VIDEO: Race debate stirred as man beaten, stripped at Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day

In the early morning hours following St. Patrick’s Day in Baltimore, a man was viciously attacked and humiliated as bystanders refused to help. He was robbed and beaten, stripped of his clothes, and left on the street as people laughed and mocked him — and it was all caught on video. The clips, uploaded on YouTube and also posted on World Star Hip Hop, have gone viral.

The victim has been identified as a 31-year-old man from Arlington, Va. Two different videos posted online show the event unfold. The man, who appears intoxicated, can be seen standing near a wall as revelers dance around him. Another man grabs something out of his pocket. The victim tries to follow him to retrieve it, and the pickpocket punches him in the face, knocking the victim to the ground.

The second video shows a group of men stripping the victim of his clothes — even his underwear— and taking what is in his pockets, before leaving him naked and alone in the street. No one tries to stop the attack. The people shooting the video and those nearby can be heard laughing and mocking the victim.

The videos have sparked shock and outrage among the public, as illustrated by comments posted on YouTube. Many Internet users insist this was a hate crime, as the victim is white and all of his attackers are black. The clip has incited a slew of counter-racist comments.

“Idiots. ANIMALS. Nothing to be proud of, and everyone of them should be caught, prosecuted to the FULLEST extent of the law…,” one user said.

Some users have drawn a connection to Trayvon Martin’s death on Feb. 26 from the video.

“That was for Trayvon….. [expletive] the crackas!” another user posted.  

According to CNN, Baltimore police have identified one suspect, but have yet to make an arrest.

“Not only did they rob him, but they attempted to strip him of his dignity. They tore his clothes off; they mocked him. That behavior just will not be tolerated,” said Detective Nicole Monroe.