14 year old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested in Irving, Texas… for bringing a homemade clock to school. The news converence, held outside the Mohammed family home, was hosted by the North Texas Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
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On Wednesday, he became an Internet sensation.
Meanwhile, The Roots’ Questlove took to Instagram to show his support.
Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed, said his son was arrested and mistreated in front of his friends and his teachers. “We live in an age that horrific things have happened in schools across this nation and, of course, we have to be cautious”. Then US President Barack Obama entered the Twittersphere.
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said, “In this instance, it’s clear that at least some of Ahmed’s teachers failed him. That’s too bad”, he said.
Ahmed said he has several inventions in the works, and hopes to study at MIT when he graduates. “Ahmed, stay curious and keep building”, Clinton tweeted.
A photo of Ahmed inside the police station with handcuffs on took social media by storm. “#IStandWithAhmed”.
Facebook co-founder Zuckerberg also shared his support.
Ahmed Mohamed, a member of the robotics club at his school in Texas, loves building electronic toys and gadgets for fun.
Mark Zuckerberg added, “Having the skill and ambition to build something cool should lead to applause, not arrest. Don’t let people change who you are, even if you get a effect for it. I suggest you still show it to people, at least show them your talent”. “#Thankyouforstandingwithme #IStandWithAhmed”.
“It made me really happy to see everyone support me on social media”, he said.
Mohamed said he wants to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and that, “I’m thinking about transferring from McArthur to any different school”. He gets a three-day suspension, while the police delves deeper into the “hoax bomb” that was actually a clock. He was freed when his parents came for him.
On Wednesday, the police announced the teenager won’t be charged.
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“The school authorities have defended the actions of their staff member in an official statement, saying that, “[We] always ask our students and staff to immediately report if they observe any suspicious items”. He did not offer further explanation, McLellan said.
