Statement by Senators Brad Hoylman & Daniel Squadron in Response to Apparent Anti-Lgbt Hate Crime in Soho

New York, NY – New York State Senators Brad Hoylman and Daniel Squadron released the following statement today about a reported anti-gay attack on Broadway between Prince and Houston Streets early Tuesday morning. 

“Words cannot express our shock and outrage over this latest apparent incident of hate violence directed at the LGBT community -- which occurred shortly after over a thousand New Yorkers marched to mourn the murder of Mark Carson and demand an end to anti-LGBT violence. We are grateful to the NYPD for swiftly apprehending two suspects, who we are confident will be subject to the full weight of the criminal justice system.

This sort of hate and violence has no place here in New York City, or anywhere. As we head into Pride Month, the LGBT community must stay vigilant, and all New Yorkers must speak out forcefully against bias attacks of any kind to make certain that these kinds of crimes get the attention and universal condemnation they deserve.”

Last night, community members, elected officials, LGBT leaders and allies marched from the LGBT Center to West 8th Street and 6th Avenue, where Mark Carson was gunned down early Saturday morning night, apparently because he was gay. The march followed a wave of anti-LGBT violence in New York City. This latest attack comes as New Yorkers throughout the city are demanding an end to violence against the LGBT community.

The Senators provided the following timeline of suspected hate crimes against LGBT victims in Manhattan since May 5:

May 5: Four men allegedly shouted anti-gay slurs as they attacked Nick Porto and Kevin Atkins near Madison Square Garden

May 7: A man was assaulted in Union Square by another man who allegedly used anti-gay slurs.

May 8: Two men reportedly shouted anti-gay slurs as they attacked a man who was leaving Pieces bar on Christopher Street

May 9: Two gay men were attacked by a group of other men allegedly shouting anti-gay slurs near the 33rd Street PATH Station.

May 18: A gay man was shot to death by another man who allegedly assailed the victim and another gay man with homophobic slurs and chased them out of a pizzeria on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village before the shooting.

May 20: A gay man was jumped and beaten at Avenue D and East 4th Street by at least one other man who allegedly hurled anti-gay slurs. 

May 21: Two men were reportedly injured in an attack in which anti-gay slurs were allegedly used. 

Senator Hoylman and Senator Squadron urge anyone with additional information about any of these or other attacks to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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