New York, NY, March 8, 2017… The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today condemned a violent attack on a Hispanic man that took place last week on a southbound J train in Brooklyn, NY.

According to reports, a 27-year-old man from Guatemala was riding the subway on March 1 when a fellow passenger began to accost him, allegedly hurling racist and anti-Hispanic epithets, and demanding that the victim “go back to your country.”

The suspect then punched the man in the face, breaking the victim’s nose, before fleeing the train at the Crescent Street station.

“It is appalling that someone be attacked on the New York City subway just because of their identity or background,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “As New Yorkers, we know that immigrants enrich our country. We are deeply concerned that hate crimes such as this are being fueled by growing anti-immigrant sentiments and xenophobia.”

Recent reporting shows a staggering increase in hate crimes across New York City. According to the NYPD, 100 hate crimes have been reported in New York so far this year, compared with 47 in the same time period last year.

The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating this attack, and ADL commends the NYPD for its diligent and thorough work.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY