A gay man in Amsterdam has suffered a “complete mental breakdown” after being assaulted by three teenagers Thursday night.
The man – known only as Alexander – had been walking back from his boyfriend’s mother’s house when three teenagers – who he identified as Moroccan – pushed him into the water at Rembrandt Park. The youths then spent three hours throwing sticks, stones and words as they forced Alexander to do laps. Alexander’s boyfriend recalls:
He was scared to death, he heard the three talking to each other in Arabic and thought they planned to do the worst to him. Alexander feels he must have been swimming around in the pond for about two hours before a car with bright headlights arrived at the scene. The boys got scared and ran off.
Police are looking into the matter, but are unsure whether the boys targeted Alexander because he’s gay or just because they’re wet noodles.
Paul Raposo
Today, forced laps with sticks and stones. Tomorrow, sticks of dynamite and a train ride. They leave their country where they’re treated like shit and srrive in a new country to treat others like shit.
Ben
That’s some nasty water.
In Amsterdam and other parts of the Netherlands, the natives and the Moroccan immigrants (and the second generation of immigrants) have a very contentious relationship, which only reciprocates to mean more violence and more hate.
Christopher DeBoer
Hmmm, i’m curious about why “he heard the three talking to each other in Arabic and thought they planned to do the worst to him”. Funny, but my first reaction to this part when i read it sounds a little like he also may have been pre disposed to the fear we have all been bombarded with in the media about middle eastern language. Every time someone is heard speaking Arabic in public, people jump, and it’s become a serious problem. I’m not saying he asked for the dunk, however, i do sence a slight bit of overreaction, as we all know as perhaps being a big drama queen. Just sayin…
Paul Raposo
“i do sence a slight bit of overreaction, as we all know as perhaps being a big drama queen”
Yeah, because being pushed in the water and pelted with debris is all in good fun; right? I do that for kicks all the time.
John
I lived in the Netherlands with my partner for four years and suffered my share of prejudice, including threats of physical violence (during Amsterdam Pride). It’s a place where intolerance is rampant and it’s definitely not limited to the immigrants.
daniel1966
2 – 3 hours at rembrandt park pond and no police cruiser or anyone in sight to stop this attack???sounds a bit unlikely.
what are the facts????the real ones.i know there is homophobia in amstedam and is growing but this story doesn’t wash….
call me thomas if you must