Muslim Teen, Victim of NYC Subway Hate Crime, Is From Long Island

An 18-year-old Muslim woman from Long Island was attacked last week in the 23rd Street subway station by a trio of white, male 20-somethings who shouted "Donald Trump!" and tried to remove her hijab, according to the New York City Police Department.

Yasmin Seweid, of New Hyde Park, was standing on the station's northbound 6 train platform around 10 p.m. Thursday, police said, when she was approached by the three men.

Seweid, who takes the subway every day to and from her college classes, said in a post on her Facebook page that what happened was "just so dehumanizing I can't speak about it without getting emotional." Seweid is a Class of 2016 graduate from New Hyde Park Memorial High School.

The three men ripped the straps off her bag and tried to remove her hijab, she said. "They yelled such disgusting slurs at me, I was so helpless and felt defenseless."

They said, "Look it's a [f-----g] terrorist," "go back to your country," "take that rag off your head" and repeatedly mentioned President-elect Donald Trump's name, according to Seweid.

After they had gotten their fill of assaulting and taunting the young woman, her attackers fled the station, police said. The suspects still hadn't been tracked down by Friday afternoon.

Seweid said the night was traumatizing for her. "No matter how 'cultured' or 'Americanized' I am, these people don't see me as an American," she wrote on Facebook. "It breaks my heart that so many individuals chose to be bystanders while watching me get harassed verbally and physically by these disgusting pigs."

The NYPD is investigating the attack as a hate crime.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said a similar incident occurred Monday morning when a uniformed off-duty Muslim NYC Transit employee on her way to work was assaulted by a male passenger at Grand Central Terminal.

"After exiting the 7 Train in the station, the suspect allegedly called the station agent a ‘terrorist’ and pushed her down the stairs, injuring both her ankle and knee," Cuomo said in a statement. "The employee was swiftly transported to NYU Langone for the treatment of her injuries."

Cuomo released the following statement regarding these biased attacks plaguing the New York area:

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. I have directed the MTA, State Police and Division of Human Rights to work with local law enforcement to investigate these matters. These acts of hate will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and those responsible will be held accountable.

New York will continue to set the example for the nation – safeguarding our diversity and our differences, and rooting out bigotry and hatred wherever it exists. 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. 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.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations released the following statement Friday evening in reaction to the 6 train attack:

"American Muslims, and particularly men and women who wear religious attire, are being increasingly targeted by hate nationwide in the wake of the November 8 election. Our elected leaders and local law enforcement authorities must continue to take strong action to protect Muslims and other minority groups in a period of growing Islamophobia and political division."

Reporting contributed by Simone Wilson

Lead photo via Dave Winer/Flickr