Three Black UAlbany Students Attacked on City Bus In A Racially Motivated Assault

ualbany-7-26-2013-38-1200xx3348-1884-0-307Officials in Albany are investigating after three Black female college students reported that a group of white men and women assaulted and racially harassed them aboard a city bus.

The three students, who are Black women, were harassed and assaulted while riding on the #11 CDTA bus on Western Ave in Albany. The students stated that racial slurs were used by the perpetrators, whom they described as a group of 10 to 12 white males and females.

A physical altercation ensued in which one victim stated that multiple men and women began to punch her on the head and kicking her after she fell to the ground.

Two of the victims went to Albany Medical Center to be evaluated and treated.

Later that night a victim of the attack took to social media to recount the racist events:

Many students and activists began to criticize the lack of administrative response and police transparency.

UAlbany’s president, Robert J. Jones, issued a statement which read in part:

I call upon all members of the University at Albany to unite. We must show the world that we stand for inclusiveness and stand against bias, violence and hatred.

Our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be held on the evening of Monday, Feb. 1. As we reflect on the principles and values that Dr. King stood for, let us come together in solidarity to reaffirm our values.

Now is the time to recommit to our principles of inclusivity and diversity and send a strong message that we will not tolerate bias, hatred and violence in our University.

A rally is planned in response to the events for Monday at 5:30 on the campus of University at Albany.

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