Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Victoria Scheer

Jewish woman describes life of racism after hate crime filmed outside Leeds Wetherspoons

A Jewish woman who was told "we should've gassed the lot of you" has spoken of her anger and the countless incidents of antisemitism she's faced throughout her life.

Danielle Greyman, 21, was sitting outside the Hedley Verity JD Wetherspoon pub in Leeds city centre when she was called "a fool" by a woman sitting nearby after giving a homeless man £5.

An argument between her, the woman and a man ensued and Danielle started to film it when it became racist.

In the video, the man can be heard saying "we should have gassed the lot of you" after asking her if she was Jewish.

"I know I should feel sad or scared but I just feel angry," said Danielle, a sociology student at The University of Leeds.

"I feel angry that somebody can look me in the eye and say that to me.

'I feel disgusted'

She added: "Everyone makes it seem like it [antisemitism] is just 70 years ago but it's not, it's every day."

The 21-year-old said that there have been countless incidents of antisemitism she and her family have had to face.

"When my brother was 13 he was attacked on his way to school by a group of boys and was beaten up for being Jewish. My mum was kicked in the back of her leg so hard during a protest she got a blood clot," said Danielle.

"I've only been to Jewish schools and every one of them had to have two security gates and security there 24/7.

"It's insane how much we have to watch out for ourselves, I don't think people realise."

Since her video was made public, Danielle said she has been overwhelmed by support.

"So many people have reached out and asked if they can help or if I needed to talk, I honestly never would've expected this many people to care," said Danielle.

"A lot of Jewish people have contacted me to tell me their own experiences of antisemitism but a lot of non-Jews have contacted me as well, which I thought was amazing."

Danielle also praised her friend Isabel Stock who was with her at the time.

"She was absolutely fantastic throughout. She was so calm and went to get the manager and handled the phone call with the police," said Danielle.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they were called around 5.45pm on August 6, to a report of a hate incident.

They said: "The victim reported being verbally abused by the suspects outside a bar on Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, before they made off."

Police have said that their enquiries are currently ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 101 quoting log 1439 of 06/08.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Any incidents motivated by hostility and hate are unacceptable and are taken very seriously by West Yorkshire Police.

"If you believe you have been subject to a hate related incident, you should contact police and report it."

While most people in the video have been identified, no arrest has been made so far.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.