6 SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Jax Hgts residents fuming over alleged hate crime
BY MARK HALLUM
MHALLUM@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Aft er a queer couple was attacked
inside of a Jackson Heights eatery,
NYPD is investigating the
incident as a hate crime.
But more than that, LGBTQ community
from the surrounding areas
are calling on Pollos Mario at 81-01
Roosevelt Ave. to address the matter
of their staff allegedly taking no initiative
to stop the assault by several
men.
“I’m still really concerned about
what happened. I’m still really afraid
and really nervous from the incident,”
said Alberto Cruz, one of the two
victims.
“This was a really awful experience
that I wouldn’t wish on anybody else,”
said the second victim, who went by
Miguel. “This kind of violence needs
to stop now, not just for the LGBT community,
but for everybody in general.
However I would like to say that the
LGBT community is most vulnerable
because we still face a lot of discrimination
and violence in streets.”
According to NYPD, there was a 911
call about an assault at Pollos Marios
on Sept. 13 at 4:38 a.m.
Cruz and Miguel were eating when
they were approached by a group of
about four to six men who instigated
a verbal dispute, according to cops.
Blows were struck and the two
men were taken just blocks away to
Elmhurst Hospital by EMS where
they were treated for their wounds.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz
rallied alongside transgender activist
Bianey Garcia, who was the victim
of a transphobic attack in July while
fi lming a documentary near the same
location.
As a message to the business, Cruz
said that if they plan to take part in
the annual Queens Pride Parade in
Jackson Heights, they must be willing
to take their support a step further.
“Protecting our LGBTQI community
needs to be an everyday job for
all of us, not just for our neighbors,
but for our business neighbors,”
Cruz said. “The real work is when
an incident like this happens. When
you have to step in and take action.
It can’t just be about the parties
and it can’t just be about the amazing
events, it has to be about the
hard days when somebody is being
attacked. Because if you want our
money in your establishment, you’re
going to want to stand up and you’re
going to want to protect people in
our community.”
A proprietor of Pollos Mario was
not able to be reached and a manager
QNS spoke to was not certain of what
had happened during the early morning
incident as he had been on vacation
during the time.
This story will be updated if the
restaurant chooses to comment.
NYPD told QNS that the suspects
fl ed in an unknown vehicle to “parts
unknown” aft er the attack and that
there are currently no arrests. The
Hate Crimes Task Force has opened
an ongoing investigation.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, among LGBT advocates, condemns an
attack on a Queer couple in a Jackson Heights eatery.
Photo: Mark Hallum/QNS
FREE - FULL DAY
Pre-K Classes
8:15AM - 2:35PM
NYC Dept. of Education UPK Program
APPLY NOW @ myschools.nyc
The Greater Ridgewood Youth Council
LITTLE STARS UPK - 24QAMO
59-03 Summerfield Street
Ridgewood, NY 11385
Little Stars UPK @ Fairview - 24QBNS
776 Fairview Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385
For children born in
2015
Have your
Four-Year Old
Begin School
As of
September 2019
The Greater
Ridgewood
Youth
Council, Inc.
Full Day Classes
Use school code:
24QAMO
59-03 Summerfield Street
Ridgewood, NY 11385
Or
24QBNS
776 Fairview Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(718) 456-5437 ext. 236
Fax # (718) 366-3053
lstarsprek@thegryc.org
Accepting registrations from
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
If you have any questions or
would like to take a tour of
either location, please call for
an appointment @
718-456-5437 ext., 229/236
For registration you must bring:
A. Child
B. Immunization Record
C. 2 Proofs of Address
Gas/Electric/State or Government Agency)
D. Original Birth Certificate
Seats
Still
Available.
Please
Call Or
Stop By To
Register
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
link
link
link
