In a video posted on social media, an African American passenger is seen shouting antisemitic insults at a Chabad-Lubavitch Hasid before grabbing him by the neck; 'I realized this could end in death'
The Yeshiva World reported that shortly after the train departed Manhattan, two men, believed to be a father and son, entered the subway car and began directing antisemitic slurs and insults at the young Jewish men. One of the victims took out his cellphone to record the encounter, saying he feared for his safety and wanted documentation for police.
(Video: social media)
The verbal harassment quickly escalated into physical violence. One of the attackers grabbed the Chabad Hasid by the neck, and the assault included punches, kicks and shoving inside a crowded train car, according to reports. Bystanders intervened only minimally.
“The moment the younger of the two realized I was recording, he attacked me,” one victim said. Another Chabad Hasid began filming the incident from several feet away, and that footage later circulated on social media.
According to The Yeshiva World, the Haredi passengers fled the train in panic one stop before Crown Heights. “I realized this could end in death,” one of them said. “I quickly put the phone in my pocket, but the camera kept recording. You can hear everything.”
After leaving the train, the victims ran to a nearby police station and filed a complaint against the attackers.