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Activists are swiping people into the subway for free around the city today to protest recent NYPD crackdowns and raise awareness about the legality of sharing a MetroCard.
The #SwipeItForward events took place at 4/5/6 stop at 125th street in Harlem and the Nostrand Avenue A/C stop in Brooklyn this morning. More are planned at stops around the city for this evening’s commute.
Under current MTA rules, it’s completely legal to offer someone a swipe into the subway while you’re leaving (as long as they don’t ask you for it) and is a nice thing to do to help out a person in need.
NYPD arrested 30,000 people for "fare beating" last year. 92% of them were people of color. Today we #SwipeItForward pic.twitter.com/NZgbBJ3CbP
— BYP100 (@BYP_100) November 2, 2016
The NYPD has cracked down on fare evaders in recent years, primarily affecting low-income communities of color. It was the primary arrest category in NYC last year with 92 percent of those charge being people of color.
In NYC, advocacy groups are offering free subway fares at stations that serve primarily black, brown and poor commuters. #SwipeItForward. pic.twitter.com/wYd7S8TY9a
— B. Scott (@lovebscott) November 2, 2016