Few days back, 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel was left partially paralysed after a US police officer confronted him aggressively in the US. The police brutality happened without any provocation and this has left the Indian community in shock and anger.
Sympathizing with the victim, concerned NRIs have now raised $125K to cover Patel's medical expenses, according to a report published in The Times of India.
Sureshbhai Patel had come to the US two weeks ago to stay with his son in a suburb of Huntsville, Alabama.
Last week, while walking down the sidewalk in the neighbourhood he was stopped by the police. Since he did not know English, he was unable to respond to the questions asked by police except for saying "no English" and in between he put his hand in one of his pockets.
The policeman on duty, as shown in a video, forced him on the ground, injuring Patel, who is now partly paralysed and undergoing treatment in a hospital.
The cop who allegedly assaulted him was released from custody on Friday on a $1,000 bond.
Officer Eric Parker has been charged with third degree assault, which is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama, rating up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Under state law, a person commits third-degree assault if he or she "recklessly causes physical injury to another person". The Madison police in the jurisdiction where the incident took place has also said Parker will be sacked.
The community and concerned American citizens has now put its money where its mouth is, raising $125,588 (at the time of writing) for Patel's medical expenses against an initial target of $25,000 that was later raised to $100,000.
From four anonymous donations of $1,000 each, people have contributed as little as $10 in an unprecedented show of support for Patel, who is said to be uninsured although he came to America on a green card by virtue of his son's citizenship.
Patel has been partly paralyzed and is currently under treatment at a city hospital.
