That’s practically the case with a Muslim boy named Ahmed Mohamed, 14, as he got arrested for his home-made clock invention. The clock was brought in school and it wasn’t long until police came to the establishment to arrest and question him about a reported bomb.
It was in his 6th period when he was taken toa room where the principal and five (5) policemen were waiting for him. They searched his belongings, questioned him, and was even threatened to be expelled if he didn’t make a written statement.
And so, Ahmed explains what happened through this video:
He was kept in a detention facility, released some time after, and was continually investegated upon, further leading to charges of hoax bomb.
It’s heartbreaking when you simply do something out of passion, and within legal rights, then end up getting arrested for a negative perception brought about by others. Obviously, it was a stupid play of ignorance mixed with a racist, and even religious, perception. And as the internet is nowadays, this got so much attention and people were not too happy about what happened, and showed support for the boy, with Obama, Zuckerberg, Pharrel, Twitter, and other known entities leading the way.
Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It’s what makes America great.
— President Obama (@POTUS) September 16, 2015
Hey Ahmed- we’re saving a seat for you at this weekend’s Google Science Fair…want to come? Bring your clock! #IStandwithAhmed
— Google Science Fair (@googlescifair) September 16, 2015
Hi @IStandWithAhmed, we ? building things at @twitter too. Would you consider interning with us? We’d love it — DM us! #IStandWithAhmed
— Twitter (@twitter) September 16, 2015
Ahmed, it’s innovative, curious, bright minds like yours who move humanity forward. You are our future. Keep inventing! #IStandWithAhmed
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) September 16, 2015
You’ve probably seen the story about Ahmed, the 14 year old student in Texas who built a clock and was arrested when he…
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday, September 16, 2015