(CBS/AP) A suspected bias attack on four Jewish subway riders in New York City has resulted in a friendship between the Jewish victims and the Muslim college student who came to their aid.
Walter Adler is calling Hassan Askari a hero for intervening when Adler and three friends were assaulted on a subway train in lower Manhattan on Friday night.
The altercation erupted when Adler and his friends said "Happy Chanukah" to a group yelling "Merry Christmas" on the Brooklyn-bound train.
Adler told the New York Post that one of his attackers rolled up his sleeve to display a tattoo of Jesus Christ.
"Happy Chanukah. That's when the Jews killed Jesus," the attacker told Adler.
The 20-year-old Askari, who suffered two black eyes, said he tried to fight off the 10 attackers, giving Adler a chance to summon police by pulling an emergency brake.
Eight men and two women have pleaded not guilty to assault, menacing and other charges in the case.
clipped from: www.cbsnews.com