The Post had the first report:
The beatdown happened when the brothers, both 27-year-old Columbia graduate students, noticed the large group of “skinheads” hanging inside one of their usual haunts called Clockwork on Essex Street and decided to head for the exits around 12:30 a.m.
On the way out the door, they ran into a group of smokers outside who noticed the sticker on one of their phones reading “New York City Anti-Fascists.”
“One of the guys … sees [my brother’s] phone, grabs it and starts screaming, ‘I know what the f— that means, I know what the f— that sticker is, you need to get the f— out of here,’” said one of the victims, who asked to remain anonymous.
“He throws the phone on the ground and they just start jumping us right in front of the bar.”
Six to seven men, all wearing matching vests with patches that read "211 Crew," reportedly took place in the fight.
Police arrested one of the group members, identified as John Young, 29, of Washington, D.C., according to DNAinfo. The charges against Young include two counts of assault as well as menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.
Gothamist has more details on the attack here.
Yesterday afternoon, the bar, which opened in 2013 at 21 Essex St. between Hester and Canal, released the following statement...
Clockwork Bar would like to express its concern for the victims of the attacks on Feb. 11 on Essex and Hester streets. Our hearts go out to them. And we pray for a speedy recovery.
We would also like to state clearly that Clockwork Bar does NOT endorse, sympathize, nor invite the views and beliefs of Neo-Nazi, supremacist hate groups. These groups and their views are not welcome at our establishment. They have never been, nor will ever be invited or allowed in our bar. We apologize for what happened and are taking steps to prevent future instances as well as working with the NYPD to increase awareness and security for our patrons.
Furthermore, it is fundamental to Clockwork Bar, its ownership and staff that we are not a Neo-Nazi, white supremacist or hate group association establishment. Clockwork is about music, friendship and good times. Anything else is hereby prohibited.
The two brothers reportedly suffered cuts and bruises to their faces and bodies and were taken to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. One brother required five staples to close a wound on his head.
ABC 7 had an interview last evening with one of the brothers:
"I'm completely shocked, and I'm appalled by it," the victim said. "I feel like these organizations are sort of being emboldened to come out of the woodwork now, just because of the general sentiment that's going on."
The Clockwork Bar also updated their profile photo last evening...
Updated — Gothamist has more today, reporting: "It turns out that Matt Restuccia, lead singer of the right-wing oi band Lonewolf and a 211 member, was DJing an after-party at Clockwork on the night of the attack. A flyer for the DJ set advertises it as an after-party for a concert by the legendary English punk band Cock Sparrer."
