Police Seek Two Women in Alleged Racist Attack on International Students in Sydney

New South Wales Police are searching for two women in connection with an alleged racist attack and assault on a group of international students in Sydney's Central Business District early last Saturday. One of the students, Lenny Tai, 29, stated he is too scared to leave his home nearly a week after the incident.

Mai and two friends were reportedly waiting for a ride-share near Sydney's Central Station around 3 a.m. when two women, believed to be in their 20s, allegedly began taunting them from across the street, repeatedly shouting, "Do you want Pokemon cards?"

According to the students, they attempted to de-escalate the situation by walking away, but the women allegedly followed and confronted them, hurling racist and sexually explicit abuse. Video footage from the confrontation shows one woman pushing the students while the other recorded the incident on her phone. The woman filming allegedly yelled, "You wanna f****** say that to my face, c***? In Australia? … You will never be let back in our country."

During the altercation, Tai was allegedly grabbed by the neck, leaving him with scratches on his face. He told the Sydney Morning Herald that he has been experiencing nightmares and difficulty sleeping and eating since the event, stating, "I live very close to where it happened. I don't feel safe."

Another friend, Minghao Zhan, 20, expressed similar fears, saying, "I feel really scared. I think it's not just Chinese students … These people hate Asians."

The alleged assault occurred at a bus stop at the corner of Pitt and Hay streets in Haymarket. NSW Police have released descriptions of the two women they wish to speak with. The first woman is described as Caucasian, approximately 160cm tall, of large build, with long brown hair, wearing a black jacket, green top, black cargo pants, and black shoes. The second woman is described as Caucasian, approximately 160cm tall, of large build, with brown hair, wearing a brown top, red skirt, and a black hat. Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.