Latina Nanny Victim Of Hate Crime In San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- A Latina nanny in San Francisco says she was watching two children when a man grabbed her hair and neck and told her "No Latinos Here."
The nanny suffered scratches all over her arms during the confrontation.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area spokesperson Nathan Sargent said the U.S. Park Police received a report of an assault and a hate crime at Fort Mason's Great Meadow on Monday.
Authorities say it happened near the park palm trees.
The nanny was caring for two small children when she was approached by a man wearing all black, his face covered.
"You certainly don't expect that to happen," said San Francisco resident Tiffany Bindoo, who was in the park Monday evening. "I certainly hope it's not related to the Donald Trump thing because you are reading a lot about the backlash that's going on and I hope that's not what it is."
Police said the nanny was okay.
Park police located a suspect whose clothing matched the description, but he allegedly became confrontational in the course of the investigation.
He was detained on suspicion of resisting arrest and is currently at San Francisco General Hospital undergoing psychiatric evaluation, park officials said. His identity has been with withheld while the attack remains under investigation.
Park officials say the park is for all people.
"This is a welcoming place. We want the national parks to be a place where people can come together and feel welcome," Sargent said.
San Francisco Supervisor Mark Farrell, whose district includes Fort Mason, put out a statement condemning the attack.
"Hate, discrimination and violence are not welcome and will never be tolerated in San Francisco," Farrell said. "San Francisco is known across the world as a place that accepts people for who they are regardless of their religious, ethnicity or sexual identity."
Witnesses to the assault are asked to call the U.S. Park Police tip line at (415) 561-5150.
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