Congresswoman Ramirez Statement on the Verdict of the Wadee Alfayoumi Murder Trial

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement after a jury found Joseph Czuba guilty of the murder of Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, and the wounding of his mother, Ms. Hanan Shaheen, in a hate crime. 

"Today, there is a measure of justice in Joseph Czuba’s conviction. It is both a step towards accountability for Wadee’s death and a powerful message that hate-driven violence against Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims will not be tolerated. We thank the jury, the judge, and all the advocates for their service. 

Each day since October 14, 2023, I have sought to honor the memory of Wadee Alfayoumi, a sweet six-year-old child. His murder affirmed my long-standing conviction that words matter. And that we, as elected officials, have an obligation to hold ourselves to the highest standards and work to end all forms of bigotry so that no children, families, or communities suffer as a result of hateful rhetoric.

While the trial has concluded, the fight is not over. We must address dehumanization, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric. And those who spew it must be held accountable for the impact of their recklessness. In this case, a six-year-old child was murdered because of dangerous anti-Palestinian rhetoric. But there are so many examples of children put at risk by the misinformation, hate speech, and propaganda that fuel these kinds of heinous attacks. As we start the holy time of Ramadan, may we all reflect on how we build communities free of hateful rhetoric and bigotry.”