NYPD Probes Alleged Bias Incident: Father and Toddler Attacked, Accused of Hamas Support
NYPD investigates bias incident after father and toddler attacked in Brooklyn, wrongly accused of supporting Hamas New York police probe alleged assault and false accusations against the victims
The New York police are currently investigating a potential "bias incident" involving a father who claims that he and his 18-month-old son were assaulted in Brooklyn on Monday. They were falsely accused of supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas. According to Ashish Prashar, 40, the incident occurred at a Brooklyn basketball court where a woman verbally attacked them, threw her coffee at him, and eventually physically assaulted him.
Prashar, wearing a keffiyeh, stated that the woman became agitated when his toddler innocently engaged with her young son. Prashar perceived it as a playful interaction between the children. In an attempt to diffuse the situation, he decided to record the irate woman with his phone, with hopes that the presence of the camera would pacify her. However, upon catching sight of the camera, the woman reacted violently.
Prashar expressed that his primary objective was safeguarding his son. Initially, he was taken aback when the woman labeled him as a terrorist, but the situation progressively deteriorated, becoming more severe. His priority became ensuring the safety of his son by maintaining a secure distance. Prashar managed to record a video on his mobile phone, capturing the moment when the woman hurled her phone at him. He further revealed that this incident transpired shortly before she flung a cup of scalding coffee at both him and his son.
On March 24, 2019, in New York, United States, demonstrators took to the streets with banners to protest against Islamophobia in the aftermath of the Christchurch attacks in New Zealand. The demonstration was attended by Halil Mutlu, Co-Chair of the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC). The photo captures the powerful moment of the protest. (Photo by Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu/Getty Images
CAIR received an unprecedented 1,283 reports of anti-Arab and Islamophobic bias in the last month, new data shows
Prashar recounted how he was startled when the woman abruptly hurled her scalding coffee at him. He had recently laid his son down, and the thought of the projectile potentially hitting his little boy left him completely astounded. In response, a concerned onlooker approached Prashar to ensure he was alright, causing the woman to swiftly snatch her child and hastily retreat from the scene.
Prashar's son remained unharmed, although Prashar himself reported sustaining scrapes and bruises as a result of the woman's open-hand strikes and her attempts to forcefully snatch his phone while he was recording.
According to a spokesperson, the New York Police Department is currently investigating the incident as a potential bias incident but has yet to apprehend a suspect.
Muslims, Palestinians, and Jews residing in the US express growing concerns over hate-motivated assaults amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East. In response to a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,400 individuals, Israel initiated a military offensive against the group. Subsequently, Israeli strikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of over 10,000 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, citing sources from the Hamas-controlled region.
Prashar, having a significant advantage over many victims, reported the incident to the police while possessing video evidence supporting the alleged assault.
"I want this to end," expressed Prashar. "I cannot bear the thought of a child being stabbed 23 times in Illinois. Nor do I wish for my own child to experience the danger of scalding hot coffee. Furthermore, I strongly oppose any such incidents occurring to anyone else. When I witness the suffering of children in Gaza, it resonates deeply within me, as if it were my own child."
The incident was denounced by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who deemed it representative of the irrational fear and prejudice that arose in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
The executive director of CAIRs New York chapter, Afaf Nasher, strongly condemns the despicable act of attacking a father and his young son. She urges law enforcement authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate and apprehend the suspect involved. These acts of bigotry must come to an end. According to the NYPD, a bias incident is defined as an offense that is primarily driven by prejudice based on factors such as race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation.
In October, the hate crimes task force of the department investigated a total of 101 bias incidents, which is 124% higher than the previous year's number of 45, as reported by the NYPD. This count includes 69 investigations relating to potential antisemitic crimes and eight potential anti-Muslim incidents. According to CAIR, on a national level, there have been 1,283 complaints of Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias received since Hamas raided Israel on October 7, indicating a 216% increase compared to the same period last year.
