Your support helps us to tell the story
An elderly man in New York City is being investigated for a hate crime after an altercation with a business owner over a Kamala Harris poster in her shop window.
Juan Bernal, 76, allegedly confronted, spat at, and pushed Tanya Young Williams, the owner of a luxury fashion boutique on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, on August 30.
Bernal was charged with third-degree assault and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said on Tuesday.
The Independent has contacted the New York Police Department for more information on the incident.
Williams told ABC News, that the suspect walked past while she stood in her store doorway, but turned back after spotting the large poster of the Democratic presidential candidate.
The poster shows the Vice President wearing a black suit and striding across a field with a caption: “We’re not going back – Kamala Harris”. Williams’ shop also has T-shirts supporting Harris' campaign in the window display.
Bernal, who was reportedly wearing a T-shirt with Trump’s face on it, said: “You should have this in your window,’” and pointed at his T-shirt, Williams recalled.
She added: “I moved toward him, to keep him sort of out of the store, and said, ‘I’m supporting Kamala.’”
Bernal then allegedly began to tell Williams why Black voters, including her, should support Trump in the upcoming election, before spitting in her face and pushing her, causing a head injury.
Witnesses called 911, according to ABC. Bernal was arrested on Saturday. The 76-year-old was charged with assault this past weekend and his arraignment is set for September 25.
Bernal denied the allegations when contacted by ABC, and said he was seeking an attorney to defend him.
