The voicemail on Morshida Islam's phone several days ago sounded like it might be a political fundraiser at first, with a friendly voice introducing himself as a supporter of presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“Hello Morshida, this is John C. Giles calling on behalf of the Donald Trump association,” a man said.
But within seconds, the message turned ugly and profane.
“I was just calling to see if I can get your support. And so we can get all the foreigners out of the country and f*** 'em.”
Islam has lived with her family in Lacey for more than 25 years. She said she has no idea how the caller got her name and number or why they targeted her. But she says their message left her frightened for her family and especially her young son.
“I don’t know if that person knows where I live or anything. It’s just really scary, if they’re watching me or not,” Islam said.
There were two voices on the message. And the men went on using profanities to slur Muslims, telling Islam she should leave the United States.
“F*** ‘m. Yeah, f*** ‘em,” the two repeated.
“F*** the Islamic community too, one said.”
“Yeah, move back,” the other added.
“That had nothing to do with your last name by the way,” said the first voice on the call. “We had nothing to do with your last name.”
“Yeah,” the second voice added. “Get out of here anyway. Yeah, seriously.”
The 45 second call went on to mock Islam’s name with profanities.
“Bye bye Morshida. Vote for Donald Trump,” said one.
“More like bull*****,” said the second voice as the two laughed.
“***lam bull*****, that’s your name lady.”
Islam’s daughter, Yasmin Christopher, helped her report the message to Lacey police, and post it online, saying she thought it was important for people to hear.
“I think it’s what I refer to as the Trump effect,” Christopher said.
Christopher says she believes the two men probably have nothing to do with the campaign for Donald Trump, but she feels his rhetoric contributes to an anti-Islamic attitude among his followers.
“I think he’s just opened the space up for people to feel like they can say and do things like that. He’s just reinvigorated this very hateful side of certain people,” Christopher said.
Don Benton, with Trump’s Washington state campaign, office denounced the call, saying he thinks it could have come from Trump opponents trying to smear his name. Benton went on to say the call was “unacceptable.”
Cox Media Group
