Hadasa Bozakkaravani, 48, of Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States is accused of attacking Ashish Prashar, 40, and his son, who was born in May 2022. Pashar is of Indian descent.
On November 7, 2023, Pashar was with his son at a playground in Fort Greene, Brooklyn when they were approached by Bozakkavarani. It appeared that the woman was infuriated by the keffiyeh, a black and white Palestinian scarf, the man was wearing.
On October 7, 2023, an armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups started in and around the Gaza Strip. Since then, keffiyeh has been often worn at pro-Palestinian rallies around the world.
Bozakkavarani yelled at Pashar, struck him and threw her phone and coffee at him. He used his cellphone to record the attack.
“You and your son get away,” Bozakkavarani told Pashar, who was holding his son. She called the Indian man a terrorist.
While Prashar suffered some scrapes and bruises, his son was not harmed. When a bystander intervened, Bozakkavarani grabbed her own child and left.
On November 21, 2023, Bozakkavarani turned herself in. She was arrested and charged with nine counts, including four hate crimes namely assault, assault of a person under 11, reckless endangerment, aggravated harassment and menacing.
That day, Bozakkavarani made her first appearance and court. She pleaded not guilty to all nine charges.
On January 24, 2024, Bozakkavarani will be back in court. She has been released on her own recognizance.
CONAN Daily 