LI Senate Staffer Racially Harassed While Walking To Work: Senator

MASSAPEQUA, NY — A staffer for state Sen. John Brooks was harassed and intimidated by two men in a car as she walked to the senator's office in Massapequa last week.

According to Brooks's office, the woman, who is of South Asian descent, was walking from the Massapeqau LIRR station to the senator's office on Sept. 7 when a car stopped in front of her, cutting off her path.

The man in the passenger seat leaned out of the car window and shouted racial slurs at her, and said, "You don't belong here, this is Massapequa!" before they drove off.

The staffer continued to the office, where they called 911 to report the incident. Brooks's office said that reports were filed with both the Nassau County Police Department and the state Attorney General's Division on Hate Crimes.

“It is a shameful thing that any person in our community would have to endure such a trauma, let alone a member of my office family,” said Brooks. “This incident is indicative of a cancer that pervades our society today, one that is steeped in hatred, ignorance and a false sense of entitlement. It is imperative that we stand up for the ability of every member of our community to feel safe in our neighborhoods. I am grateful to the Nassau County Police Department and the NYS Attorney General's office for taking immediate action in this disgraceful incident.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous.