Jewish family attacked during Brooklyn graduation ceremony plans $100 million lawsuit against NYC

GRAVESEND, Brooklyn (WABC) – A physical fight broke out at a fifth-grade class graduation ceremony in Brooklyn. The attacked family is now suing the city for $100 million.

It happened on June 14th at around 10:45am at PS 682 in Gravesend.

The family said they were targeted because of their Jewish heritage and were beaten, hit on the head and dragged across the floor by their hair.

A video showing part of the incident was taken by Lana Lerner, who said that while she was filming the attack on her husband, Johan Nunez, she was pulled to the ground and attacked. The couple suffered cuts and bruises all over their bodies.

Lerner’s twin sons attended the ceremony, during which another student walked across the stage wearing a graduation cap that read “Free Palestine” and holding a Palestinian flag.

When it was time to take photos, Lerner’s family and the other student’s family stood next to each other, more arguments ensued, and the situation escalated further.

Lerner claims her husband tried to calm the situation down, but then out of the blue a man from the other family slapped her husband and attacked the couple’s 16-year-old son.

Two teachers finally stopped the fight, but the damage had already been done.

“The graduation was joyful, they sang songs, they showed beautiful videos and then this happened,” Lerner said. “And now, unfortunately, my children will forever remember their fifth-grade graduation as the day their family was attacked, not a day of celebration.”

Ez-Al Dean Bazar, 26, was arrested and charged with assault.

“We urge the prosecution to charge this incident as a hate crime in making its decision on charges and to also carefully consider the involvement of others here as well as the one person arrested,” said attorney Sanford Rubenstein.

The New York Department of Education said the case is currently under investigation and released the following statement:

“Graduation ceremonies should be a time of celebration and joy, and we strongly condemn anyone who behaves violently or aggressively during such events. Initial reports we have received from several witnesses indicate that both families behaved aggressively, but we are still investigating the matter while engaging with the families to work toward a resolution.”

The Department of Education’s guidelines on dress code for graduation ceremonies generally state that any political statements or activities that disrupt school life are not permitted.

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