New damage found outside Taste of Italy as controversy over social media post continues

LATHAM, N.Y. (WNYT) — New developments emerged Thursday morning outside Taste of Italy in Latham as the restaurant remains at the center of controversy following an anti-Muslim social media comment posted after the death of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi.

Related: Taste of Italy Facebook post sparks outrage over anti-Muslim comment

Early Thursday morning, NewsChannel 13 observed new damage outside the restaurant. The business’s front sign appeared to be partially torn off.

A Colonie police officer was outside the restaurant Thursday morning but did not confirm or deny any details about what happened.

NewsChannel 13 has reached out to the Colonie Police Department to ask whether the damage is being investigated as vandalism and whether any arrests have been made. As of publication, police have not responded.

The damage comes less than a day after dozens of people gathered outside the Latham restaurant to protest an anti-Muslim comment that was posted from the restaurant’s Facebook page following the death of Nagi.

Related: Anti-Muslim post tied to Latham restaurant sparks protest

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