By Patrick Donachie
A man pleaded guilty to assaulting a Jamaica man and shouting racial slurs in May, according to the attorney representing the victim.
Christopher Porr pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, Wednesday, said Ali Najmi, who represented Gazi Rahman, 46. Rahman accused Porr of attacking him on the corner of Parsons Boulevard and Hillside Avenue May 7.
Porr will need to complete a 15-session sensitivity program run by Queens Center for Change, and upon successful completion of that program, will undergo three years of probation, Najmi said. Initially, Rahman was arrested and charged with assaulting Porr, but surveillance footage showed that Porr was the assailant.
“I am satisfied to have my name cleared, and for justice to be served,” Rahman said about the sentencing. “I hope Mr. Porr benefits from the sensitivity training and does not do this to anyone else.”
Rahman stated earlier that when Porr attacked him, he shouted “f— Indians” during the attack. Rahman is from Bangladesh and has lived in the United States for 18 years. Najmi said the incident was one of several bias attacks that left people on edge.
“There has been an increase in bias-related incidents that has left many people feeling scared and anxious,” Najmi said. “As a community, we will not tolerate these actions and we will continue to bring attention to them and seek justice.”
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
