Philadelphia

Mona Eltahawy: MTA may discuss ad regulations after ‘racist’ ad furor, activist’s arrest

Mona Eltahawy was arrested after spray painting over a subway ad and a heated confrontation with another woman.

As outrage continues over a series of subway ads that depict jihad as “savage,” the MTA may consider revising its policy on subway ads when the board meets Thursday, an MTA spokesman told Metro.

But the spokesman said it’s too premature to speculate what kind of specific changes could be discussed.

Last year, the MTA brought in $120 million in advertising revenue. A small portion of that revenue comes from non-commercial ads — ads that aren’t selling something, but carry a message, such as the controversial signs up now.

Several groups upset with the ads also said they plan on protesting Thursday morning when the MTA board meets at 9:30 a.m. at the transit agency’s Midtown offices at 347 Madison Avenue.

The International Action Center, an anti-war group, is planning to stage a protest against the ads, which remain up in 10 Manhattan subway stations. On Monday night, at least six of the 10 ads were covered by stickers that read “racist” or “hate speech.”

“This week the MTA issued another slap in the face to its riders,” the IAC said in a statement. “As if the new round of fare hikes weren’t enough, it carried racist, anti-Muslim ads in ten NY subway stations.”

Writer and political activist Mona Eltahawy, an Egyptian-born U.S. citizen, was arrested Tuesday night in the Times Square station after attempting to spray-paint over one of 10 ads that refer to jihad as “savage.”

Armed with a video camera, Pamela Hall, a Manhattan woman, put herself between Eltahawy and the ad in an attempt to prevent her from defacing it. Undeterred, Eltahawy warned Hall to get out of the way or get sprayed. She then sprayed paint at Hall when she refused to move. After the heated confrontation continued, Eltahawy was handcuffed by two police officers who stayed quiet when she demanded to know why she was under arrest.  

Eltahawy was in court yesterday morning on a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief, according to her Twitter account. Meanwhile, Hall uploaded her video of the confrontation to YouTube.

Is MTA responsible for the ads?

The MTA initially rejected the ads when the American Freedom Defense Initiative, headed by Pamela Geller, tried to purchase them.

The MTA lost the case in federal court in July on grounds of free speech.

But the IAC said it is still holding the transit authority responsible for the ads.

“Their official stance on [the ads] is that their hands are tied, but they say that whenever they do something people don’t like,” IAC spokesman Tony Murphy told Metro. “I don’t really trust what the MTA says.”

[View the story "Mona Eltahawy" on Storify]


News
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
Local

New York claims more proof of bank mortgage…

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said there is mounting evidence that Bank of America Corp, Wells Fargo and Co and other banks violated the terms of a settlement designed…

Local

Ex-Chickie's manager files federal lawsuit

A former South Jersey Chickies & Pete's restaurant manager filed a federal lawsuit against the chain.

Local

SEPTA board approves fare hikes

The SEPTA board has approved a series of fare hikes that will take effect on July 1, while postponing a vote on its proposed 2014 operating budget.

Breaking: International

UPDATE: Bomb disposal team arrives at diverted Pakistan…

A bomb disposal team has just pulled up alongside a Pakistan Airways jet diverted to London's Stansted airport today after reports that a threat had…

The Word

The Word: Tim Curry suffers a major stroke

Tim Curry, star of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," suffered a major stroke in his LA home last night.

Entertainment

The Word: Men of the red carpet, May…

No matter how you put it, we can all appreciate a man with great style.

The Word

The Word: Jimmy Fallon will parody Game of…

Jimmy Fallon will premiere his "Game of Thrones parody "A Game of Desks" tonight on his show.

The Word

The Word: Selena Gomez has dinner with Jaden…

Selena Gomez's friends may not be huge fans of her on-again, off-again gentleman caller Justin Bieber, but she seems to get along just fine with his pals.

MLB

Chase Utley placed on 15-day DL

Chase Utley is out 2-4 weeks.

MLB

Kyle Kendrick opens series against Nationals

Phillies in D.C. for three-game set.

NBA

Jrue Holiday set to wed longtime girlfriend

Jrue Holiday is getting married in July.

MLB

Lee dominates, Phillies top Marlins

Cliff Lee had nearly as many hits as he allowed to the Miami Marlins Wednesday night.

Education

Sexual activities for the classroom

A new book seeks to help educators bring up the sometimes awkward discussions surrounding gender and sexuality.

Style

Street style: Milan

Oxana Ong, in a graphic neon skirt suit with high slit, stand out from the crowd.

Lifestyle

Editor's Pick: Explorer Yoga Bag

Perfect yoga bag for the man who loves downward dogs after work.

Food

Trainer to the stars Tracy Anderson launches meal…

The program began in LA and is going nationwide June 1