New York –
In an effort to solve one of the more brutal incidents of anti-gay hate violence in the City this year, the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is organizing community members to flyer a Brooklyn neighborhood with requests for information from residents.
Last Wednesday, Dwan Prince was savagely beaten by three men who screamed anti-gay slurs during the assault.
"So often there are no witnesses and no information available to the community or investigators about anti-gay incidents," said Clarence Patton, AVP's Acting Executive Director.
"In this case however, we know there was at least one witness, and the police have solid leads on the perpetrators; we're trying to do whatever we can to help get information on this heinous attack," continued Patton. Monday, police authorities identified Steven Pomie (see photo) as part of the group allegedly responsible for the beating.
Street in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. He has been in intensive care at Brookdale hospital since the Wednesday night attack, but doctors say Prince is improving.
The attack took place outside Prince's Apartment building on East 94th Street in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. He has been in intensive care at Brookdale hospital since the Wednesday night attack, but doctors say Prince is improving.
"Unfortunately, though what happened to Prince was more vicious than most anti-gay attacks in New York, it is not uncommon enough," said Patton. "Every twelve hours we get a report of some anti-gay incident in the City, and every 36 hours, we receive a report of an anti-lesbian, gay, transgender or bisexual assault; as the weather warms and more people are on the streets in general - reports of anti-LGTB activity almost always rise," added Patton.
"Given the fact that reports to AVP of anti-LGTB incidents have risen 25% in the last two years, we are especially concerned about the safety of the community this summer and will be doing everything in our power to make people aware of these issues and help them stay as safe as possible," concluded Patton.
Click here to view a copy of the flyer.
Anyone with any information about the assault on Dwan Prince is encouraged to call the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force at 646-610-5267, Crime Stoppers 800-577-TIPS, or AVP at 212-714-1141, and ask to speak to the staff person on-call.
