NEW YORK – Recently, a troubling incident took place after Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York City, where Spurs fans faced violence from rival fans. Following the distressing social media videos showing these attacks, state Senator Roland Gutierrez voiced his concerns and called upon New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to take action.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gutierrez urged Mamdani to instruct the New York Police Department (NYPD) to ensure the safety of all fans. He stated, “So, Mayor Mamdani, I would appreciate that you do anything in your power to get your police to get your people in check. Because it’s one thing to be a fan; it’s another thing to be a criminal.”
The senator’s call to action came after videos surfaced online showing large groups attacking Spurs fans, attempting to forcibly remove their jerseys. Gutierrez condemned these actions, stating, “Assaulting young men and women who have Spurs shirts is unacceptable. And you need to get your cops in the right direction here because something is wrong.”
Reports from the NYPD indicated that a group of men targeted a Spurs fan wearing his team’s jersey, leading to him being kicked and punched. The 39-year-old victim was subsequently hospitalized for his injuries.
Additionally, another incident occurred during a Knicks watch party at Bryant Park, where WABC reported that 21 individuals were arrested, and five police officers were injured. Disturbingly, one person even set fire to a Spurs T-shirt while other fans were chased down the street.
‘It’s unacceptable’
In response to the violence, Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama expressed his disappointment during a media availability session. He emphasized, “My thoughts, of course, are that — I mean — we can’t forget it’s a game. We’re just playing a game out there. And I am all for, you know, passion. But, to the respect of each other, it’s unacceptable.”
New York mayor’s response
In light of these events, Mayor Mamdani issued a statement acknowledging the passion that New Yorkers have for the Knicks. He noted, “New Yorkers are understandably passionate about the Knicks, and the overwhelming majority of fans watched the game last night in ways that were both safe and fun. But the fights and other disruptive incidents — including assaults on police officers — in various parts of the city are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
He encouraged all New Yorkers to celebrate the NBA Finals respectfully, stating, “As the NBA Finals continue, Mayor Mamdani wants all New Yorkers to celebrate and enjoy this run across the city while respecting one another.”
