Racial Attack on Seattle Hospitalizes Sikh Taxi Driver

12/3/07

On November 24th, a 20-year-old Seattle man put a Sikh taxi driver into the hospital when, apparently drunk, he yelled racial slurs and attacked the taxi driver from behind. He has been charged with third degree assault and a hate crime.

Luis Vazquez attacked 48-year old Sukhvir Singh as Singh was driving Vazquez down I-5. After the attack, Singh was admitted to the hospital and discharged the day after. He was readmitted the next day for kidney and respiratory damage caused by the attack.

It began that November 24th evening when Vazquez was ejected from Husky Stadium during the Apple Cup for being highly drunk. Police officers asked Singh to drive home the drunken man they had removed from game. Almost immediately, Vazquez started yelling at Singh, calling him an Iraqi terrorist and other racial slurs. As the cab was going 60 miles per hour down I-5, Vazquez began punching Singh, yanking off his turban and pulling his hair so hard that clumps came out. Singh managed to pull over the cab but the attack continued.

Commuters called 911 when they witnessed the attacks. When the police arrived, Vazquez was trying to board the bus for a ride homeSingh has multiple bite marks and cuts on his face and he has trouble breathing after being kicked.

The Sikh Coalition, formed after Sept. 11 to help combat racism against Sikhs, say they're outraged and said Sikhs, especially children, are ridiculed daily for their appearance. They held a candlelight vigil for Singh on November 28th in a demonstration of support for the victim, his family and members of the Sikh community.