Taking Back Public Transit: Confronting Violence on Board

After tracking harassment, masturbation, and assault on the New York City transit system for over three years, we decided to take action. We recently co-founded New Yorkers for Safe Transit - the only coalition dedicated to eliminating sexual assault and hate violence—particularly gender- or discrimination-based— within NYC’s public transit system. In response to an ongoing rash of sexual assaults and harassment occurring in the subways, New Yorkers for Safe Transit (NYFST) is hosting a forum for concerned community members and anti-violence activists to analyze the rampancy of gender-based violence in the New York City public transit system and discuss strategies to address this problem. Please join us: DATE: Monday, June 8th, 2009 TIME: 7 PM – 9PM LOCATION: Brecht Forum, 451 West St. (btwn. Bank & Bethune) Emily May from HollabackNYC, Doyin Ola from RightRides, Veronica Tirado from Girls for Gender Equity, and Cate Contino from the Straphangers Campaign, are expected to speak on issues including budget cuts, organizing straphangers, addressing violence, and making change within our public transit system. During the forum, participants will share with one another practical ways to avoid, deescalate and prevent violence and harassment on public transit. Hope to see you there!