Commonsense & Wonder: The uncivil Pride party

Food vendor, 66, attacked during out-of-control Pride party in Washington Square Park reveals revelers broke his nose and left him fearing for his life after he refused to swap US flag on his cart for rainbow banner

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Nader Hassaneen, 66, was punched in the face several times late on Sunday night as the city's Pride celebrations continued in Washington Square Park
Hassaneen had hot sauce thrown in his eyes when a woman attacked him for flying the American flag instead of the Pride flag
One bystander claimed Hassaneen used a homophobic slur - an accusation he denied in an interview with The New York Post
At least three people were also arrested earlier on Sunday afternoon
NYPD officers were seen in riot gear using pepper spray on parkgoers
Tensions were already high between the police and LGBTQ community after uniformed NYPD cops were banned from attending any official Pride events until at least 2025
Throughout June, with COVID restrictions lifted, Washington Square Park has been the site of rowdy all-night parties and even illegal boxing matches
The park has been the site of stabbings and drug taking, to the fury of well-heeled local residents in Greenwich Village
Revelers have continued to defy police and refused to leave at the closing time, whether it be midnight or 10pm, dancing the night away and leaving the park trashed