Updated Dec. 20, 5:10 p.m.
Local leaders are calling for an investigation after hateful messages were found scrawled on the walls of a Flushing train station twice this week.
Elected officials announced that anti-Asian graffiti was discovered on the walls of the LIRR Murray Hill train station, located at 150th Street and 41st Avenue, on both Dec. 18 and 19. According to updates by Councilman Koo’s office, the graffiti was promptly removed by the MTA after both incidents.
The hateful statements, written in black marker, included “Whites Built Flushing” and “Asians All on Welfare.”
The Korean-American Parent Association and Murray Hill Merchants Association met with local officials at the site on Dec. 18 to condemn the act.
“It’s not a victimless crime,” state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said. “It’s a crime that should be prosecuted. I call upon the MTA police and the NYPD to look at the cameras to see if they can catch the people who did this.”
An NYPD spokesperson said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the MTA Police. Aaron Donovan, a spokesperson for the MTA, said the MTA Police are investigating the incidents.
“We are aware of both incidents, and LIRR personnel immediately removed the graffiti in both cases,” he said.
Congresswoman Grace Meng said was she “deeply disturbed” by news of the incidents.
“We must all stand up and condemn this unacceptable bigotry,” she said. “I thank the authorities who are investigating this crime and hope that those responsible are apprehended and swiftly brought to justice. There is no place for hate in Queens!”
On Dec. 20, Assemblyman Ron Kim sent a letter to MTA Chief of Police Owen Monaghan calling on authorities to “undertake a throughout review of all footage relating to these incidents.”
“Our community has always been a welcoming and diverse place, one which New Yorkers from all around the world have chosen to call home,” he writes. “Working with you and other authorities to keep our community safe remains my office’s top priority.”
The assemblyman also stated that, if the site was in need of a security camera, he would commit to finding a way to fund such an addition.
The 109th Precinct and the city Department of Transportation were also copied on the letter.
