Crowd Comes To Support Man Allegedly Attacked For Being Perceived As Muslim
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Thursday afternoon was the first time we have seen 54-year-old Jeffrey Burgess since police say he allegedly yelled ethnic slurs and assaulted a man he believed to be a Muslim.
"This event that took place was really disturbing. A lot of people feel this was racism in action," Safdar Khwaja, with the Council on American Islamic Relations, said.
Police say the incident happened in November at the Red Robin restaurant in South Hills Village. Because the matter was waived to court Thursday, there was no testimony in the packed courtroom.
Police records allege that Ankur Mehta was sitting at the bar next to Burgess who began using racial slurs, saying, "I don't want you sitting next to me... you people."
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Witnesses told police Mehta was wearing earbuds, and was not aware of what we being said until Burgess allegedly hit Mehta four to five times, once with the elbow, then grabbing his face.
"It is a symptom of a lot of the tension and issues that are going on in the United States and a larger conversation we need to have," said supporter Ernest Rajakone.
Police say Mehta was taken to the hospital after identifying Burgess as his attacker. Police say there was a strong smell of alcohol, Burgess' speech was slurred and he had trouble walking.
"I know that I could fall into that same category and I could be victimized as well," said John Gnaliam, with the Pitt South Asian Student Association.