Community Rallies Behind Men Attacked Near MSG In Alleged Hate Crime

[hrmjustin]

Community leaders are rallying in support of two men attacked in what police are calling an anti-gay hate crime. Investigators say Kevin Atkins and Nick Porto were attacked May 5 near Madison Square Garden. They say four men shouted anti-gay slurs before attacking them.

Lawmakers joined Atkins and Porto Monday afternoon to urge the public to help them find the suspects.

"We are not going to let a few small-minded, ignorant, violent people push us back into the closets where we have to pretend we are not who we are," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "This still happens, and we need to see this stop," Porto said.

The New York City Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/182015/community-rallies-behind-men-attacked-near-msg-in-alleged-hate-crime