2015 September 16 US Congressman Mike Honda on student Ahmed Mohamed



2015 September 16 US Congressman Mike Honda on student Ahmed Mohamed

United States House of Representatives

US Congressman Mike Honda

September 16, 2015

Mike Honda in San Jose, California

September 16 at 7:55am

14-year old 9th grade student Ahmed Mohamed - while wearing his NASA t-shirt - was handcuffed and escorted from school for bringing a homemade clock to school.

As a former science teacher and principal, Ahmed could have been one of my students. His arrest and suspension is deeply troubling. I believe no one should be unfairly treated because of skin color, heritage or unfounded suspicion.

It was unfounded suspicion that led to the internment of over 100,000 Americans of Japanese descent, including me and my family, after Pearl Harbor.

After 9/11, I took to the House floor to speak against the fear mongering and discrimination facing the Muslim American Community.

Ahmed's arrest is yet another troubling story of how a student's good work can be overshadowed by preexisting views outside his control.