It’s really a shame that things like this are still happening in 2013.
Married couple Billie and Jacob James-Vogel were viciously attacked by a group of men in front of the SHI restaurant in Long Island City on Saturday, NBC New York reports. According to the distraught couple, the incident all began as they were leaving the Restaurant with a group of friends after celebrating Jacob’s 40th birthday when the men, who were seated in a nearby vehicle, began yelling racial and homophobic slurs at them. When Jacob asked why the men were hurling insults at them, the couple says things took a violent turn.
“I was pushed to the ground, I covered my face and I just got jumped,” James said.”
“I tried, I tried to help,” a tearful Billie interjected.
“While I was laying on the ground covering my face, I got to watch them shove my wife to the ground without being able to help her,” added
“I’m afraid to walk down the street. I’m afraid they may come back for us,” Billie went on to tell reporters.
“In this day and age, in this neighborhood, it just kills me,” she continued.
The couple also expressed that when they tried to get help from the restaurant, they were turned away.
“My husband, with his face pouring with blood, went to that very same doorman and said, ‘Please, help us,’ and he closed the door in husband’s my face,” Billie revealed.
The restaurant owner, however, claims this is not true.
“On Saturday 8/17 an unfortunate incident occured around the corner of SHI Restaurant. The James-Vogel’s were attacked in an alleged “hate crime”. It is being reported that we at SHI denied them help. We vehemently deny these allegations because it is simply untrue.We were not aware of the incident until it was over. In any event we were informed the Police were called and on their way. Neither Billie or Jacob Vogel was turned away. As a business serving Long Island City and beyond, we have a very diverse clientele and are very invloved in the community. We strongly condemn discrimination in all forms and under no circumstances would we turn away anyone who needed help for whatever reason. Our sympathies go out to the james-Vogels and we sincerely hope they recover both physically and emotionally from this devastating incident,” a statement posted on the restaurant’s website reads.
Turn the page to watch NBC’s full report. What are your thoughts regarding this unfortunate incident?
