Latest news with #Erkan
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-Israel agitator charged in violent hate crime attack on two Jewish college students
An Illinois man has been charged in the violent hate crime attack on two Jewish students at DePaul University last year. Adam Erkan, 20, is facing four felony charges, including two counts of hate crime and two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Prosecutors allege that Erkan attacked Max Long and Michael Kaminsky while the pair were peacefully advocating for Israel on DePaul University's campus in Chicago on Nov. 6. Authorities said at the time that they were also looking for a second suspect. Attacked Jewish Students In Chicago Speak Out About 'War On College Campuses' Erkan, who was not a student at the university, allegedly approached Long while wearing a face-covering and making antisemitic slurs, according to police. A second suspect then struck Long from behind and eventually turned on Kaminsky when he attempted to step in to help, police said. The Cook County Prosecutor's Office and Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Read On The Fox News App Erkan's father identified him to police after surveillance footage captured Erkan fleeing the scene in a 2011 Silver Toyota RAV-4, according to prosecutors. Harvard Under Fire As Dhs Secretary Cuts $2.7M In Grants, Demands Visa Records: 'America Demands More' Authorities were able to obtain video footage of the incident, and police are still searching for the second suspect. Fox News Digital was unable to locate an attorney representing Erkan. Long, an Israeli Defense Forces reservist, lost consciousness and suffered a brain injury from the attack, while Kaminsky sustained a fractured wrist and required surgery. Princeton President Vows Not To Cave To Trump, Yet Acknowledges Antisemitism On Campus "It's definitely some sense of relief," Long said, adding, "I've said many times, I felt safer having the support of my team in the army around me in Gaza than I do a lot of times on my own college campus in Chicago." Erkan was arrested outside his home earlier this week and made his first appearance in court on Thursday. A judge ordered Erkan to be held without bail as he awaits trial. Ivy League Anti-israel Ringleader Mahmoud Khalil Denies Allegations As Judge Awaits Deportation Evidence "We are extremely grateful for the work of the police who investigated this case and apprehended the suspect," DePaul University officials said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The suspect is not a member of the DePaul community. Acts of hate and violence have no place at DePaul. We condemn antisemitism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with those affected by this reprehensible act." Earlier this month, Long and Kaminsky filed a lawsuit alongside The Lawfare Project against DePaul University, alleging that officials allowed antisemitic rhetoric to infiltrate the campus. "We appreciate the work the Chicago Police Department did to identify and apprehend this suspect, and expect the State Attorney to vigorously prosecute this as the conspiracy and hate crime attack it was," Gerard Filitti, The Lawfare Project Senior Counsel, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We have every confidence that the second attacker will be apprehended shortly. As the judge made clear at yesterday's hearing, the evidence shows a plan to attack Max and Michael, and its methodical implementation. It is highly significant that the defendant, Adam Erkan, was denied bail, clearly signaling that he remains a danger to the Jewish community, and setting an important precedent in the prosecution of hate crimes." Fox News' Max Bacall and Mike Tobin contributed to this report. Original article source: Anti-Israel agitator charged in violent hate crime attack on two Jewish college students
Fox News
18-04-2025
- Fox News
Anti-Israel agitator charged in violent hate crime attack on two Jewish college students
An Illinois man has been charged in the violent hate crime attack on two Jewish students at DePaul University last year. Adam Erkan, 20, is facing four felony charges, including two counts of hate crime and two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Prosecutors allege that Erkan attacked Max Long and Michael Kaminsky while the pair were peacefully advocating for Israel on DePaul University's campus in Chicago on Nov. 6. Authorities said at the time that they were also looking for a second suspect. Erkan, who was not a student at the university, allegedly approached Long while wearing a face-covering and making antisemitic slurs, according to police. A second suspect then struck Long from behind and eventually turned on Kaminsky when he attempted to step in to help, police said. The Cook County Prosecutor's Office and Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Erkan's father identified him to police after surveillance footage captured Erkan fleeing the scene in a 2011 Silver Toyota RAV-4, according to prosecutors. Authorities were able to obtain video footage of the incident, and police are still searching for the second suspect. Fox News Digital was unable to locate an attorney representing Erkan. Long, an Israeli Defense Forces reservist, lost consciousness and suffered a brain injury from the attack, while Kaminsky sustained a fractured wrist and required surgery. "It's definitely some sense of relief," Long said, adding, "I've said many times, I felt safer having the support of my team in the army around me in Gaza than I do a lot of times on my own college campus in Chicago." Erkan was arrested outside his home earlier this week and made his first appearance in court on Thursday. A judge ordered Erkan to be held without bail as he awaits trial. "We are extremely grateful for the work of the police who investigated this case and apprehended the suspect," DePaul University officials said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The suspect is not a member of the DePaul community. Acts of hate and violence have no place at DePaul. We condemn antisemitism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with those affected by this reprehensible act." Earlier this month, Long and Kaminsky filed a lawsuit alongside The Lawfare Project against DePaul University, alleging that officials allowed antisemitic rhetoric to infiltrate the campus. "We appreciate the work the Chicago Police Department did to identify and apprehend this suspect, and expect the State Attorney to vigorously prosecute this as the conspiracy and hate crime attack it was," Gerard Filitti, The Lawfare Project Senior Counsel, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We have every confidence that the second attacker will be apprehended shortly. As the judge made clear at yesterday's hearing, the evidence shows a plan to attack Max and Michael, and its methodical implementation. It is highly significant that the defendant, Adam Erkan, was denied bail, clearly signaling that he remains a danger to the Jewish community, and setting an important precedent in the prosecution of hate crimes."
CBS News
17-04-2025
- CBS News
Man charged in hate crime attack on 2 Jewish students at DePaul University to stay in jail
The man accused of a hate crime attack on two Jewish students at DePaul University last fall was ordered held in jail while he awaits trial. Adam Erkan, 20, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of hate crime. He made his first court appearance on Thursday, when a Cook County judge ordered him detained. Prosecutors said they have video evidence and cell phone data that links Erkan to the scene of the attack on Nov. 6 in front of the student center on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus. Max Long, a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces, has said he was leading a campus discussion about the war between Israel and Hamas, when he was attacked by two masked men. Michael Kaminsky, a founding member of the DePaul chapter of Students Standing with Israel, has said he stepped in to help Long, and also was injured in the attack. According to a Chicago police arrest report, both Kaminsky and Long were wearing clothing that clearly identified them as Jewish. Kaminsky was wearing a "Bring Them Home" necklace referring to Israelis held hostage by Hamas, and Long was wearing a sweater that said "Curb Your Antisemitism" and a sign that said, "Come talk about Israel with an IDF soldier." Police said Erkan approached Long while wearing a black ski mask and began talking to him about Israel, while his accomplice came up from behind and began beating Long, causing a concussion. When Kaminsky stepped in to help, Erkan allegedly attacked him, causing a fractured wrist. Police said Erkan and his accomplice shouted antisemitic remarks during the attack. Erkan allegedly drove there in a car owned by his father, who identified him as one of the two men who attacked Long and Kaminsky Police were still searching for the second attacker. Erkan's father, visiting from New Jersey, didn't want to speak about his son's case, but stood in support of his son as he faced a judge for the first time on Thursday. "As a victim of a hate crime, and a heinous hate crime, the biggest challenge is not looking over my shoulder, wondering, 'Hey, is my safety going to be at risk?'" Kaminsky said. Kaminsky said the attack left him with a fractured wrist. Long suffered a concussion in the attack and might require surgery. "It's definitely a process. It's a with the physical injuries; but also the, you know, the psychological side," Long said. Prosecutors said phone call data shows Erkan shared three calls with the other attacker on the day of the incident, and video shows video Erkan getting out of a silver Toyota Rav4 without a mask after traveling to DePaul's campus from Hoffman Estates. The other attacker came from Tinley Park. Defense attorneys said Erkan is a student at Triton College, where he is studying cybersecurity and a few credits short of graduation. Attorneys said Erkan does not have a previous criminal record. He was due back in court on April 22. "One of the more important things is speaking out, and really making sure that this does not get brushed under the rug, because this is happening all over the country," Long said. Meantime, Long and Kaminsky have filed a civil lawsuit against DePaul , accusing the university of failing to protect them from the attack. They have said a DePaul public safety officer was standing just 10 feet away from them at the time of the attack, but did nothing to stop it. Their lawsuit also claims Long had complained to school officials about being harassed and threatened at earlier campus discussions about the war between Israel and Hamas. Nonetheless, Long and Kaminsky said DePaul canceled a contract it had with a private security firm to help secure its campus just two days before the attack, and did not replace them with other equivalent safety measures, only to rehire the private security firm after the attack.
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Arclight Digital Uses Advanced ADA Website Compliance Solution to Safeguard Businesses
Las Vegas, NV - March 31, 2025 - Arclight Digital, a leading provider of digital accessibility solutions, has been utilizing an AI-driven website compliance tool designed to help businesses meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. As digital accessibility lawsuits continue to rise, this solution offers immediate ADA compliance remediation for non-compliant websites, reducing legal risks and improving web accessibility for users with disabilities. According to industry data, 98% of websites are not fully accessible, leaving businesses vulnerable to legal action under ADA Title III. Arclight Digital's compliance solution integrates seamlessly into existing websites, providing real-time accessibility improvements without requiring extensive manual adjustments. Proactive Compliance for Legal Protection In recent years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reinforced website accessibility requirements, emphasizing that businesses must ensure their online platforms are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Legal cases, such as Erkan v. David A. Hidalgo, M.D., P.C., have demonstrated that implementing ADA compliance solutions can help businesses mitigate legal risks. 'Web accessibility is no longer optional—it's a legal and ethical responsibility,' said Scott Kindred, President of Arclight Digital. 'Our solution allows businesses to take proactive steps to achieve compliance, enhancing usability for all visitors while reducing exposure to lawsuits.' Key Features of Arclight Digital's ADA Compliance Solution Potential Tax Benefits for Businesses In addition to ensuring compliance, businesses may qualify for ADA website compliance tax credits under Section 44 of the IRS Code. This provides an opportunity for eligible companies to offset costs associated with accessibility improvements. Addressing the Growing Need for Digital Accessibility With 20% of the population experiencing some form of disability, inclusive web design has become a critical component of online business success. Arclight Digital's solution not only helps companies comply with legal requirements but also enhances the user experience for millions of individuals who rely on accessible websites. Learn More About Website ADA Compliance For businesses seeking to improve website accessibility and reduce legal risks, visit Arclight Digital to explore the compliance solution. Arclight Digital is a Las Vegas-based technology company specializing in digital accessibility solutions. By leveraging AI-powered technology, the company provides businesses with effective tools to achieve ADA and WCAG compliance, ensuring websites are accessible to all users. Media Contact
