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NYPD Seeks Suspects in Violent Anti-Israel Protest Assault on Jewish Leader
Edited by: Fern Sidman
New York City police are on the hunt for several anti-Israel protesters involved in the violent assault of Todd Richman, a prominent Jewish leader and co-chair of Democratic Majority for Israel. The attack occurred during a demonstration on Monday, marking the first anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. According to a report that appeared on Thursday in The New York Post, the NYPD has released photos of four suspects who are accused of taking part in the brutal assault, which left Richman bloodied and injured.
The incident, which quickly went viral after being captured on video, shows Richman, 54, unfurling an Israeli flag amidst a group of aggressive anti-Israel demonstrators inside Union Square Park. The footage begins with a chaotic scene, as protesters surround Richman, yelling and attempting to tear the flag from his hands. The New York Post reported that a woman can be heard shouting, “Get the f–k out of here!” while a protester, wearing a keffiyeh, grabs at the Israeli flag. Richman, determined to hold onto the flag, yells back, “Get the f–k off the flag. Get off it,” while continuing to struggle with the crowd.
Pro-Palestine protesters in NYC violently attacked Todd Richman, co-chair of Democratic Majority for Israel, leaving him bloodied after stealing his Israeli flag during an assault.
🎥 via Section 27A Copyright Act pic.twitter.com/iHJ22wzepV
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) October 9, 2024
The situation quickly escalated when, after tearing the flag from his hands, the protesters turned violent. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, one woman, armed with a tambourine, struck Richman in the head, while another individual hit him in the face with a flagpole. The altercation left Richman with a bloody nose and a shaken sense of security.
Richman, undeterred by the assault, spoke out the next day, condemning the attack and expressing his deep concern over the behavior of the protesters. In a statement, Richman said the protesters “crossed a line.” He explained, “As Americans, we have the right to protest, but yesterday, on the one-year anniversary of the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, pro-Hamas agitators in New York City crossed a line,” as was reported by The New York Post. Richman went on to emphasize that Americans who support Israel must be able to walk “freely and fearlessly through the streets of New York,” adding that while the attack was unacceptable, it had only “strengthened his resolve.”
The NYPD has taken the incident seriously, with the Hate Crimes Task Force now leading the investigation. As per the information contained in The New York Post report, police are actively seeking any information on the suspects involved and have urged the public to help identify the individuals responsible. The department has released images of the four suspects and is encouraging anyone with relevant information to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline.
As of now, no arrests have been made, but the investigation is ongoing. The attack on Richman comes amidst a broader climate of tension and unrest as anti-Israel and pro-Hamas demonstrations continue to take place across major cities worldwide. The violent nature of the protest in Union Square has added urgency to the NYPD’s efforts to track down those responsible and prevent further clashes from escalating into violence.
The police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), as was reported by The New York Post. With the suspects still at large, the NYPD hopes that public involvement can bring swift justice and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
