Yesterday, a judge ruled that a 68-year-old Melrose woman, Joan DiTomaso, must undergo sensitivity training in response to her actions against a Muslim city councilor and her husband last year. According to WHDH, DiTomaso pushed the husband of City Councilor Maya Jamaleddine, after making a racist statement towards Jamaleddine herself.
The confrontation occurred in December 2022 and was sparked by DiTomaso's comment, telling Jamaleddine to "go back to your country." Jamaleddine's husband recorded the attack on his cellphone after confronting DiTomaso for her actions towards his wife, who was wearing a Muslim headscarf. DiTomaso later admitted to her actions in court.
Although the altercation involved racism, DiTomaso was not charged with a hate crime, but rather for allegedly assaulting Jamaleddine's husband. The judge overseeing the case determined that DiTomaso could change her attitudes and actions by enrolling in a class about the treatment of Muslims in the United States, as WHDH reported.
As noted by the Boston Globe, DiTomaso was sentenced to six months probation and given the mandate to take a course on anti-Islamophobia. She was also ordered to stay away from Councilor Jamaleddine, her husband, and their children.
Jamaleddine's husband was in court for DiTomaso's arraignment in June but was too distraught to be present this week. Councilor Jamaleddine, however, shared his thoughts with the judge during the hearing. "I couldn't believe that this person hated us for how we looked and for our religion," she read. "I felt angry and betrayed. I have lived here for most of my life and consider myself a total American."
The judge's decision articulates a hope for change in the defendant through the sensitivity training, stating, "I do think that Ms. DiTomaso is more than the worst thing she's ever done in her life," as reported by WHDH.
Councilor Jamaleddine expressed that her family could not suffer in silence and had to speak up by taking the matter to court. Despite seeking justice, she did not receive an apology from DiTomaso and continued to express concern for her family's safety. "I am just going to keep going," Jamaleddine said. "What would happen on her end, this is something I can not guarantee for you. I don't know. And I don't trust."
