A taxi driver seen in a widely shared video from the Knicks’ championship celebrations has been identified. Moreover, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to support him. The fundraiser names him as 59-year-old Noureddine Bitat and says his cab was “severely damaged” during the aftermath of the Knicks’ Game 4 win. It also states he was “reportedly assaulted and dragged from his vehicle by a crowd.” This occurred as celebrations in Manhattan grew increasingly chaotic.
The video prompted a response that quickly moved beyond social media. Rapper French Montana brought the situation to Zachery “MDMotivator” Dereniowski, a content creator who often focuses on mental health initiatives. Additionally, working alongside the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, they helped launch a GoFundMe intended to “[get] Noureddine back on his feet and back to work.” The effort, organizers said, is aimed at helping him recover both financially and professionally after the incident.
The celebrations followed the Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs on June 13. This win secured the franchise’s first championship since 1973. In the hours after the final buzzer, fans poured out of Madison Square Garden and surrounding watch parties. Then, they filled nearby streets. Amid the noise and movement, a taxi became a focal point of attention. This happened when people climbed onto it during the festivities. As a result, the driver was left unable to continue his shift.
Viral clip spreads as French Montana calls for help amid Knicks celebration chaos
A video of the scene circulated quickly online, with the Out of Context Humans account describing the vehicle as “destroyed.” However, the clip does not fully show the extent of the damage or provide a complete view of what unfolded around it. After seeing the footage, French Montana posted a message calling for help locating the driver. He wrote, “Somebody find him for me so we can help him get back on his feet,” in an effort to direct support his way.
The broader celebrations across New York also included reports of disorder. According to CNN, 63 people were arrested. Incidents included damaged police vehicles and fires involving school buses in Times Square. Ten NYPD officers were injured, and a 17-year-old was shot in the foot during the unrest, officials said. The Knicks’ victory marked the end of a 53-year championship drought. This drought dated back to their 1973 title against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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