NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A woman wearing a hijab was attacked by a man in Brooklyn over the weekend in what police are reportedly investigating as a hate crime.
The 41-year-old woman was walking down Avenue H, near Rugby Road, in Ditmas Park on late Saturday afternoon when the man came up and tried to trip her by kicking her feet, police said.
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The woman was able to catch herself and avoid falling, so the man kicked her in the right shin, according to police, who said the victim was treated for bruising at the scene.
According to amNY.com, the woman held a news conference on Monday in which she said she believes she was targeted by the man because she is a Muslim.
“I don’t see any other reason except just a hate crime because of my attire, what I was wearing,” the woman reportedly said.
An NYPD spokesman told amNY that its Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the attack.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: "This disgusting act of hate isn't just an attack on Muslims, it's an attack on all New Yorkers."
Police released surveillance video of the suspect Monday. They believe he's in his early 20s.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.