Luis Ochoa of Montauk, head of SoLA, a Latin American group on Long Island's East End was the victim of what police are treating as a racially based attack last Monday April 18. An arrest is expected soon.
Ochoa was driving to a rehearsal of the Spanish children's church chorus when a he was tailgated and then passed by the attacker who with a series of manoevers prevented Ochoa from getting out of his way.
After Ochoa reached his destination the man came running up to him, hitting him in the face, knocking him to the ground and them proceeding to pummel and kick him. All the while the attacker was screaming racist epithets. Several people pulled the man off him and he sped off. Witnesses called the police and took his license plate.
Ochoa suffered bruises, has no broken bones but was disturbed and is having trouble sleeping.
The East Hampton Anti-Bias Task Force has called for a "vigil of solidarity with the Latino community and against intolerance". A service will be held by East Hampton clergy at the Town Green at Hook Mill Sunday evening May 1, at 6 pm. In case of rain it will move to the Old North Church just north of the Green.
Information for this report was provided by Michael O'Neill, Chairman of the East Hampton Anti-Bias Task Force.
