A couple in New York City, Lana and Johan, were recently attacked at their children’s elementary school graduation by a family shouting pro-Palestinian slogans. Lana, who is Jewish, and Johan, who is Dominican-American, were at P.S. 682 in Gravesend, Brooklyn, to watch their 10-year-old twins graduate when the incident occurred.
The altercation began when Lana and Johan tried to take pictures with their children in front of a school banner, but were pushed aside by the family of a boy wearing a pro-Palestinian graduate cap. An older man in the family shouted “Free Palestine!” for no reason, escalating the situation. When Johan tried to intervene, he was cursed at in Arabic and physically attacked. Video footage shows a chaotic scene outside the school with multiple people fighting on the ground.
Lana believes that the family targeted them because she is Jewish, and the situation quickly turned violent. Johan was put in a chokehold and had his leg held down, while Lana’s 16-year-old son was punched in the face when he tried to help. Lana herself was knocked to the ground by a woman who threatened her life.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that they have arrested Ez-Al Dean Bazar, 26, and charged him with third-degree assault in connection to the incident. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is currently investigating the case to determine if it was a hate crime.
The couple’s story has sparked outrage and fear in the community, especially among Jewish residents who worry about rising anti-Semitic attacks in the city. The incident at P.S. 682 is a reminder of the importance of standing up against hate and intolerance in all forms. As investigations continue, the hope is that justice will be served and that incidents like this will not be repeated in the future.