A charity bike expedition by the life-saving council turned into a tragedy due to a surge of xenophobia and simple ignorance. In Ostrava, Czech Republic, a group of Polish men brutally beat their own compatriot — Kuba Hejsig from Chorzów. The attackers mistook him for a Ukrainian because of his yellow-blue hat with the inscription “GÓRNY ŚLĄSK” (Upper Silesia).
Route to save his pregnant wife
Kuba Hejsig set out on a large bike ride covering 800 kilometers along the historical borders of Upper Silesia as part of the “Rajza dla Marceliny” campaign. The purpose of the ride was to draw attention to a charity fundraiser for the treatment of his common-law wife Marcelina. The couple is raising three children together and expecting a fourth. During her pregnancy, the woman was diagnosed with cervical cancer, so the family began a difficult fight for her life and the health of the unborn baby.
Attack in the center of Ostrava
On Friday evening in the center of Ostrava, unknown people (most likely also Polish citizens) attacked Kuba. The attackers knocked the cyclist to the ground, brutally beat and kicked him while shouting insults against “Ukrainians and Banderites.” The reason for the aggression was the patriotic hat in the yellow-blue colors of Upper Silesia, which the aggressors confused with the national flag of Ukraine.
The victim was hospitalized with multiple injuries for examinations. The case of the attack was officially handed over to the Czech police, who are now investigating all the circumstances of the incident.
Fundraising exploded after the tragedy
On Saturday, Kuba Hejsig announced that due to his injuries and psychological condition, he was forced to stop the expedition and return home to his family.
However, the tragic event gave the charity initiative unexpected publicity. Outraged by the attack, people began donating massively to support the family. In just one night after the information about the beating was published, the fundraiser for Marcelina’s treatment was fully funded, exceeding the target amount of 300,000 zlotys.
