This is the shocking moment black partygoers took cover when a white neighbor sprayed them with a hose during a surprise birthday dinner thrown by a prominent New York City doctor for his sister.
The 19 partygoers filed a lawsuit this month against Marcus Rosebrock, claiming he used the tactic as a tool “reminiscent” of 1960s Birmingham, Alabama, when white officers used fire hoses to disperse black civil rights activists.
The video, from Queens, New York City, was released by their attorneys on Wednesday.
They appear surprised by the incident and are seen wiping away the first jet of water from their faces.
It was claimed that Rosebrock began his alleged attack with mild thrush after complaining that the noise from the party was ‘too loud’.
This is the shocking moment black partygoers ran for cover when a white neighbor sprayed them with a hose during a surprise birthday dinner hosted by a prominent New York City doctor
“He was the one I expected trouble from,” host Yves Duroseau can be heard saying, pointing to Rosebrock’s house and looking puzzled by the incident.
As the guests struggle with the absurd situation, another strong current can be seen erupting over the fence as those present scream for cover as they are drenched in the attack.
‘I film the neighbors throwing water on everyone at Rose’s party. “I’m filming the neighbor throwing water at us,” you hear the camerawoman shout.
A guest who attended a surprise birthday dinner in Queens for a prominent black doctor (pictured) says his white neighbor made him feel “less than animals.”
Reggae artist Dawn Penn’s “No, No, No” can be heard in the background of the video, with Rosebrock’s spray stopping as soon as the music is turned off.
“We’re calling the police,” the camerawoman said before the video ended.
A guest who attended the surprise birthday dinner for Duroseau’s sister Rosevony says they felt “less than animals” when they were hosed down by his white neighbor.
“We experienced a very specific, very heinous type of attack that harkens back to a dark period in the history of this country,” 47-year-old prosecutor Katya Dossous told police. New York Post in a statement through her lawyers Tuesday.
“I believe an attack was premeditated, deliberate and thoughtful, with the intention of making us feel ‘less than’ as animals.”
The lawsuit in Brooklyn Supreme Court, filed by 19 revelers, alleges that Dossous “attempted to speak calmly to (Rosebrock) in an attempt to get (him) to stop.”
All guests in attendance were black and Latino, with the exception of one white guest, the outlet reported.
An aerial view shows Dr. Yves Duroseau’s home bordering Marcus Rosebrock’s property in a leafy suburb of Queens, New York City
“Rosebrock also pointed his water hose at Plaintiff Dossous at high intensity and viciously sprayed her from head to toe with water,” the complaint alleges.
A statement from the 47-year-old said: ‘Water hoses have long been used against people of color… Mr. Rosebrock chose this specific method with the intent to dehumanize us.’
The A-list guest list included music director Rigo Morales, former Fordham Law classmates of Rosevony’s, and was hosted by Vanessa Cantave – winner of season 11 of Bravo show ‘Rocco’s Dinner Party’.
On September 17 around 9:50 p.m., the festivities came to an abrupt end after a white woman with a German shepherd came by and demanded the music be turned down, the complaint alleges.
Rosebrock then allegedly drenched guests with his hose, a move “reminiscent” of 1960s Birmingham Alabama when police used fire hoses to break up civil rights activists, the court documents allege.
The group enjoyed a nine-course alfresco dinner prepared by TV chef Vanessa Cantave (pictured), who won the 2011 Bravo reality cooking competition Rocco’s Dinner Party.
Duroseau, pictured receiving the Covid vaccine in 2020, and 18 others have filed suit against Rosebrock, claiming the incident violated their civil rights
“We feel completely insulted and obligated as proud New Yorkers and American citizens to share how deeply devastating, sickening and insulting this incident was,” Dossous told The Post.
“We will not allow racist intimidation to continue. We feel obliged to use our voice against any form of racist intimidation.”
Plaintiff’s attorney Mina Malik denounced Rosebrock’s actions, saying he has shown little remorse for his alleged actions.
“Our clients are kind, hardworking and dedicated professionals who have made positive contributions to our society, and they should not have been treated inhumanely,” Malik said.
“Marcus Rosebrock’s lack of responsibility and remorse speaks volumes.”
Rosebrock’s attorney, Brandon Gillard, said in a statement Tuesday that his client “refutes any characterization that he is racist or that his actions are racially motivated.”
A Google Street View image shows the front of Dr. Duroseau’s home in Queens, New York City
The neighbor, Marcus Rosebrock, lives in a building adjacent to Doctor Duroseau’s home
Gillard went on to say it is a “false equivalence” to compare partygoers to civil rights protesters who claim Duroseau attendees were “aggressive and violent.”
He did not elaborate on the neighbors’ alleged actions that evening, the Post reported.
Dereck Sells, another attorney for the plaintiff, said in a statement to the newspaper that Gillard’s statement “is an attempt to blame victims and rewrite history.”
He added that his clients showed “remarkable restraint” after the alleged incident, only calling the police and filing charges.