Does spray-painting “USA” on the side of a mosque constitute a hate crime?

After two drunken teens were arraigned on vandalism charges Monday, Islamic leaders demanded the Sunday incident be classified as a hate crime.

Though police in Burlington, Massachusetts are chalking it up to an alcohol-fueled prank by 18-year-olds Cameron Cappella and Derrik Demone, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has signaled “additional charges” may be possible.

How could “USA” be considered a hate crime? According to the Boston Globe, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Executive Director John Robbins “has said he believes the graffiti reflects an offensive view that Muslims are not fully American.”

When the same building was targeted with “USA” graffiti in 2013, CAIR demanded a FBI investigation.

One of the boys in the latest incident has already apologized, calling it a “prank”, according to WHDH-7 TV Boston.

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