Carolina Reyes Pozada, wife of the Uber driver who was assaulted on May 3 in North Carolina after revealing to his passenger that he was Cuban, has launched a plea for help through the fundraising platform GiveSendGo.
Carolina has not hesitated to describe the incident as "an attempted murder motivated by hate and racism," and she denounces it as "an act of cruel and unjustifiable violence" solely because of her husband's origin.
"Fortunately, my husband survived, but the physical, emotional, and financial consequences are devastating. Since that day, he lives in fear and no longer feels safe returning to work. Not only that: I am also facing health issues; I have two hernias that make it difficult for me to work," the woman added.
The family—with young children and no stable income—has suddenly seen the life they worked so hard to build come crashing down.
Through the GiveSendGo platform, Reyes Pozada seeks to raise $10,000 to cover legal, medical, and basic living expenses. So far, they have only raised $448.
“Today, more than ever, we need your support. We want to fight for justice, to ensure that this perpetrator faces legal consequences, and to protect our family. But the legal and medical costs are overwhelming, and if my husband cannot continue working, our situation becomes unsustainable.”
Carolina breaks down the allocation of the donations as follows:
• Cover the legal fees to bring the aggressor to justice.
• Fund medical treatments and psychological support for my husband.
• Support our family while he recovers and we navigate this process.
Her letter concludes with a message of sorrow, but also of faith:
“We should not be afraid to work to feed our families. We should not live in fear of being attacked by those who do not accept our roots. Help us raise our voices against hate and to take care of our loved ones. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our story, for sharing it, and for supporting us during this difficult time. May God multiply your generosity.”
The attack
On the night of May 3rd, the Cuban Osvaldo Rivera McIntosh was working as an Uber driver in Charlotte, North Carolina. He picked up a passenger in the area of Providence Road.
The man, apparently intoxicated, began to ask him hostile questions about his background. When he replied that he was Cuban, the passenger became violent.
“He took off my seatbelt and tried to suffocate me with it,” Rivera previously recounted in statements to the press.
The video, recorded by the vehicle's camera, shows the attacker wrapping the belt around the driver's neck.
Later, he attempted to strangle him with his hands while pushing from the back seat with his feet.
A private patrol managed to intervene in time and prevented a greater tragedy. The attacker also attempted to assault the officers.
The police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, but so far the attacker has not been arrested or identified. Uber has suspended his account and the FBI is aware of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Racist Attack on a Cuban Uber Driver in the U.S.
What happened to the Cuban Uber driver in North Carolina?
The Cuban driver Osvaldo Rivera McIntosh was attacked by a passenger on May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, after revealing that he was Cuban. The passenger, apparently intoxicated, attempted to strangle him with a belt and then with his hands.
What measures are being taken to find the assailant?
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating the case as a possible hate crime, although the attacker has not yet been arrested or identified. Uber has suspended their account, and the FBI is aware of the case.
How is the driver's family dealing with the aftermath of the attack?
The family of Osvaldo Rivera is facing devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences. His wife, Carolina Reyes Pozada, has started a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo to cover legal, medical, and living expenses, as Rivera does not feel safe returning to work.
What support is being requested for the family of the assaulted driver?
Carolina Reyes Pozada is requesting donations through GiveSendGo to raise $10,000. The funds will be used to cover legal fees, medical treatments, psychological support, and the family's livelihood while Rivera recovers.
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