An Arab-American living in Brooklyn claims she was attacked and insulted right in front of the Arab American Association of New York.

The alleged attack happened in broad daylight by the front door of the building. Director Linda Sarsour says she noticed a man she assumed was intoxicated lying outside.

When she and another co-worker stepped outside to call the authorities and have him removed, she says he jolted up and tried to attack them. Sarsour claims the man began shouting racist comments.

She believes she was attacked because of her Arabic descent. Sarsour says she and her co-worker ran for their lives as the man picked up a heavy city trash can and lunged it at them.

She again called 911, but no officer had yet arrived, so the co-workers took refuge in a nearby store. She says authorities finally arrived on scene after what she estimates was about 45 minutes.

Sarsour and other Arab civil rights activists are critical of the police response time to the incident. News 12 Brooklyn reached out to the NYPD for comment, but has not yet heard back.

Sarsour says attacks and racially-motivated incidents are not common. With tensions growing in the Middle East, she says it's important to make the distinction that not all those of Arabic descent side with radical extremists.

The alleged attacker, 45-year-old Brian Boshell, was arrested. He is facing charges of aggravated harassment as a hate crime, among others.