A Darien woman has been charged with a hate crime after an altercation at a Panera Bread restaurant in Downers Grove, Illinois, where she confronted a man over his sweatshirt that had “Palestine” written on it.
Authorities say the situation escalated quickly, leading to aggressive behavior toward the man and his pregnant wife.
The Confrontation at Panera Bread
The confrontation occurred on Saturday, November 16, 2024, when 64-year-old Alexandra Szustakiewicz approached Waseem Zahran, who was wearing the “Palestine” sweatshirt.
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Szustakiewicz yelled profanities at Zahran and allegedly attempted to knock the phone from his wife’s hands as she recorded the incident.
The couple subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to Szustakiewicz’s arrest the following day, Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Zahran told the Chicago Sun-Times that he tried to de-escalate the situation, but Szustakiewicz grew more aggressive, allegedly striking him in the face and attempting to throw hot coffee at his pregnant wife. 
Despite being informed that his wife was expecting, Szustakiewicz reportedly responded, “I don’t care.” During the confrontation, Szustakiewicz also allegedly shouted, “F— Palestine and F— you.”
Legal Consequences
Szustakiewicz is charged with two felony hate crime charges and one misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct.
A judge has ordered her to avoid contact with the victims and to stay away from the Panera Bread location where the altercation took place. Her next court appearance is set for December 16, 2024.
Downers Grove Police Chief Michael DeVries said that this kind of behavior “will not be tolerated” in the community, stressing that everyone should be treated with respect.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin echoed these sentiments, stressing that there is no place for prejudice in society.
Victim Speaks Out
Zahran, a Palestinian American, shared that this was not the first time he or his family had faced harassment related to their identity. “Since I was a child, I’ve seen my mom threatened, parents screamed at, cousins yelled at. But it was a first for me to be attacked,” he explained.
He also expressed his frustration, saying, “I was not able to take my wife out for lunch simply because I was Palestinian.”
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