New York, NY – It was a hero’s welcome today for Lassana Bathily, the French supermarket employee who risked his own lives to save Jewish shoppers when terrorists went on a rampage at the Hyper Cache kosher supermarket in Paris this past January.
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Bathily, a Malaysian immigrant to France, was welcomed to New York by both Mayor de Blasio and members of the City Council. The 25 year old Bathily, who is of the Muslim faith, escorted patrons to the store’s basement during the January 9th attack and also provided key information to law enforcement during the terror attack.
Bathily was accompanied by the NYPD’s Muslim Officer Society during his visit with the mayor, who praised and thanked him for his heroic actions. The two also discussed the impact of terror attacks, both internationally and locally, as well as the need to combat hate and terror.
During his visit to City Hall, Bathily also met with several members of the City Council including Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Councilman Mark Levine, chair of the council’s Jewish caucus, Councilman I. Daneek Miller, and Councilman Mark Treyger.
“Lassan Bathily is a true hero and we thank him for his courage on that terrible day in Paris,” said Mark-Viverito in a written statement released by the City Council. “In the face of fear and danger, Mr. Bathily showed selfless bravery and saved many lives. New York City stands in solidarity with Paris and its commitment to protecting religious tolerance for all.”
de Blaio presented Bathily with a proclamation in honor of his bravery at the Islamic Center of Brighton Beach this afternoon, noting that Bathily’s actions have made him famous throughout the world and serve to encourage others to stand up for their fellow man.
“Lassana inspires us because he protected people, people who didn’t necessarily come from the same country, or practice the same faith, or have the same skin color, but for Lassana they were fellow human beings worth of protection and his example has now encouraged people all over the world to believe we can overcome those differences and find unity,” said de Blasio.
I thank you too.
Proud of your heroic act.
You shall be blessed
This individual, Mr. Lassan Basily, not only hid a number of Jews in the freezer of the Kosher Supermarket, while it was under attack, (saving their lives), but risked his own life by fleeing from the supermarket during the siege; he could have remained in the freezer where it was safer. Once outside, he summoned help. However, when he found the French security forces, they held him at gunpoint, and detained him for over an hour, as they didn’t believe his story. Incidentally, this article incorrectly stated that Mr. Basily was a Malaysian. Actually, he is from Mali, in Africa.
He gave good details to police or army about layout of place and that was a life saver when they raided.