A 45-year-old Muslim transit worker in New York City was pushed down the stairs and called a terrorist at Grand Central Terminal, authorities announced Monday afternoon.
The assault took place at 7am while Soha Salama was commuting to work. CBS New York reports that she was wearing her hijab and MTA uniform at the time. She was rushed to the hospital where she is currently being treated for leg injuries. While she hasn’t suffered any broken bones, she told the network that she’s experiencing serious pain.
“He called me [a] terrorist. I shouldn’t work here, go back to [her] country,” she told reporters. “I wasn’t able to say anything. I was running for my life,” she said. “I was afraid he was going to throw me down the tracks or do more bad to me than he already did. He was like pushing me down.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo also spoke to the media after the attack and asked the MTA to work with the New York Police Department to investigate the incident as a hate crime.
“This is the great state of New York. We welcome people of all cultures, customs, and creeds with open arms. We do not allow intolerance or fear to divide us because we know diversity is our strength and we are at our best when we stand united,” Mr Cuomo told reporters.
“The work of the Hate Crimes Task Force has never been more urgent and we will continue to crack down on this type of criminal behavior,” he continued. “I wish a speedy recovery for the victim, and want to let her know we are seeking justice for her and for all New Yorkers.”
On Thursday, Yasmin Seweid, an 18-year-old Muslim woman, said that a group of men screamed Donald Trump’s name at her and attempted to rip her hijab from her head.
Monday’s incident marks the latest string of racist attacks or harassment reported across the country. This week, the Southern Poverty Law Center released an analysis of collected submissions and news reports finding nearly 900 incidents of racially motivated attacks in America just ten days following Donald Trump’s election win.
