Hispanic man alleges acid attacker accused him of 'invading the US'

A Hispanic man named Mahud Villalaz has alleged that a man who attacked him with battery acid accused him of invading the US. A 61-year-old white man who is a suspect of the attack was arrested by the Milwaukee police arrested on November 4. The case is being investigated as a hate crime. Though the Police have denied revealing the identity of the man, local media has named the man as Clifton A. Blackwell, a military veteran whose mother said he had struggled with post-traumatic stress.

State court records show Blackwell was convicted in a 2006 Rusk County case of false imprisonment and pointing a gun at a person which brings in the fact that he has a history of violence. Blackwell's mother claimed that he was in Milwaukee for treatment and had hoped that he was safe. CCTV video shows that the entire confrontation with no audio. The victim, Mahud Villalaz has suffered second-degree burns to his face. The 42-year-old explained that the accused was arguing with him over parking of their car when he made the racist statement and attacked him. Villalaz is a US citizen who migrated from Peru. 

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'Hate crimes are a result of political rhetoric'

Researchers and experts have said that such hate crimes are a result of the mainstream political rhetoric. Speaking on the incident, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett expressed shock at the attack and blamed President Donald Trump for inciting hatred against minorities. Mexican border wall and Trump's statements ever since he started his election campaign has led to the scenario, he blamed. Barrett who is a democrat said singling out a Hispanic man is wrong and that people feel they have the right to say so only because they are influenced by Trump. On the other hand, White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement that the Trump administration has repeatedly condemned racism, bigotry, and violence. He added that the accused is the only person who should be held responsible and that its disgusting that the mayor is dragging Trump into it. 

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An Anti-Defamation League report claims extreme anti-immigrant views have become part of the political mainstream in recent years through sharp rhetoric by anti-immigration groups and politicians, including Trump. The FBI data showed a 17% increase in hate crimes across the US in 2017, the third annual increase in a row which includes anti-Hispanic incidents increased 24%, from 344 in 2016 to 427 in 2017. A study released by Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University-San Bernardino found a 9% increase in hate crimes reported to police in major US cities in 2018. 

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