FOLLOW UP STATEMENT FROM THE CITYLINE OZONE PARK CIVILIAN PATROL
Yesterday, the Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol issued a statement based on the information available at that time regarding the arrest of the individual believed to be responsible for several firebombing incidents in our community.
Since then, additional information has been publicly reported regarding the suspect, identified as Yogesh Sayrange, 36, and the alleged motive behind these attacks.
Based on what has now been reported, these were not simply random acts. These were acts of hate directed at Muslim New Yorkers. COPCP condemns this in the strongest possible terms.
Islamophobia has no place in Ozone Park, City Line, Woodhaven, Brooklyn, Queens, or anywhere in New York City.
“As a Muslim and as Executive Director of COPCP, I know the fear these attacks were meant to create,” said Mohammad Khan, Executive Director of the Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol. “I remember when uncles in our community were assaulted walking to prayer, when brothers were robbed coming home from work; that is why COPCP was founded. We were born out of a belief that our community has a duty to stand up for one another and never to allow fear to take over our streets.”
“These attacks hit deeply because they struck at the same fear our organization was created to answer,” Khan continued. “A Bengali restaurant was targeted. Houses of worship were targeted. Other locations in our community were targeted. But we will not be intimidated. These attacks were meant to spread fear, but they will only strengthen our unity. We are thankful to the NYPD, FDNY, Fire Marshals, detectives, and the civilians who helped point out the suspect.”