Community activists and Sikh Represenatives addressing the press outside a NY Hospital
NEW YORK, New York (KP)-- Jasmir Singh, aged 21, who was attacked by three men early in the morning, appeared in front of a large crowd at the Elmhurst Hospital along with community leaders from different areas of New York. The attack on Jasmir Singh was openly condemned by officials who asked for police to play a greater role in stopping the growing violence.
In the short period of a week, Jasmir Singh had been the third victim of violent attacks in New York. He was attacked around 4 AM by unidentified men outside a grocery store in Queens with a glass bottle. He sustained serious injuries over his left-eye, head, face and back.
Although the police have refused to accept the case as a hate crime, Jasmir's friend who was accompanying him the morning of the attack, has already told the police that while Jasmir was being attacked, racist slurs were used as the criminals aimed at Jasmir’s beard and turban.
Speaking in front of the Elmhurst Hospital, Bhai Harpreet Singh Toor, Chairman Sikh Cultural Society, said that along with bringing the culprits to justice, everyone needed to play the role of educating every American about different religions and cultures existant in this country. He said that the United States was a classless country and everyone had the right to live peacefully.
Arnaldo Salinas, Director Guardian Angels, also spoke about educating others so that such incidents could be prevented in the future. Assemblyman José R. Peralta also condemned the incident and alleged that such crimes will not be accepted. He also encouraged the local community to start a neighborhood block association to ensure such crimes don’t take place.
Also addressing the press, an attorney from United Sikhs, who is representing Jasmir Singh, stated that this incident needed to be investigated as a hate crime. He appreciated the quick action by the police in arresting two of the three men.
