Former State Department Official Arrested for Hate Crime After Harassing Halal Food Vendor

A former state department official, Stuart Seldowitz, has been arrested and charged with racial harassment and stalking as a hate crime after he was filmed berating a street vendor in Manhattan with Islamophobic comments. The vendor, Mohammed Hussein, received an outpouring of support from customers as he returned to work. Seldowitz repeatedly harassed Hussein, calling him a "terrorist" and making derogatory remarks about Islam. The incident was captured on video and widely denounced by political leaders. Seldowitz's employer cut ties with him, and a lobbying firm offered to represent Hussein pro bono. Seldowitz claimed the vendor had instigated the incidents, but later admitted to overreacting and expressed regret.