In New York, a Sikh taxi driver was assaulted by a group of drunken passengers who called him racial slurs and ripped his turban off his head. Police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. (No shit.)
Sikh taxi driver assaulted, turban stolen by drunken passenger in the Bronx
25-year-old Harkirat Singh, who wears a turban and unshorn beard in observance of his Sikh faith, was driving a woman and three men in their early 20s from Madison Square Garden to the Bronx early Sunday morning when the passengers began to physically assault him and rip off his turban.
The incident began when Singh took them to their requested destination, E. 165th St. and Jerome Ave., but was then told it was the wrong location. But of course, these drunk-ass fools couldn't tell Singh where they actually wanted to go. They began shouting slurs and banging on the cab's partition.
"They're using bad words, also. They said 'Ali Baba, fuck you," Singh told the New York Daily News.
Singh pulled over and told the passengers to pay the fare, get out and find another cab. They refused, but paid up when Singh threatened to call the police. Then one of the men got back in to the cab.
According to Singh, the male passenger tried to smash the meter and then punched Singh in the arm. He also tried to rip off Singh's turban and steal his phone. Terrified, Singh pleaded with the man to calm down.
"Why are you doing this, brother? We can sit. We can talk." Singh recalled pleading with his assailant. "At that time, I'm so afraid -- they can do anything to me. They're gonna kill me."
Singh was able to take a photo of two of the passengers. The NYPD says they're only seeking the suspect who assaulted and grabbed Singh's turban, though they'd like to speak to the other passengers.
The suspect is described as a clean-shaven white Hispanic man in his 20s, around 5-foot-9 and weighing 160 lbs. He was wearing red shoes and blue jeans. He had short hair.
NYC Sikh taxi driver attacked, turban ripped off head in suspected hate crime
