On Thursday April 11, 2019, I was violently assaulted by 4 SBH Health Systems security at 4422 3rd Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 around approximately 2:50 pm. The incident occurred in a hallway directly outside of the auditorium and then directly outside. Instead of assisting me New York State Assemblyman Jose Rivera recorded the incident and went after me along with the security staff who violently assaulted me. There is video footage from my phone of this incident.
I attended a presentation by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul on the New York State Fiscal Year 2020 Budget on Thursday April 11, 2019 at approximately 2:00pm at SBH Health Systems at 4422 3rd Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457. I wanted to ask her why there was not any money allocated for New York City Housing Authority in this year’s state budget. During her presentation I held up a sheet of paper that said the following: “$32 Billion Needed for NYCHA, Backlog of 170,000 Open Work Orders, Federal Budget FY2020: $0 For NYCHA, State Budget FY2020: $0 for NYCHA, Where’s the Money Kathy?”
I was meeting a friend there but that person was on the opposite side of the room. After the presentation I walked from my seat toward the exit. I asked some men if I could ask her a question as I saw other people in the audience speaking to her. They said no and I insisted. Then I stepped into the area directly outside the auditorium. They then asked me to step outside and I said I wanted to wait for my friend. Then I used my phone to start recording and that is when they violently assaulted me and pushed me to the ground.
They followed me and took my phone. The main person who assaulted me is the dark skinned black man you see in photos. Then after this man took my phone, he gave it to another person who was getting into a van and drove the van ahead of me so I had to run after him. New York State Assemblyman Jose Rivera recorded the violence with his phone outside and made no attempt to help me at any point. He actually WALKED with these violent people after me. It was clear to me that he indeed condoned this violence by his actions.
I took a bus and then got on the subway downtown closer to where I live. I got to Mount Sinai Beth Israel, a hospital I trust, where a police report was taken by PO Faini (white male) and his partner (white female). At this time when I gave the report I did not realize that New York State Assemblyman Jose Rivera was involved. Someone pointed out that Mr. Rivera was the person recording it in a video still I put online. I asked if they could give me a copy of the report and they said no but you could do a FOIL for it. PO Faini gave me the 13th Prescient contact information as well as contact information for the Department of Investigation. My heart rate was 133 at the hospital. I believe I was experiencing shock. I was discharged with a minor head injury and blunt chest trauma.
Keep in mind this happened at SBH Health Services, a hospital whose mission is, according to their website:
“SBH Health System is committed to improving the health and wellness of our community and is dedicated to providing the highest quality care in a compassionate, comprehensive and safe environment where the patient always comes first, regardless of their ability to pay.”
I tried calling the 13th Prescient several times but no one picked up. On April 12, 2019 I filled out and sent the Online Complaint Form for the New York City Department of Investigation.
They used violence. I did not. They violently assaulted me because I wanted to wait for my friend and ask a question about NYCHA of an elected official. In my opinion Jose Rivera should NOT be an Assemblyman AT ALL! I am in pain both physically and mentally.
Robert
New York City
Monday April 15, 2019