Danny Trejo claims xenophobia behind ‘targeted’ attack that led to Fourth of July parade

Danny Trejo claims the punches he threw at a recent Fourth of July parade were in retaliation for a “targeted” attack against him and his friends because they are of Mexican descent.

“I’m just sad that there’s still people like from the ’50s and ’60s that still feel the same way,” the “Machete” star told TMZ Friday, “because no one else was targeted.”

His friend, who was present for the fistfight, backed the claim that they were “targeted” because of their ethnicity, pointing out that no one else in front or behind them were affected.

Trejo and his pals were celebrating Independence Day at the Sunland-Tujunga neighborhood in Los Angeles Thursday, when a fellow parade attendant threw a water balloon at his lowrider convertible.

The “From Dusk Till Dawn” actor said he got out of his car because he overheard someone yell, “It’s acid!’” and was concerned severe damage had been done to his vehicle.

He told TMZ that when he went to look at the hood, someone allegedly hit him with a water balloon, causing a physical altercation to break out.

“I am so sad,” Trejo added. “I’m sad that I behaved the way I behaved. I’m so sad that grown men gotta throw water balloons to enjoy a day.”

The “Desperado” actor said the reason he “panicked” was because of the belief that acid had been poured onto his vintage vehicle.

His pal then showed off bruises left on his arms from the fight, stating the assailants were allegedly “stomping on [his] arms” and “holding [him] down.”

Trejo, for his part, said he was “alright,” adding, “They couldn’t hurt me.”

The 80-year-old then joked that the men he fought should feel ashamed for attacking someone his age.

The “Bad Ass” star concluded, “I would be embarrassed if I attacked an 80-year-old man and he’s still talking and laughing.”