There was a show of support in the Bronx on Wednesday for an MTA worker who was attacked inside a subway station years ago.
Transit workers gathered outside of the courthouse where a hearing was held for the alleged attacker and say this case is just part of a wave of violence that they face on the job every day.
It’s been nearly four years since subway cleaner Anthony Nelson was brutally assaulted at the Pelham Bay Park station – and on Wednesday his accused attacker is back in court for a hearing.
Nelson, 38, suffered a broken nose and collarbone and underwent three surgeries and he is still struggling to this day.
“It’s taking a toll, there’s a been a lot coming back and forth… things I can and cant do anymore, adjustments, learning my limitations,” Nelson said.
Alexander Wright has been cleared to stand trial after first being declared mentally unstable. He was 49 at the time of the attack and was a recidivist with more than 40 prior arrests.
Transit worker union members showed up at the Bronx courthouse in solidarity with Nelson.
“The message is clear and simple, we’re going to be here, if you put your hands on one of our members, you’re going to have to deal with us, right? We’re not going away, we’re going to be front and center at every opportunity that we get,” said Robert Kelly, VP of TWU Stations Department.
Just this past month there have been at least two instances where a transit worker has been attacked.
Police are still looking for a man who they say punched a subway conductor on an A train in Far Rockaway after saying “thanks for taking me to the wrong stop.”
And then this past Sunday in Jackson Heights, the NYPD says a man got into an argument with an MTA worker at the 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue station’s No. 7 train platform and punched the 46-year-old man in the face.
“We provide a service for the ridership we want to get them to and from safely as well,” Kelly said. “But there’s no way in heck. I don’t want to use the word hell and I’m going to use it. There’s no way in hell that we should have to come to work and worry about going home to our families.”
The MTA says it’s closely monitoring this case and will continue to push for justice for Nelson.
As for the other violence against transit workers, officials say its reprehensible and that it is not being ignored.
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