Speaker Quinn:
“I am appalled by reports of a gay bashing in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday afternoon. Hateful assaults like these are an affront to everything our great City stands for and I urge the perpetrators to turn themselves in immediately. I also implore anyone who may have witnessed or recorded footage of the attack to come forward to the authorities at once.

No one should have to fear being attacked on our streets because of who they are or who they love. New York City’s greatest strength is our diversity, and bias assaults against any one community are attacks against all New Yorkers. I thank the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force for investigating this horrific assault and urge anyone with information about the assault to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-866-313-TIPS.”

Congressman Nadler:
“I was shocked and saddened to hear of the deplorable gay bashing that occurred on Sunday afternoon in Midtown. We must all come together to make sure that New York City remains a beacon of diversity and tolerance, and that hate crimes like this never take place on our streets. As the NYPD’s investigation moves forward, I urge anyone with information about Sunday’s attack to come forward. My thoughts are with the victims of Sunday’s assault.”

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer:
“The ugly and deplorable attack that took place this past Sunday in midtown west should be a reminder to all New Yorkers that gay bashings are not a thing of the past. They have no place in a City which is built on tolerance and respect for the dignity of all citizens, and I call on New Yorkers who have information about this incident to come forward immediately and contact the New York Police Department, so the perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.”

Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried:
“It is shocking that a repulsive act like this could take place in our city. Violent bigotry has no place in our society, and no one should have to live in fear based on their identity. All New Yorkers should stand with our LGBT sisters and brothers against this kind of intimidation.”

Assembly Member Deborah Glick:
“Hate crimes are appalling deeds committed by cowards. I urge whoever committed this crime to turn themselves into police custody and urge that any witnesses who have information about this crime step forward. ”

New York State Senator Brad Hoylman:
“Like Speaker Quinn, I am outraged that anti-LGBT violence continues to be a problem in our city. This latest incident, in which a gay couple was reportedly assaulted while being taunted with anti-gay slurs, undermines our city’s reputation as a global beacon of tolerance and diversity. Nobody – in any city, but especially in New York – should have to live with fear or stigma. Let me be clear: it is never the victim’s fault. This vicious assault is not a reflection of who we are as a city or community, but it serves as a reminder that we as New Yorkers still have work to do to end gay bashing and other forms of hate and violence.”

Council Member Rosie Mendez;
“Targeting individuals because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation is not only a crime but it is an unconscionable and inhumane act. I urge everyone who was in the area on Sunday, or who knows the “person of interest” to get in contact with authorities so a proper investigation can proceed with all due speed. I hope that the rest of us will take this story to heart, and search our hearts to find the compassion, understanding and respect for others that resides within us all.”

Council Member Daniel Dromm:
“I am deeply distressed to learn of the recent attack against a gay couple near Madison Square Garden. These crimes are committed by people trying to strike fear into our communities but we will not be intimidated by them. We must respond swiftly and send a powerful message that our city does not tolerate these heinous crimes.”

Council Member James Van Bramer:
“I am deeply disturbed by the reports indicating that two gay men were beaten by a group of men shouting homophobic slurs. All members of the LGBT community must be able to hold hands, embrace, and openly be who they are on every street corner in this City at any time of day. That this attack happened in front of Madison Square Garden during a Knicks playoff game makes it that much more brazen. We must catch and punish those responsible for brutalizing these two gay men.”

Assembly Member Matthew Titone:
We must send a very strong and crystal clear message that assaults will not be tolerated, that they are not okay, and that the perpetrators will be caught and punished to the full extent of the law.

Assembly Member Micah Kellner:
“Just days after NBA player Jason Collins became the first openly gay pro athlete, this brutal assault after Sunday’s Knicks game outside Madison Square Garden serves as a vivid reminder that anti-LGBT hate crime remains all too real a phenomenon in our society. I join Speaker Quinn and other leaders in speaking out against this cowardly attack and calling upon the alleged perpetrators to turn themselves into law enforcement authorities.”

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