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A New York City subway musician called for better safety measures to protect fellow musicians after he was assailed during a performance.
Iain Forrest, a 29-year-old electric cellist also known as "Eyeglasses," was attacked on February 13, 2024, while he was performing at the 34th Street Herald Square train station.
In footage that captured the incident, a woman wearing a "mustard jacket, red scarf, and gloves" was seen approaching Forrest from behind while he was playing his cello.
The woman picked up Forrest's metal water bottle and smashed the back of his head before briskly walking away.
Forrest shared the clip on his Instagram page and said that the woman "fled the station, shedding her outer clothes, and escaped into the nearby Macy’s, where NYPD were unable to locate her."
"We urgently need your help," he wrote and asked followers to share his video post to help identify and capture his attacker to prevent her from causing harm to others.
Here is the video of Forrest's attack.
Forrest, who is also a medical student and is part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s performing arts program Music Under New York is considering not performing again due to the incident.
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
Forrest has been performing in New York subway stations for seven years, but it wasn't until recently that he no longer felt safe.
"This marks the second attack I’ve endured in less than a year while performing for New Yorkers in subway stations," he said.
"I don’t think I can do this anymore."
"I’m suspending subway performances indefinitely."
After the previous incident, Forrest said the NYPD provided him with officers during performances for several weeks to keep him safe.
“That was fantastic for a month or two, but it was just for me," he told NBC News.
"So it didn’t benefit the other musicians and it was only temporary because we understand they have limited resources."
In another update, he said:
"The woman who attacked me is still out there and the NYPD is on it."
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
He encouraged people to keep sharing and liking the video and to contact authorities if they had any information on the assailant.
"I’m still not sure why this happened and the NYPD is looking into everything," he said, adding:
"All I know is it hurt like hell and right now, I’m just focusing on getting better."
"Two attacks in less than a year is two too much. 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."
"Unfortunately, many other musicians who perform in the subway have been attacked, harassed, robbed."
"If you have also experienced something terrible like this know that you are NOT alone."
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
Forrest said he and fellow artists started a coalition of people demanding stronger security and protection for subway musicians.
The MTA and the NYPD do not track data relating to crimes against subway musicians, which Forrest found unacceptable. He is advocating for change to determine where, when, and why such violent acts keep happening so that police can prevent further similar attacks.
“There’s just no tally or that simple counting and tracking of [specific] musicians being attacked,” he told NBC News.
“Once we have eyes on those trends, and you see, ‘OK, well look, it’s against solo musicians who are at 34th Street Herald Square at the evening rush hour.’ Once you have that information you can better give resources to prevent that from happening with the NYPD.”
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
@eyeglasses.stringmusic/Instagram
He hated to think of what would happen in the event of the worst-case scenario.
“My wife, my closest friends, colleagues, everybody was very dismayed and concerned about that—it shakes me to my core to imagine what would happen to all those people if I weren’t here."
“That’s part of the motivation of why I unfortunately have to make this very gut-wrenching decision.”
Forrest concluded his video post with:
"As I stop subway performances, know that my passion for making music for you all is unwavering."
"You can continue hearing and supporting my music on all streaming platforms and social media."
"Thanks again for all your support 🤍 Please stay safe out there."
Forrest thanked his fans on Instagram for their unwavering support and informed them that he is planning to perform a concert this summer at a safe venue.