An attack on a Muslim man in New York that the victim caught on video is being prosecuted as a hate crime, District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Monday.
David Grinblat, 34, is accused of repeatedly plummeting his victim while making anti-Muslim remarks.
The New York Post identified the victim as Sheharyar Ali Kazmi, 25, who pursued the alleged attacker while videotaping him with his cell phone. The man he followed eventually stopped and attacked Kazmi while being filmed. Kazmi made his video available to the Post.
According to Reuters, Kazmi accused his attacker of calling him a “terrorist” and saying he wanted “death to Muslims.”
Kazmi suffered cuts to his ear and swelling and pain to his face and ears. It happened August 5 in Midtown when he said he was just talking on the phone. Kazmi followed the man into a subway station when the man resumed his attack on him.
Grinblat who was arrested three days later at his home. He pleaded not guilty and his out on bail.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All donations are tax deductible and can be made here.
Last day to get tickets for our fundraiser Up Close with Connie Chung, America’s first Asian American to anchor a nightly network newscast. The in-depth conversation with Connie will be held tonight, November 14 at 7:30 at Columbia University’s Milbank Chapel in the Teacher’s College. All proceeds benefit AsAmNews.