New York City taxi driver Noureddine Bitat, 59, has received $75,000 in support after his cab was destroyed by celebrating New York Knicks fans following a Game 4 victory in the NBA Finals. The incident, which occurred near Madison Square Garden on June 13, left Bitat traumatized and unable to continue his work as a driver. Rapper French Montana spearheaded the fundraising effort, which also includes a pledge to cover Bitat's living expenses for several months.
According to CBS News, Bitat was forcibly removed from his taxi and assaulted by a crowd celebrating the Knicks' win. The mob then proceeded to smash the vehicle's windshield and stomp on its roof, causing extensive damage. "His taxi was destroyed after a Knicks game, leaving Noureddine Bitat so traumatized that he said he is longer able to work as a driver," CBS News stated in a social media post.
The harrowing event, captured in a viral video, deeply affected French Montana, who has a personal connection to the taxi industry as his own father worked as a cab driver after immigrating to the U.S. "I just saw a man trying to feed his family," the Grammy-nominated artist told "CBS Mornings." He added that Bitat, an Algerian immigrant, was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and "doesn't even know what the Knicks is."
French Montana collaborated with YouTuber Zachery Dereniowski and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance to launch a GoFundMe campaign. The initiative quickly surpassed its initial goals, raising $75,000 from over 2,000 donors. This collective effort not only provided financial relief but also offered a sense of community support to Bitat, who had expressed feeling like his life was turned upside down.
Bitat suffered physical injuries, including broken glasses and a diabetic attack, and continues to experience back pain and vision problems. He has stated he does not wish to return to driving. French Montana has committed to assisting Bitat with living expenses until he determines his next steps. One individual has been arrested in connection with the vandalism, which was part of broader unrest following the Knicks' historic championship win.
