NEW YORK -- A man who apparently attended an Upper East Side rally Sunday to protest Mayor Bill de Blasio's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers and indoor venues was captured afterwards on video berating an elderly woman for wearing a mask on a Q train.
And the MTA isn't having it: “The transit system is not the place for a debate on masks," said deputy communications director Renee Price. "Mask-wearing is an MTA regulation, and wearing a mask is respectful of other riders. Respect also means refraining from harassment and verbal abuse and not being an obnoxious jerk while violating rules that keep New Yorkers and transit workers safe.”
The video, which 1010 WINS has confirmed was shot by Twitter user @Subway_DJ, opens up with the woman seated, and the man -- who appears in his 20s or 30s -- standing over her in an intimidating manner.
"I wish the police would come and give you a $50 fine," the woman said to the man, as fellow passenger look on.
The man, who appears to be joined by another man, proceeds to mock the woman, and says in a high-pitched voice, "I'm so afraid."
"Please get away from me, sir," says the woman.
The man then chants, in a reference to the year the U.S. gained independence from Great Britain, "1776! 1776!"
When a bystander interrupts off-camera, and says, "He's disrespecting an elderly person," the man responds, "You know what I respect? Freedom. What do you respect? Sit down. Sit the f*** down. That's right!"
The woman remains in awe, telling the verbal abuser she has a 40-year-old son.
"The woman was taken aback, but a little shaken up," the Twitter user, who goes by the name Naviko, told 1010 WINS. "When she got up the guy just made her sit back down but she was able to slip off the train quietly when the guy was distracted."
Internet sleuths are on the mystery man's trail, though, and are seeking to out him. So far, it's been determined that he went to the rally, which was held near Gracie Mansion. Both the man, and the main with him on the subway, were spotted at the rally, which was organized by Republicans, including NYC mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa.