"hatred continues to remain in our society"
A US Indian taxi driver was assaulted by a complete stranger in a suspected case of hate crime.
The perpetrator also knocked off the man’s turban and swore at him outside JFK Airport in New York.
A video of the attack, filmed by a bystander, was shared on social media.
It showed a man hitting and punching the taxi driver next to his cab in what is believed to be an instance of road rage.
The man is about to return to his vehicle before launching another attack on the victim, shouting at him and knocking off his turban.
The man eventually returns to his car.
The video was shared by Navjot Pal Kaur. She wrote:
“This video was taken by a bystander at John F Kennedy International Airport.
“I do not own the rights to this video. But I just wanted to highlight the fact that hatred continues to remain in our society and unfortunately I’ve seen Sikh cab drivers get assaulted again and again.”
It’s not enough to say that we need to fight AAPI hate. We actually need our elected officials to get involved with consequences for those who commit acts of violence against our community. @GregMeeksNYC @NYCMayor @AdrienneToYou @yuhline @rontkim pic.twitter.com/Dkk23lQw0g
— Navjot Pal Kaur (@navjotpkaur) January 4, 2022
The video led to shocked reactions.
One person said: “Just horrendous stuff. I hope that cab driver is alright.
“These attacks have never ended, have only gotten worse, and continue to scare our NYC metro AAPI community.
“It always hurts my heart and I worry for my family and others.”
Simran Jeet Singh, author and Director for the Aspen Institute’s Inclusive America Project, tweeted:
“Another Sikh cab driver assaulted. This one at JFK Airport in NYC. So upsetting to see.”
“But it’s crucial that we don’t look away. What I am sure of is how painful it is to watch our fathers and elders get assaulted while they’re just trying to live an honest life.
“For those who aren’t Sikh, I can’t put into words what it means to have your turban knocked off – or to see someone else’s turban knocked off.
“It’s visceral and gut-wrenching and just so disheartening to witness.”
It is not known whether the police have been informed.
The National Sikh Campaign said: “We are only a few days into the new year and there has already been a hate crime committed against a Sikh.
“A bystander recorded an unidentified man attacking a Sikh taxi driver, ultimately knocking off the driver’s turban.
“No additional details have been released outside of the video, but we know this story too well.
“A Sikh person goes about their daily lives only to be senselessly attacked by someone.
“Common road rage between people can escalate when someone who is ignorant of who we are takes their disdain for our turbans and becomes violent.”
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