The videotaped, near-fatal beating of an openly-gay College Point man has provoked outrage and prompted several demonstrations in the area recently, culminating with a mass march down the working-class neighborhood’s main drag.
Jack Price, 49 was beaten and stomped into unconsciousness in the wee hours of Thursday, October 8, around the corner from a 24-hour store at 18th Avenue and College Point Boulevard.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown has charged Daniel Aleman, 26, and Daniel Rodriguez, 21, both of College Point with felony assault as a hate crime for the attack that was captured by an anti-graffiti camera installed by the College Point of Trade. Price wound up in a medically induced coma at New York Hospital Queens, with a shattered jaw, lacerated spleen, collapsed lungs and numerous broken ribs.
The alleged assailants are jailed on Rikers Island in lieu of bail, awaiting a trial that could land them in prison for 15 years apiece.
On Friday, October 16, local civic leaders, State Senators Frank Padavan and Toby Stavisky, and others gathered not far from where the attack took place, to decry hate crimes in general and the attack on Price in particular.
Tom Palma, chairman of the trade board called the attack “an absolutely horrendous crime,” and said that they would be installing more cameras in the future.
“It’s a shame that the actions of a few individuals tarnish the entire community,” he told The Queens Courier.
Residents who live in the community echoed the sentiments.
Local resident Judith Woessner, 71, said, “It’s shocking and will not be tolerated. I’ve lived in College Point all my life – this never happened when I was a kid. We can’t sit on our hands.”
“This is my hometown – I just moved back from Florida,” said Steve DiTomaso, adding, “It’s a shame when you move back to this senseless violence.”
“This has always been an average small town that has its share of problems, but nothing like this,” DiTomaso said.
While the press conference was taking place, a taskforce of concerned youths from around the borough fanned out around nearby Flushing High School, imploring students to renounce hate, and calling for tolerance to be taught in schools.
Even as these events transpired, Price, who emerged from his coma in mid-week was telling reporters about his ordeal and its emotional aftermath.
“I thought I died,” Price said from his hospital bed on Friday. “I was bleeding all over the place.” Though happy to be alive, he was serious about his attackers.
“I hope they rot in jail,” he reportedly said. “They almost killed another human being.”
Saturday saw a mass demonstration, when an estimated 300 people from across the city and the neighborhood marched, preaching tolerance and protesting the brutal beating of Price.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, “These individuals didn’t beat him because they knew Jack. They beat him because of who he is,” and vowed to continue demonstrating against anti-gay violence.
City Comptroller and mayoral candidate William C. Thompson, Jr., declared “We will not let ourselves be divided,” continuing, “Those of you who hate, keep it to yourselves. We will not look the other way.”
Millie Franco, proprietor of the “We’re All About You” beauty salon on College Point Boulevard, applauded the marchers, as did her staff. “It was disgusting,” she reportedly said of the assault. “These two punks; two against one – let’s see how tough they are behind bars.”
