CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Assault on Asian-American Man in Astoria, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe

Photos courtesy of NYPD

(NEW YORK, NY, 7/15/2022)—The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today condemned the alleged racist assault of an Asian-American who was reportedly accosted and headbutted by another man as he stood on a sidewalk in Astoria, Queens.   

According to police, the 22-year-old victim was standing in front of 34-27 Steinway Street at approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening when the alleged assailant approached him, began shouting anti-Asian slurs, then headbutted him without provocation, causing the victim to suffer a chipped tooth. The alleged assailant then left the scene. The NYPD is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.   

SEE: Asian American Man Headbutted on Steinway Street in Bias Attack: NYPD  

Anyone with information about this incident should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (English) or 1-888-57-PISTA (Spanish).    

Afaf Nasher, Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement:

“CAIR-NY is appalled at the alarming increase in racist, violent acts targeting Asian Americans and we emphatically condemn this latest, sickening attack, which is the second alleged assault on an Asian-American this week. We commend the NYPD for investigating this incident as a possible hate crime and urge them to prioritize the search for the alleged assailant before he harms others. 

“This onslaught of hate directed at our Asian-American brothers and sisters cannot continue. We implore the NYPD and other city agencies to work with the Asian-American community to determine how we, as a city, can better serve and protect them.”  

She added that CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging racial supremacy, religious bigotry, xenophobia, and all other forms of hatred.     

CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:     

SEE:         

• CAIR-NY Condemns Alleged Anti-Asian Assault, Welcomes Hate Crime Charges in 2 Other Alleged Anti-Asian Assaults

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Trio That Left Racist, Nazi-Inspired Pamphlets in Hornell Churches, Urges Hate Crime Probe

• CAIR-NY Condemns Threats Spray-Painted on Manhattan Church Door; Welcomes Arrest, Hate Crime Charges for Man Who Drew Swastikas in Monsey Synagogue

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest, Hate Crime Charges for Man Who Allegedly Shoved and Threatened a Jewish Man in Brooklyn

• CAIR-NY Condemns Alleged Snatching of Jewish Boy’s Yarmulke by Man in Brooklyn

• CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Assault on Two Asian American Teenage Girls on Staten Island Bus

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Racist Who Allegedly Harassed, Threatened Black Pastor and Son in Newburgh

• CAIR-NY Condemns Assault, Robbery of Hispanic Man in Queens, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe

CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com