Community Alert Archives - NYC Anti-Violence Project

AVP issues community alert as LGBTQ+ New Yorkers face continued violence

August 1, 2023

The New York City Anti-Violence Project is calling on New Yorkers to support LGBTQ+ people and put safety at the top of their minds, as at least 45 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents, including at least three homicides, have been tracked or reported across the city so far in 2023. Most recently, a 28-year-old man, O’Shae Sibley was harassed and stabbed in Midwood after he and his friends were harassed for voguing and dancing in public and later died from[...]

Showing up for Ourselves and Each Other: Community Care and Safety Planning in Times Of Crisis

November 2, 2020

These days, we are all feeling the impact of upheaval, violence, fear, pain, and rage, carrying the weight of it in our spirit, as we work to meet the challenges coming at us each and every day. We all know the challenges — pandemic, uprising, election, violence — even if they affect us differently. In the midst of all this, we must show up — for ourselves, and for one another. During these times, it is especially important to lea[...]

Coronavirus Update: AVP Office Closure

March 13, 2020

UPDATE 1/13/21: AVP's offices will remain closed until at least June 2021. ORIGINAL POST 3/16/20: We hope you are all taking care of yourselves and each other in these times that are stressful for all of us. We are writing to let you know that due to the escalating situation around coronavirus, and in the interest of our collective community's health and well-being, AVP has decided to close our offices for in-person appointments and walk-i[...]

AVP Demands Justice for Layleen Polanco

June 13, 2019

On Monday afternoon, AVP mobilized over 600 people at Foley Square to mourn the loss of, and demand justice for, Layleen Cubilette-Polanco, a 27-year-old Afro-Latinx transgender woman who was found dead in her cell at Rose M. Singer Center at Rikers on June 7, just eleven days before her next scheduled court date. The news of Layleen Polanco’s death is particularly hard as it comes during a string of reported deaths of trans women of col[...]

AVP Learns of Hate Violence Incident in Times Square

December 10, 2018

AVP has learned of an anti-gay hate violence incident in Times Square. According to reports, a young woman was punched from behind in an attack that fractured her spine by a man who called her an anti-gay slur. The woman was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where she was treated for a fractured spine, police said. The man, who is believed to be in his 50s, approached the 20-year-old victim on the Manhattan-bound E train near the Forrest Hills st[...]

AVP learns of hate violence incident in Williamsburg

September 25, 2018

AVP has learned of an anti-gay hate violence incident in Brooklyn, NY. According to media reports, two gay men, 29 and 34, were attacked and beaten unconscious in Williamsburg around 1:00 am on Sunday, September 23. The suspect made anti-gay statements before assaulting the men who had left a popular Williamsburg gay bar, according to police. Local authorities are still searching for the suspect whose picture was captured as he fled the scene. [...]

AVP learns of incident in Hell’s Kitchen

August 17, 2018

AVP has learned of an incident involving a gay man in Hell’s Kitchen on August 14. 50-year-old Gregory Kanczes is reported to have been stabbed sixteen times by 25-year-od Geoffrey Tracy. According to reports, Tracy stabbed Kanczes after Kanczes made sexual advances on him. They were living together. Tracy was arraigned August 15 on charges of attempted murder and assault. Kanczes is in the hospital in critical condition. AVP has reache[...]

AVP learns of a hate violence incident in Brooklyn

August 14, 2018

AVP has learned of an anti-gay hate violence incident in Brooklyn, NY. According to social media posts by a family member, a woman was walking in her neighborhood when a man started to follow her. The man taunted her saying “You think you’re a man? Since you think you’re a man, I’m going to treat you like a man,” before hitting her in the face. The survivor sustained severe injuries. AVP has reached out to NYPD for more information a[...]

AVP learns of IPV-related incident in Astoria

August 9, 2018

AVP has learned of a potential intimate partner violence related incident in Astoria, NY. A 48 year-old man was found dead in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 9. According to media reports, the victim was found on the ground with cuts, bruises, and mouth filled with dirt. Police are trying to locate the boyfriend of the victim’s ex-lover for questioning as it’s been reported he was last seen with him. We have reached out to N[...]

AVP learns of incident at RIIS Beach

July 3, 2018

AVP has learned of a violent incident involving police at Riis Beach that occurred on Sunday, July 1, 2018. If you have been impacted by the incident and would like to report or to seek support, reach out to AVP by calling our free and confidential 24/7 bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141 or our online reporting form. AVP is reaching out to Parks Enforcement Patrol and the New York City Police Department for further information[...]

AVP learns of back to back anti-LGBTQ incidents in Queens

June 12, 2018

AVP learns of back to back anti-LGBTQ incidents in Queens; our work is not done. On Sunday, June 3, 25 year-old elementary school teacher Brandon Soriano was enjoying the Queens Pride festivities. At around 10 pm, he decided to pick up some food before heading home. It was then Soriano heard someone yell an anti-gay slur, right before being physically attacked by a group of men until he became unconscious. Five days later, a transgender wom[...]

AVP learns of pick-up homicide in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

May 9, 2018

AVP mourns the death of Clifford Williams, a man of 60 years, who was bludgeoned to death on Wednesday, March 14 in his home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, NY. According to media reports, Williams met a 21-year-old man outside of a local restaurant and invited him to his home. It was there that Williams allegedly flirted with his guest and in response the guest attacked him with a dumbbell. Williams’ stepfather, who lives at the residence, called th[...]