Two New York city apartment building staff have been dismissed for doing nothing to help a 65-year-old Asian American woman being attacked outside their front door.
The two were the subject of anger after being seen in a video closing the doors of the apartment building as the woman was beaten in broad daylight.
Building owner, The Brodsky Organization, said it continued to investigate.
"While the full lobby video shows that once the assailant had departed, the (staff) emerged to assist the victim and flag down a police vehicle, it is clear that required emergency and safety protocols were not followed. For this reason, their employment has been terminated, effective immediately," the company said.
The Brodsky Organization said it would be working with the local Asian American and Pacific Islander community to fight anti-Asian hate crimes. The company said it would conduct "comprehensive retraining" of all its building staff members nationwide.
The Service Employees International Union, which represents the two workers, said it wasn't involved in the decision. The union said the two employees had the right to file grievances.
"We believe that all union workers, especially workers of color who are often the subject of unfair treatment on the job, have a right to a fair process as outlined in their contract," the union said.
In the 11.40 a.m., March 29 attack video shows a man attacking the Asian woman - kicking her in the stomach and knocking her to the ground. He kicked her repeatedly in the face while shouting "anti-Asian statements."
Police have arrested 38-year-old Brandon Elliot. He reportedly lived in a nearby hotel. He faces charges of assault as a hate crime and attempted assault as a hate crime.
Police said Elliot served 17 years in prison after being convicted of stabbing and killing his mother in 2002.
