The Franklin Street stop in TriBeCa, Manhattan and the Franklin Ave stop in Brooklyn got a little makeover this week in honor of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on Thursday, August 16th.
This tribute to #ArethaFranklin was the only one I could find left today at the Franklin Street stop in Manhattan.… https://t.co/5gKnrhNCRi— NYCRobyn 📷 (@NYCRobyn 📷) 1534524738.0
A mystery Aretha Franklin fan has created a tribute at the Franklin St. Subway station in TriBeCa @NBCNewYork… https://t.co/xnVgYISZKr— Adam Kuperstein (@Adam Kuperstein) 1534431505.0
Brooklyn County of Kings paying R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the #QueenofSoul Aretha Franklin with temporary street art… https://t.co/ZiCOaaJNXa— Chris Wallace Way BK (@Chris Wallace Way BK) 1534443141.0
According to the NY Post, the MTA originally had no immediate plans to deal with the tributes. "When asked for comment, the agency's spokesman Jon Weinstein aptly replied, 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T.'"
However, unfortunately, by Friday morning, the memorial at Franklin Street had been painted over, leaving only the "Aretha makes me feel like a natural woman" on the steps.
#NYC subway remembers #ArethaFranklin #MTA https://t.co/r4gUrdsUJs— Trump's Bone Spurs (@Trump's Bone Spurs) 1534446946.0
@MTA, Y'all should honor Aretha Franklin with a soul session on the FRANKLIN Avenue Shuttle. @NYCMayor @NYCCouncil… https://t.co/9anM84m9kQ— HOT&HORNYNBK (@HOT&HORNYNBK) 1534445449.0
@Gothamist .@MTA, it'd be a nice gesture if the subway Franklin station was named Aretha Franklin Station. How can… https://t.co/K8ul4d70y1— rGosine (@rGosine) 1534521890.0
The Crown Heights "Franklin Avenue" stop has been in an ongoing battle with MTA employees to make the memorials last.
Hey @jonweinstein the people have spoken & they R-E-S-P-E-C-T the Aretha Franklin subway #streetart for the America… https://t.co/iEber2PI2R— Chris Wallace Way BK (@Chris Wallace Way BK) 1534592436.0
The stencil people work fast https://t.co/O721W9pn2K— Amanda Mull (@Amanda Mull) 1534453629.0
And people on public transit have been coming together over the memory of the undisputed Queen of Soul:
Someone on the bus was playing Aretha out of a speaker and instead of getting annoyed, everyone nodded and hummed a… https://t.co/82kRabqpjl— Madeleine Davies (@Madeleine Davies) 1534452965.0
According to The Gothamist there will be an all-star tribute concert to Aretha at Madison Square Garden in November.
New York stands as a living memorial to Ms. Franklin, who performed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem when she was just 19 years old.
We miss you already, Aretha.