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NYC bodega worker rally calling for murder charges to be dropped

By and FOX 5 NY Staff
Updated  July 13, 2022 5:26pm EDT
Manhattan
FOX 5 NY

Rally held for bodega worker charged in fatal stabbing

A rally was held outside of City Hall on Friday, calling for charges to be dropped against bodega worker Jose Alba after he was arrested for fatally stabbing a customer in what he and supports say was self-defense.

NEW YORK - Jose Alba, the bodega worker charged with murder, is expected to make a statement during a rally outside City Hall Wednesday afternoon.

Bodega owners and workers are expected to gather at Noon calling for the charge to be dropped. The gathering comes a day after supporters met with the Manhattan District Attorney who is investigating the case.

They say Alba, a beloved worker at the Hamilton Heights store, was acting in self-defense when he stabbed a man to death on July 1.

Bragg’s office charged Alba with second-degree murder.

Call to drop worker murder charge

Representatives of the United Bodegas of America will meet with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to drop the murder charge against Jose Alba.

Surveillance video shows Simon came behind the counter and assaulted Alba after the worker refused to hand over a bag of chips that Simon’s girlfriend tried to buy with an EBT card that was declined. 

The criminal complaint says Simon’s girlfriend stabbed Alba in the melee. 

She hasn’t been charged.

Alba broke his silence Monday as he waits to learn if the charge against him will be dropped.

Outrage after Manhattan bodega worker charged with murder

Many are outraged after a Manhattan bodega worker was arrested in connection with the death of a customer who surveillance video shows menacing and attacking him.

 "Please forgive me," he told the New York Post in responding to a question about the message he wants to send to Simon’s family.

Spokesman Douglas Cohen issued the following statement regarding the meeting with the bodega owners union:

"Since taking office, D.A. Bragg has met with numerous business owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders about public safety. Today’s conversation centered on how to keep bodega owners and workers safe, including in a post-Bruen world when more people may legally obtain and carry firearms. D.A. Bragg expressed support for New York’s strong gun laws, and emphasized that more guns in our communities make us less safe. We welcomed the opportunity to discuss how we can work together to promote safety on our streets and in our workplaces, and look forward to continuing these conversations."