The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced on Friday that one man was arrested after committing an alleged hate crime on a Jewish man.
The NYPD tweeted that the man, identified as 23-year-old Waseem Awawdeh, was charged “hate crime assault 2, gang assault 2, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon.”
During last night’s demonstration in Midtown Manhattan, 23-year-old Waseem Awawdeh was arrested for using a crutch to assault a man in front of 1604 Broadway. He’s been charged with hate crime assault 2, gang assault 2, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon. pic.twitter.com/48ydYMfGSi
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 21, 2021
Police also said that a hate crime investigation is underway after a woman was injured by professional-grade fireworks.
The incident, which was caught on camera from several angles, took place during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Midtown Manhattan that turned violent after demonstrators started to physically threaten and injure Jewish onlookers.
Breaking: Palestinian protestors throw explosive device at Jewish Americans working at New York’s diamond district in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/9iyQBwUac9
— Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) May 21, 2021
HAPPENING NOW: Palestinian harassment fleet drives by Jews in Manhattan, threatening violence while screaming antisemitic slurs.
See next tweet for proof of the firebomb one of them threw at a Jewish target and their subsequent arrest on the scene.#AntiZionismIsAntisemitism pic.twitter.com/3t5KAIMKtN
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 20, 2021
Pro-Palestinian activists, who were part of a vehicle convoy, hurled anti-Semitic expletives at Jewish onlookers and lobbed incendiary devices at police and Jewish people who gathered in the area. Footage of the violence was uploaded to social media, with pro-Palestinian protesters seen yelling “f*ck you Jews.”
Violence condemned by governor
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statement the day after the violent incident, wherein he condemned the “brutal attacks” on “visibly Jewish New Yorkers.”
I unequivocally condemn these brutal attacks on visibly Jewish New Yorkers.
NY is home to people from all faiths & backgrounds—everyone must be able to walk the streets safely.
I am directing the @nyspolice Hate Crimes Task Force to offer their assistance in the investigation. pic.twitter.com/WQJp7pTYHC
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 21, 2021
Cuomo would then highlight the city’s well-known diversity, saying: “New York is the vibrant and dynamic home for people from around the world. This tapestry makes New York the extraordinary place that it is.
“Those of all faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities must be able to walk the streets safely and free from harassment and violence. Justice need to be done and I am directing the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to offer their assistance in the investigation of these attacks.”
Story cited here.