4.09.2010
five asian women attacked in manhattan "hate crime spree"
In New York, at least five Asian women on the Lower East Side have been the victims of assaults over the last ten days. The New York City Police Department is calling it a "hate crime spree": Asian women targeted in Lower Manhattan.
All of the victims -- all Asian women between 50 to 71 years old -- were attacked in lower Manhattan within a nine-block area in and around the Baruch Houses. Robbery does not appear to be a motive in the assaults.
Surveillance video, above, shows five teens staking out and entering the scene of one attack that happened on March 31 at the Gompers Houses at 90 Pitt Street. Two of the teens are female; three are male. The victim was a 50-year-old woman.
In the most recent incident, a 68-year-old woman was assaulted on Tuesday in front of 247 East Broadway at about 11:00pm. At least the authorities are acknowledging that these attacks are indeed hate crimes. More here: NYPD Seeks Suspects In LES Bias Attacks.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is looking for the attackers. Anyone with information on the attackers is urged to contact police at (800) 577-847. You can also text your tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. Or visit nypdcrimestoppers.com.