2 PAWGS yelling "black lives matter" attack a breh on the elevator

[8WON6]

ORIGINAL CAPTION: I was hesitant to post this during the holidays but on December 21, 2022 around 9:45am, I got on to the elevator of my apartment building from the 11th floor. I was heading down to the parking garage on the 2nd floor. On my way to the parking garage the elevator stopped on the 4th floor where I encountered two very aggressive women who demanded to know if I had a mask while they held the elevator doors open. I was taken back by their volume and tone, but I responded and said "yes." Before I could pull my mask out the two women began to scream at me and demanded that I "get off the elevator!” I responded stating that I was not leaving because I was on the elevator first. I reminded them, they were free to wait for another elevator. One of the women continued to hold the elevator doors open while her friend began to scream for help and begged for someone to call the police (they were trying to imply I was hurting them while they held the elevator doors open with these false pleas for help). The women became more aggressive, shoving and hitting me with their phones while continuing to yell help in the hallway although I was the one who needed help. One of the women took her friends phone and pushed it in my face to record me, in an attempt to bait me into a physical altercation. I told her to stop and asked why she was recording me. She continued, and in response to that I pulled out my phone and began to record them. When she realized I was recording her as well, she slapped me. I put my hands up to shield my face from another blow and to put distance between us, but she yelled "don't touch me" to continue to make it seem like I was the aggressor and to put my life in danger should an unsuspecting passerby see me as a threat. While continuing to prevent the doors from closing, they yelled “Black Lives Matter" multiple times. When I stated "wow this is racial?” one of them responded saying “get off, Black Lives Matter." After being hit by one of their suitcases, I stopped engaging with them and got off of the elevator on the 4th floor.

I called the management office in the building and the police to file a report. At that time I was informed that the building has no working cameras in the elevators. While filing a report, I was informed by the officers that this may be considered a hate crime but because she did not say “n*gger” or “get your black ass off” (in the words of the officer) it would probably be a misdemeanor. One of my two attackers was charged with battery and released within the hour on a misdemeanor charge. When questioned by police she stated that she yelled “Black Lives Matter” in support of the movement. The officers stated that my attackers stated they only replied with “Black Lives Matter” after I brought up race, which is not true.

I was told to follow up with the state attorney if I felt it truly was a hate crime but they did not agree that it was. This is one of many experiences that I have had in this building, and the second time I was dismissed with claims that the cameras are not in service. I have tried to ignore these incidents in the past to avoid confrontation, but they need to be held accountable. I share this video in hopes of illustrating to the public just how dangerous situations can be for people of color when you are just going through your day to day activities. I am also sharing this because it was apparent this attack was racially motivated but the authorities disagreed because these women strategically said “black lives matter” to cover their racist actions. I am also sharing this to show that these false accusations of me being their attacker was a deliberate attempt to endanger my life. As a result of these women assaulting and battering me, I’m forever changed.