The New York City cellist who was struck in the back of the head with a metal water bottle at a busy subway station says he will not go back to performing until there’s better protection for musicians in the Big Apple’s transit system.
Iain Forrest, 29, said he was heartbroken to have to make the decision to stop performing for commuters, but said it was necessary as last week’s attack in Midtown marked the second time he’s been assaulted while playing his cello in the past year alone.
“Two attacks in less than a year is two too much,” he said in an Instagram post Sunday. “I have been punched, choked, and now bashed in the head.
“I love performing for you all in the subway, but I’m at my breaking point and can’t take more injury or harm,” he continued.
Forrest, an MD-PhD student at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, pointed out that he was just one of many subway performers who have been “attacked, harassed or robbed” while trying to entertain their fellow commuters.
He is now calling on his fellow musicians to join the Subway Performers Advocacy Group (SPAG) in demanding better security from the city at transit hubs.
“We’ve started a coalition of people who want stronger security and protection for musicians performing in the subway. The MTA and NYPD do NOT track stats of crimes against subway musicians,” Forrest said.
“This has to change to know where, when, and why these attacks happen. Then police resources can be smartly allocated to prevent attacks,” he added.
Forrest is one of hundreds of volunteers for the MTA’s Music Under New York program, which schedules musicians to hold performances at transit hubs across the city.
His latest plea to curb violence in the subways came as NYPD City Crime Stoppers released a new video of his assailant, with the footage showing a more clear picture of her face. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $3,500 for a tip leading to her arrest.
The attack occurred last Tuesday, at around 5:45 p.m. at the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station, where the suspect used Forrest’s own water bottle to bash him in the back of the head before fleeing.
The senseless assault was filmed by fans recording Forrest’s performance, with the musician seen clutching his head and instrument as he writhed in pain.
“No one in the transit system, including the musicians, should be subjected to violence, and when the NYPD catches up to the person who committed this senseless attack they will be held accountable,” the MTA said in a statement following the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website or on X @NYPDTips.