This past weekend, a story broke that a group of black women who are students at the State University of New York in Albany were attacked while on public transportation. The students, whose identities haven’t been revealed, claim they were harassed and assaulted by a group of white men and women on a bus after a verbal altercation turned physical. They were reportedly kicked and were the target of multiple racial slurs.

According to CNN, university police Chief J. Frank Wiley says that there is cell phone video footage of the altercation, as well as video from the Capital District Transportation Authority.

As of Monday evening, campus police counted 34 people of interest – 29 of which were identified and 16 of which were interviewed. A rally was also held on campus in support of the victims on campus.

SUNY Alvany President Robert J. Jones was quick to issue a statement about the incident where he states, “”I am deeply concerned, saddened and angry about this incident. There is no place in the UAlbany community for violence, no place for racial intolerance and no place for gender violence.”

A Twitter user believed to be one of the victims shared an account of her experiences:

Both local and university police are now investigating the altercation and, although they feel there isn’t a continuing threat on campus, have sent additional personnel to campus to ensure safety.

 

Photo credit: Twitter