Worker sees attack by antisemitic mob and tries to help, California officials say
A man accused of being part of a mob that beat another man after making antisemitic remarks has been charged with a hate crime, California prosecutors said.
Juan Diaz-Rivas, 36, also faces two counts of assault inflicting great bodily injury, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said in a June 17 news release.
Diaz-Rivas was part of a group of about six people that walked past a man and woman sitting on the sidewalk saying '---- the Jews, free Palestine' on Saturday, June 14, prosecutors said.
The woman 'asked them to stop,' saying she is Jewish, and Diaz-Rivas confronted her, prosecutors said. The man and woman began to walk away.
Then someone punched the man, causing him to strike his head and knocking him out, prosecutors said. Diaz-Rivas and the others continued to beat and kick him, authorities said.
A nearby worker who tried to intervene also was punched and kicked, prosecutors said.
An investigation into the attack continues, prosecutors said. Police ask anyone with information to call 415-575-4444.
Diaz-Rivas is 'currently in custody,' according to prosecutors. He is set to appear in court on June 18.
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