Send this page to someone via email

WATCH ABOVE: Moon begins to weep as he tries to explain his ordeal.

TORONTO – An Ohio man in the process of turning his dad’s old house into a community centre focused on stopping violence claims to have been brutally attacked after confronting people who broke into the facility.

Ronald Moon, Jr. says that he’s currently converting the house his father purchased 25 years ago at 1853 Kinney Ave. in the Evanston neighbourhood of Cincinnati.

Story continues below advertisement

He claims to have left his job two months ago to fully dedicate himself to the project. But on Wednesday, he ran into a group of five people who he alleges tried to break into the home and beat him.

“This is the first video message I’ve ever made,” he began in a YouTube video posted the same day. “This is probably the hardest one I’ll ever make.” Tweet This

According to Moon, he recorded the video approximately 30 minutes after the attack detailing what happened and how he felt. It has since gone viral and has been watched over 600,000 times at this writing.

“Today I came across the people that’s been breaking in there. This is what they did to me,” he said as he showed the camera injuries to his face, elbow and back.

He soon began to weep.

“I’m tired of struggling — sick of it. I’m just trying to do the best that I can for my people.” Tweet This

Moon has since gone on to set up GoFundMe and Indiegogo fundraising accounts for the community centre. The GoFundMe page, in particular, stated a goal of $5000 (all figures U.S.) but that has been easily eclipsed. As of this writing, nearly $43,000 has been raised.

He says his intent is to “file as a 501c3 (nonprofit organization) to sustain this resource for years to come.”

Story continues below advertisement

“The goal I have is to offer this place as a space where ideas, skills, and resources can be shared among this neighborhood and with surrounding neighborhoods in Cincinnati. – regular open discussions

– story telling

– poetry and creative writing

– yoga and meditation

– dance

– craft and jewelry making

– carpentry

– tailoring

– gardening

– plumbing

– recording and music engineering

– cultural education

– computing

*If someone can teach it and another can learn it, it is precisely what this place would be interested in housing.” Tweet This

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO

Despite the treatment he allegedly received — he says he’s not giving up. And he also has a message.

“What you see other black people tell you, don’t doubt it because it’s real. The pain we feel is real. The hurt we feel is real. “But I still love all my people. I love everyone. I love you.” Tweet This

Story continues below advertisement