From the Office of Speaker Quinn: LGBT Hate Crime in Queens

As a media representative of the office of NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, I'm passing along the following statement which was released along with the press conference which she gave yesterday on the same subject. You can also view it as a Google document.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

CITY HALL

NEW YORK, NY 10007

http://council.nyc.gov

(212) 788-7116

**For Immediate Release**

October 12, 2009

Contact: Eunic Ortiz 646-279-1659

PHOTOS: William Alatriste walatriste@council.nyc.gov

Release # 098-2009

Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Local Leaders Denounce LGBT Hate Crime in Queens

College Point, Queens – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn was joined today by LGBT and community leaders in responding to a recent violent hate attack, which occurred early Friday morning. The victim, Jack Price, is recovering at New York Hospital Queens.

State Senator Tom Duane, Council Member John Liu, and community leaders Daniel Dromm, Jimmy Van Bramer and Kevin Kim stood with Speaker Quinn in denouncing the attack.

Price was attacked by two men for being known as an openly gay man in his community. The assailants were heard making derogatory anti-gay comments at the victim prior to the attack. The incident occurred early Friday morning outside a deli in Price's College Point neighborhood. The NYPD has caught one of two suspects being sought for the crime, Daniel Aleman. He is currently being held in police custody and is charged with assault, aggravated assault as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment.

“When someone is attacked for being who they are, and for being proud of who they are, there is no other explanation for that attack than hatred and bigotry. In response, we will do all in our power as individuals, as a community and as a city to ensure that whoever commits such a vile act of hate is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “I know the Queens community is outraged that hate has tainted their streets, and I know they will join with us in helping the local authorities find the second suspect. I applaud the NYPD for taking swift action on this case, and I know they will continue their efforts until justice is served. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Jack Price and I hope and pray for his speedy recovery.”

"I am deeply saddened and angered that yet another hate-motivated crime has occurred in New York City,” said State Senator Thomas Duane. “Hate and prejudice of any kind are unacceptable anywhere and it is deplorable that any person, regardless of their sexual orientation, would be victimized so with such malice and brutality. The New York Police Department should be congratulated for their work in bringing one of the assailants to justice and I am confident that by working together with the Queens community, justice will ultimately be meted out to all who were involved in this hate crime. My deepest sympathy and prayers are now with the Price family."

“Once again, in Queens, a gay man has been brutally beaten simply because of who he is. This is deplorable. All righteous people - gay and non-gay - must speak out loudly against hate crimes because it is the only way to combat this type of violence,” said Daniel Dromm of Queens. “This is the fourth time in 19 years that a gay man in Queens lies near death, or actually died, because he was beaten for being gay. Enough is enough. My thoughts and prayers are with Jack Price as he struggles for life in NY Hospital of Queens. One can't imagine how devastating an attack of this type must be to the Price family. I offer my support and help to Mr. Price and his family.”

“This tragic and senseless incident is yet another reminder of how far we have to go toward making our City one that is free of hatred and violence at all times and for all people,” said Jimmy Van Bramer of Queens. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victim, his family and friends.”