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An outspoken proponent of New York City’s unpopular congestion pricing was attacked at a Manhattan subway station on the program’s launch day. The Central Business District Tolling Program, which started on January 5, 2025, forces commuters to use the subway to ease congestion. 

The victim of the unprovoked attack was Layla Law-Gisiko, the president of the City Club of New York, which sued New York Governor Kathy Hochul to implement the program. Law-Gisiko, 53, said she sustained bruises after an attacker struck her on the subway on 23rd Street and 5th Avenue, resulting in a painful experience.

“Today at around 3:30 PM, I entered the subway station at 23rd Street and 5th Avenue,” she posted on X.

“At the bottom of the first flight of stairs, an individual with a shopping cart began screaming at me and spat in my hair.”

“The individual followed me into the mezzanine corridor, struck me with the cart, and caused me to hit the wall. He threatened to push me down the next flight of stairs.”

She called 911, and police arrived 25 minutes later, took her statement, and identified the individual.

“I am shaken, with a bruised ankle and a sore shoulder from being pushed into the wall.”

“This has been a distressing and painful experience.”

Police later arrested Timothy Elliot, 45, for the attack. He was released for a later court appearance to answer to assault and harassment.

Meanwhile, netizens had no kind words for Law-Gisiko. They reminded her that she was an ardent supporter of the Left’s policies that allowed crime to thrive in the Big Apple.

Law-Gisiko’s attack coincided with the $9 congestion toll launch, which her organization praised in a prepared statement. 

Meanwhile, many New Yorkers detest the subway for security reasons. On Christmas Eve, a suspect allegedly set a woman on fire on a subway car, further destroying the reputation of the city’s underground transit system. 

The Transport Workers Union is among groups that decry the appalling security situation of the New York City subway system and oppose the congestion pricing. “New Yorkers have been forced into a terrible and unfair position,” Phil Valenti, head of Transport Workers Union Local 106, told the New York Post. “You can pay $9 to enter the congestion pricing zone or take the subway, where violent crime is soaring.”

In December 2024, a reporter fact-checked Gov. Hochul after she claimed that the New York subways are safer.

“But if you look back to pre-pandemic, now I know you like to say that, that overall crime is down 12% since the pandemic, but murders are up 200%, felony assault is up 55%, and burglary is up 140%,” he said. “So are you saying that this is progress?”

By attempting to drive large numbers of commuters to the subway, Law-Gisiko either does not understand or deliberately ignores the security challenges facing the transit system.

While the attack was regrettable, Law-Gisiko learned first-hand why many New Yorkers avoided the subway system. She also felt firsthand the consequences of her political choices.