Solidarity rally held in Queens following attacks on members of Sikh community
NEW YORK -- Police have charged two men with hate crimes after brutal and unprovoked attacks on Sikh men in Queens.
The attacks took place just within the last two weeks and have left the tight-knit community reeling.
Dozens of neighbors and community leaders gathered Thursday, calling for unity on the corner of 101st Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard, several blocks away from where the recent attacks of three Sikh men took place.
"We want to make sure that this hate is no more. This hate does not belong in our city, does not belong in our state, does not belong in our country," rally organizer Japneet Singh said.
Two victims who were attacked said it happened as they were on their way to work around 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Gulzar Singh still has stitches and a black eye. He told CBS2's Thalia Perez through a translator he is suffering from anxiety.
"He said that he's still scared to leave his house and, you know, you never know when he's gonna get attacked again," the translator said.
A third victim, Nirmal Singh, suffered a broken nose. Police say that attack happened on April 3 near the same intersection at 95th Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. The 70-year-old was on his way to the Sikh Cultural Society.
Photos taken shortly after the attack show him with bloodstained sleeves.
"They came at the turbans first, so when the first punch landed, it was to make sure the turbans come off," Japneet Singh said. "Not only was it a physical attack, it was more of a spiritual attack, more of a moralistic attack."
Police say two men were arrested -- 20-year-old Hezekiah Coleman and 19-year-old Vernon Douglas. Both were charged with hate crimes. Coleman was arrested in connection to Tuesday's attack, and Douglas has been charged in connection to both incidents.