Justice Department issues post-9/11 directive against backlash discrimination

After the September 11 attacks, the Justice Department issues guidance and public statements warning against backlash violence and discrimination targeting Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian communities. Federal officials say hate crimes and discrimination will be prosecuted. The warnings come as people perceived to be Muslim or Middle Eastern face harassment, assaults, workplace discrimination, and surveillance. Federal civil rights offices begin tracking backlash incidents. Racial and religious profiling after 9/11 becomes a major civil rights issue involving national security, immigration, policing, and hate crimes.