She's exaggerating the situation. That is NOT how people act when their lives are in danger. She probably felt like this guy had the potential to pose a threat, which is a fair assumption, but they didn't feel like their lives were in danger or else they wouldn't be smiling, laughing and joking around while eating their food.

Also, press charges for harassment, fine, but "hate crimes" aren't a real thing... at least in a sane world.