When: Monday August 8, 2016 at 1:00pm
Where: Front steps of Queens Criminal Court 125-01 Queens Blvd Kew Gardens, NY 11415
What: Gazi Rahman, victim of a hate crime will be joined by his attorney Ali Najmi, Esq. and leaders of the South Asian and Queens community in front of the steps of Queens Criminal Court 125-01 Queens Blvd. on Monday August 8th at 1:00 pm to call on the Queens District Attorney to prosecute an assault committed against Gazi Rahman as a hate crime.
Gazi Rahman, a Bangladeshi immigrant and resident of Jamaica, Queens, was viciously assaulted by a random stranger later identified as Christopher Porr. The assault occurred on Hillside Avenue near Parsons Blvd. in Jamaica. Mr. Rahman while subject to racial epithets about his ethnicity during the assault. Mr. Rahman was wrongfully arrested at the scene by the NYPD for assaulting Mr. Porr. Mr. Rahman suffered a broken nose and lacerations to his face during the assault.
In an investigation lead by Mr. Rahman’s attorney, Ali Najmi, surveillance footage was discovered which completely exonerates Mr. Rahman and shows Mr. Porr acting as an unprovoked aggressor.
Witness statements from those present at the scene were also obtained. Witnesses have stated Mr. Porr screamed out “f**k Indians” while committing the assault. Witnesses also provided pictures of Mr. Rahman drenched in his own blood and substantial blood on the ground.
“I am confident all charges against Mr. Rahman will be dismissed. But we need to make everyone in our community feels safe. This assault needs to be treated as a hate crime and we need to make sure people who commit hate crimes are held accountable” said Ali Najmi, attorney for Mr. Rahman
Video footage of the incident will be provided to the press at the press conference.
