Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with a statement from the Saskatoon Police Service.
A 15-year-old Chinese Canadian was reportedly attacked by a grown adult while riding his bike in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
A video of the incident, recorded on Friday, shows a White man lunging at someone who claims to be a teenager riding his bike.
The man accused the teen of spreading COVID-19 before he began throwing racially charged insults at him.
“I was cautiously passing him on my bike, at least 5-10 meters (16-33 feet) away from him; while he continued to insult me; even running away from me,” the teen explained. “Apparently, he felt threatened by me; a 5’4”, unarmed, Chinese, 15-year-old boy.”
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The teen was pushed off his bike, tackled to the ground and had his helmet repeatedly punched.
He managed to break free from the man who told him to “f*ck off,” while continuing to hurl more racial slurs.
“The fact that a grown man has so much hate as to take it out on an unarmed non-threatening minor has left me shaken and traumatized,” the teen said.
In a Facebook update, Nelson Chen, the teen’s father, says he and his wife have stayed in Saskatoon for 30 years because of the kind people that live there.
“We are deeply touched by your love, and your wavering stance against racism,” he wrote. “Your compassion and humanity have spread faster than anything, even COVID-19.”
Chen says the attacker has been identified and he and his family are in contact with the Saskatoon Police Service. His son left a message to supporters:
“I would like to thank each and every person who has liked, shared and commented your support for myself, my family and the entire Asian community during these difficult times. I am doing well, and am forever grateful for the kindness, and support of the countless people who have stepped up to combat such racism and hate. Your kind words and actions mean the world to me during this stressful and confusing time. You all have helped myself, and my family cope with this frightening experience. Please take care of yourselves and continue to fight racism. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Elsewhere in Canada, Vancouver police say there have been 29 investigations into anti-Asian hate crimes since the start of 2020, compared to only four in the same time period last year, CTV News reported.
Saskatoon Police Service told NextShark that the investigation is ongoing:
“We are aware of a video circulating online of an alleged assault, and some of the details surrounding the incident. We want to confirm that we have received a police report and are investigating. Both of the involved parties have been identified and spoken with. At this preliminary stage, no charges have been laid.”
Feature Image via Nelson Chen
