***STATEMENT*** Senator James Sanders Jr. Condemns Multiple Attacks on Sikhs in Richmond Hill

State Senator James Sanders Jr. said: ”It is disgraceful that three of our Sikh brothers were viciously attacked in Richmond Hill recently and this type of behavior, and any type of hate crime, will not be tolerated in this community. It is heartbreaking that here, in Queens, the melting pot of so many cultures, that two young men, ages 19 and 20, would beat, and in some cases rob, peaceful residents for no reason other than their religion and wearing of religious garb. Now these victims have been traumatized and these young men are facing 25 years in prison. This is senseless foolishness and it needs to stop. We are better than this. We should be teaching our young people respect for all races and religions.”