The violent assault of a man on a busy road near a Newmarket high school last month has left students who observed the incident feeling shocked and shaken.
A video filmed from a school bus provided to NewmarketToday shows a man getting out of his vehicle on Huron Heights Drive and assaulting another man, who witnesses assumed was a crossing guard as he was wearing a reflective vest in the school area.
A resident, whose niece and nephew witnessed the disturbing attack, provided the video to NewmarketToday.
“The kids were crying and very upset,” the person, who requested anonymity, told NewmarketToday. “He banged the employee against the car and then behind the car he kicked him while he was on the ground. No one helped the guy. I am ashamed to be white.”
With the act taking place near Huron Heights Secondary School and with multiple school vehicles and students observing the Sept. 19 incident, York Region District School Board condemned the violent altercation.
"We are disappointed to see this act take place in one of the communities our schools serve," a YRDSB spokesperson told NewmarketToday. "There is no place for hate in York Region, and we hope this incident is addressed appropriately. As a school board, we will reach out to the school and offer support to students who witnessed this violence."
Officers were called to the area at about 4 p.m. Sept. 19 for a report of physical fight between two adult males, York Regional Police told NewmarketToday.
Due to racial slurs allegedly uttered during the altercation, the incident was investigated as a potential hate-motivated crime, Sgt. Clint Whitney said.
However, no charges have been laid at this time, he said.
A Town of Newmarket spokesperson confirmed the victim of the assault is a town employee, however he was off-duty at the time and didn’t identify as a town employee to police. The town confirmed the video has been seen by Mayor John Taylor.
“This incident was both disturbing and unacceptable. Any acts of racism, violence, prejudice or hate are unacceptable,” he said in a statement to NewmarketToday. “Hate has no place in Newmarket. We are striving to ensure a welcoming and inclusive community and encourage all Newmarket residents to help foster this environment. Let’s all work together to be part of the solution and build a community where everyone is treated with respect, kindness and compassion.”
York Region District School Board resources to support mental health can be accessed here.
