2 Lakers fans say they were assaulted after anthem protest at preseason game

ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- Two Lakers fans said they were assaulted when they decided to kneel during the national anthem at a preseason game in Ontario.

The fans, Jiahn Talebi and Mathew Brady, attended the event on Oct. 4 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. After the national anthem, the men were verbally harassed and called vulgar names, according to their attorneys.

A woman then went up to the men and threw her drink on them and called them vulgar names, the attorneys said. The woman and her friend also recorded the altercation on a cellphone and later posted it on social media. Attorneys for the two men said the women eventually deleted the videos.

WARNING: Video below contains graphic language

As the two men were exiting the arena, they were then grabbed by the neck by a man outside as security stood nearby, according to their attorneys.

Despite the attack, their attorneys said, the responding police chose to "let the offender leave and threatened to arrest" both men. Witnesses also tried to come forward and give statements, according to a press release from the attorneys.

"The arena security and the Ontario Police Department failed to protect Talebi and Brady from these vicious attacks," the release went on to say.

The men's attorneys held a press conference Tuesday in an effort to get any additional videos that may be out there and witnesses to come forward.