Abusive driver
Nov. 18, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
An Arab-American Uber driver was the victim of another driver’s racist rant yesterday in Astoria.
The Uber driver filmed the racist tirade on his cellphone, which was later uploaded to Facebook by Karim Metwaly, who describes himself as a Woodside actor.
In the video, the racist driver stopped at a red light on Crescent Street beside the victim and yelled out a number of racist epithets out the window. According to the New York Post, which first reported the story, the attack was completely unprovoked.
The aggressor yelled out that with the election of Donald Trump, the Arab American driver would soon be deported.
“F–king Arab motherf–cker, terrorist f–cking cock sucker,” the man yelled out the window of his white SUV.
He went on to say he had no problem with being filmed. “I don’t care bro, video you’re a loser, you’re not even from here motherf–cker,” he said.
The man called the victim a “sand ni–er” and a terrorist several times throughout the video, and insulted his heritage.
The video ends with the man driving away down Crescent Street.
The racist tirade was quickly condemned by elected officials.
“In this community, we pride ourselves on our diversity and tolerance. Hateful rhetoric should not be tolerated in a neighborhood where all races and different beliefs are welcome,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris in a statement condemning the video.
Hate crimes are up in New York City by 31 percent this year, rising from 250 to 328 so far this year, with 11 attacks taking place in the week following the election.
Police have attributed the jump to the xenophobic rhetoric surrounding the election, according to a DNAinfo report.
Anyone experiencing bias-motivated threats, harassment or discrimination can call DHR’s toll-free hotline at 888-392-3644 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
