13-Year-Old Boy Attacked at Flushing Playground, Told to “Go Back to Your Country”

The hateful attack took place inside Bowne Playground, located at 142-20 Barclay Ave., Wednesday (Google Maps)

March 18, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

A 13-year-old boy – who was told to “go back to your country” by a group of teens in Flushing Wednesday – appears to be the latest victim of the anti-Asian hate crimes sweeping across the nation.

The boy was playing basketball inside Bowne Playground, located at 142-20 Barclay Ave., on Wednesday evening at around 6:30 p.m., when he got into an argument with three other teens, according to police.

The young boy was then shoved to the ground by one of the suspects, police said.

As the victim tried to get up, the teens repeatedly threw a basketball at him. The ball struck him multiple times in the head and face causing redness, swelling and pain, according to police.

The attackers shouted Anti-Asian statements to the boy, “Stupid, f—–g Chinese. Go back to your country.”

The boy was taken to Flushing Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

No arrests have been made and the incident is being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.

The attack follows a number of anti-Asian racism incidents that have taken place in Queens, and in other places all over the country, over the past year—with the bigotry tied in part to the outbreak of COVID-19.

A candlelight vigil is being held in Sunnyside tonight in remembrance of Asian Americans who have been killed in bias attacks over the past year — including the victims of the Atlanta area shooting Tuesday night.

The event will take place at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard from 6:30 p.m. It is being organized by District 26 candidates Julie Won and Steve Raga, who are both Asian American.