New York City leaders, led by Senator Jesse Hamilton and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, gathered in Thursday afternoon to take a stand against violence aimed at the LGBTQ community after another bias attack last week.

A 36-year-old gay man was hit three times in the face with a rock on Utica Avenue around 9:20 p.m. on June 30.

Police say a group of suspects surrounded the victim before one struck with a rock, causing bleeding from the nose and pain.

One suspect allegedly knocked his phone to the ground, preventing him from calling police.

Slurs were reportedly used during the attack.

Two suspects — 18-year-old Safire Ellington and and 33-year-old Leroy Bacchus, were taken into custody. Ellington is charged with assault as a hate crime, aggravated harassment/race religion, criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful assembly, unlawful possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct. Bacchus is charged with assault as a hate crime, aggravated harassment/race religion, criminal mischief as a hate crime, criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful assembly, unlawful possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct.

Other suspects are also being sought.

The victim, who lives on nearby St. John’s Place, was treated for his injuries.

The lawmakers met at the scene to decry the incident, and they were joined by several organizations, including the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Chutney Pride, Caribbean American Pride, Empire Pride Agenda, Make the Road New York, and the Brooklyn Community Pride Center.

To view the original article, click here.