Bronx Hate Crimes on the Rise, Claim Citizens

NEW YORK—State Sen. Ruben Diaz and community leaders gathered on Tuesday to protest what they say is an increase in hate crimes against Bangladeshi Americans who live and work in Parkchester community.

In a press briefing, held on a busy street in the Bronx, Sen. Diaz said that he wishes to denounce the situation in which members of the Bangladeshi community have been abused and harassed. “We are calling on the police department to pay attention to this area and to issue more police force to this area,” he said.

“We have seen a rise in crimes that are targeting people because of their ethnic background and their religion,” said community organizer Luis Sepulveda, who arranged the press briefing. He emphasized that the Bangladeshi community is peaceful and hard working.

“Just like any other members of the community, they deserve to feel safe when they walk the streets where they live. Many of them are now fearful, because they were targeted. And so it is necessary that the community and the police department establish an environment that people are safe to walk throughout this community,” he said.

Sepulveda said that the police do not categorize these assaults as hate crimes, due to lack of evidence, but that there were more the 15 attacks on people of Bangladeshi origin since September.

Mahboub Alom, president of the Bangladesh Society of The Bronx said that the Bangladeshi community issued complaints to the police many times in the past, but were not answered with a satisfactory reply. According to Mahboub, the community asked to increase the number of police patrols, but were denied. He added that members of the community approached him, asking to “fight back,” but that he tries to lower the flames saying there are better paths to ensure rights.

Members of the community who were attacked also participated in the press briefing. Some of them showed their bruises and injuries. Some of those that were attacked needed surgery for their injuries.

Nazrul Islam Muhammad, a 36-year-old member of the Bangladesh community, told reporters how on Sept. 28, while on his way home, 15 boys jumped him and stole his money. They injured him severely. A local shop owner, intervened in the conversation to comment that even though he knows Muhammad well, on that day, his face was covered with so much blood that he could not recognize him.

Emdi Hussein is another member of the community that was attacked on Sept. 12 in front of one of the public schools in the area. Two teenagers attacked him, kicked him in the back and head and stole his money and cell phone.

After the attack Hussein went to his home, since he could not call for help, and then was taken in an ambulance to a hospital where he underwent surgery. When asked if he heard the attackers commenting on his ethnicity or religion he replied that he could not understand what they were saying.

Another incident happened to 59-year-old Abds Nabus. As Nabus was coming home from the community mosque about a month ago, kids threw a bottle at his back. In another instance, while he was praying in the mosque, kids through stones through the windows.

According to Sepulveda, in 70-80 percent of the attacks, there was no theft involved, reinforcing the claim that the attacks are hate crimes.

The NYPD has responded to The Epoch Times that there has not been a rise in bias crimes in the time period that is in question. "There is absolutely no indication of increase in bias incidents in the Bronx. Bias complaint numbers for the Patrol Borough Bronx are: As of Oct. 3 19 compared to 24 for the same period last year." According to the NYPD.