A man fights three attackers in Courtenay, B.C., in a video posted to the internet. (YouTube)

Three Courtenay, B.C. men who face assault charges in connection with an allegedly racially motivated fight that showed up on YouTube say they are being victimized.

The three made their first court appearances Thursday in Courtenay, about 220 kilometres north of Victoria, in connection with a July 3 attack on Jay Phillips, 38.

The men — David Samuel White, 19, Adam David Huber, 24, and Robert William Rodgers, 25 — told CBC News following the appearance that they believe the incident has been blown out of proportion and that they are now feeling threatened.

They provided no details of any threats.

Phillips, who is black, was punched and kicked in a fast-food restaurant parking lot in the Vancouver Island city.

Jay Phillips talks with CBC News about the attack he suffered in Courtenay, B.C., on July 3. (CBC)

A video of the brawl appeared on YouTube within days. It is not known who shot the video and posted it to the website.

Each of the men was released on his own recognizance after charges were laid earlier this month, and they won't enter pleas until their next appearance, on Aug. 20.

Phillips, who suffered cuts and bruised ribs, alleged the men shouted racial epithets and threatened him and his family with violence during the fight.

RCMP Const. Tammy Douglas said there are indications the attack was racially motivated and the Mounties have asked their hate crime team to look into it.

It is, however, being treated as an isolated incident and will not be labelled a hate crime until all the evidence is in, Douglas said.