A 61-year-old Florida woman faces a hate crime charge after authorities say she intentionally left pork products on the ground outside a Muslim-owned grocery store.
Christine Fernandez was arrested on June 22 and officially charged two days later with harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage. According to Port St. Lucie Police Department spokesman Lt. Joe Norkus, the charge is classified as a hate crime under Florida law.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 30 outside a store specializing in Middle Eastern groceries, which is owned by Hiba Sharef. Surveillance footage from the establishment allegedly captured Fernandez placing pork products on the sidewalk near the entrance. Dietary laws in Islam strictly forbid the consumption of pork…