Tri-Service
Army Veteran Allegedly Racially Abused On Tram
A US Army veteran who was racially abused on a tram says the recent vote to leave the EU may have been to blame for the attack.
Juan Jasso said Brexit "maybe has pushed people to somehow justify that they think it's OK now to act out in this way" after three youths apparently shouted the abuse at him on a tram in Manchester city centre.
The former signals intelligence analyst challenged them over bad language but footage taken by a fellow commuter shows them allegedly retaliating by shouting:
"Don't chat s*** when you're not even from England, you little f****** immigrant. Get off the f****** tram now. Get back to Africa."
One of the youths, who all appear to be holding bottles of beer, then flicks alcohol from the bottle at Mr Jasso.
As they get off, Mr Jasso says "seven years in the military", as other commuters tell the three:
"You are an absolute disgrace. A disgrace to England."
They then walk away appearing to shout: "Salford! F****** immigrant!"
The sport lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University told Channel 4 News, “It was a bit of a surreal moment because initially it was just me asking those individuals just to watch their language.”
"Obviously it was really early in the morning, there was children about and I could tell from other people's faces on the tram they didn't really appreciate the language which they were using. So I thought I would step up and say something, and I didn't really appreciate it either."
Mr Jasso, from Todmorden in Yorkshire, said he thought the recent EU vote may have exacerbated some tensions:
"I think there was an undertone there before this Brexit and the voting within the referendum but I think the result maybe has pushed people to somehow justify that they think it's OK now to act out in this way which obviously it's not.”
He said the alleged incident was only the second time he had experienced anything of that type in 18 years living in the UK.
"It hasn't affected me in any way, shape or form because I have a little girl here now and I consider this my home, and I have got many many friends here, friends who I consider my family. I know a lot of people here and this place for me is now my home."
Two men, aged 20 and 18, and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of affray.
The two teenagers have been bailed until 10 August while the 20-year-old man remains in custody for questioning.
Cover image courtesy: Juan Jasso/Facebook
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
