A couple have spoken about the moment they were beaten up for defending themselves from a homophobic gang of men.
Emma MacLean and girlfriend Tori were walking home from Emma’s birthday celebration when they passed the group of 10 men.
One of them made a sexually degrading comment towards Emma so Tori stood up for her saying ‘hey, that’s my girlfriend.’
He continued making offensive and homophobic remarks at the couple before they were set upon by the group.
Emma told CTV News: ‘I see Tori being pushed on the stairs right in front of the BMO Centre, and they are cement stairs, and she’s on her back – that’s when all the men started punching and kicking her.
‘The fight-or-flight came in. I basically jumped on one of their backs and put them in a chokehold – trying to restrain them.’
They threw several punches and kicks to their faces and ribs, leaving the couple with injuries including a broken nose, chipped tooth, and several swollen areas and bruises on their heads and faces.
Emma later shared video and screenshots of the group of men who attacked her and Tori.
She said the group appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, possibly from Syria, and estimated they were aged 18-25.
Screaming can be heard in the distressing footage as the group of men surrounded the couple, who were lying on the ground.
One of the women managed to get up and appeared to be trying to intervene to protect her partner as the men attempted to keep them apart.
Several people were filmed standing and watching the assault and not intervening.
A bystander called police but the fight had ended by the time officers arrived.
They spoke with one of the men involved, who blamed the fight on the two women, while the rest of the men refused to cooperate or show their IDs to police, Emma said.
Emma later appealed for witnesses to the attack in Halifax, Canada, to get in touch.
She said: ‘We are extremely thankful that things were not worse.
‘If anyone has any further information or had witnessed this event, or has personal video footage, I would be extremely grateful if you could share it.
‘Stay safe and happy pride month.’
Police are investigating.
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