Bay Ridge

Pols express support for Muslim cop after attack

Adams urges public to help catch hate crime suspects

December 6, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
P.O. Aml Elsokary was attacked in the vicinity of Ridge Blvd. and 67th Street in Bay Ridge on Saturday, police said. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas
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A Muslim police officer who was attacked in a suspected hate crime in Bay Ridge is receiving support and encouragement from a slew of elected officials and civic leaders.

Police Officer Aml Elsokary, along with her 16-year-old son, was a victim of a possible hate crime on Ridge Boulevard and 67th Street on Saturday, according to police, who said a man yelled ethnic slurs at the cop when she stopped him from pushing her son.

“ISIS [expletive], I will cut your throat, go back to your country!” the suspect yelled at Elsokary, according to police, who said the officer, who lives in Bay Ridge and works out of the 90th Precinct in Williamsburg, was wearing a hijab.

The suspect, identified by police as Christopher Nelson, 36, was arrested on Sunday. He was charged with Menacing in the Second Degree, a felony.

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Nelson was arraigned in court on Monday and was ordered held on $50,000 bail.

“This defendant allegedly subjected the victim and her son to deplorable and ugly acts of hate, including threats of violence, simply because they are Muslim.  Biased-motivated crimes will not be tolerated anywhere in Brooklyn and those who commit hate crimes will be held accountable for their reprehensible and offensive actions,” Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.
 
In April of 2014, Elsokary was lauded for her heroism on duty in saving a baby girl and elderly woman from a burning building.

Support for the officer is pouring in from numerous elected officials in Brooklyn.

On Monday, Borough President Eric Adams and members of the NYPD Muslim Officers Society stood with Elsokary at Borough Hall to urge the public to assist with the apprehension of the suspect responsible for hate crimes.

Adams also called on all district attorneys in the city to institute a no plea bargain rule for a suspect charged with hate crimes.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Rige-Dyker Heights-Bensonhust) said he was disgusted by the attack.

“Bay Ridge is extremely proud to call NYPD Officer Aml Elsokary one of our own. Two years ago, Officer Elsokary personified courage when she saved a grandmother and baby from a perilous fire. While the current political climate seems to have given false permission to unveil racist and vile comments, be it known that this great city, the melting pot of the world, will not fall victim to this disgusting behavior,” Gentile said.

Bay Ridge Democrats Club, headed by Justin Brannan, issued a statement condemning the attack.

“Violence, harassment and intimidation have no place in Bay Ridge. Not now, not ever. Our neighborhood has always been a home to everyone from everywhere and we stand with New Yorkers in abhorrence and rejection of bigotry in all its manifestations. Together we must and will continue to stand up, speak out and confront hate in any form,” the statement read.

The attack on Elsokary came three days after 18-year-old Muslim college student Yasmin Seweid was attacked on the subway by several men who screamed “Donald Trump!” and a variety of slurs at her, including calling her a terrorist, Adams said.

Hate crimes in New York City have increased 35 percent this year, according to the NYPD, which said that most of the crimes are anti-Semitic attacks. Many of the hate crimes are also anti-Muslim attacks, police officials said.


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