For the third time in one month, a man has targeted the district office of state Senator Michael Gianaris in Astoria by writing an anti-Obama and homophobic slur of the side of the building.
Gianaris found the words “Obama f—-t” scrawled on his building’s facade at 31-19 Newtown Ave. last weekend and before that Councilman Costa Constantinides, whose office is next door, found the same words written in marker the week before.
“It is clear this bigot is trying send a message of intolerance to our community, but it will not work,” Gianaris said. “I am confident the NYPD will apprehend the person committing these disturbing acts and I am thankful for their continued efforts. It will take more than a bigot with a magic marker to stop me from fighting for the values of tolerance and inclusiveness.”
The NYPD released footage of the suspect last week and are describing him as a left-handed white or light-skinned Hispanic man between 30 and 40 years old. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is reviewing the investigation, the senator said. The 114th Precinct will increase patrols around the building.
Gianaris has been vocal about his opposition to President Trump’s proposed policies. He proposed legislation that would prohibit the Port Authority, which administers New York’s airports, from utilizing any of its resources to enforce the president’s initial travel ban. He also introduced legislation that would add immigration status to the list of protected classes in the state’s Human Rights and Civil Right Laws.
Anyone with information is encouraged to report it by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
