Activists protest subway fare increase at Broadway Junction

Crisis Action Center Director Rev. Kevin McCall was arrested while protesting the MTA fare increase on Monday. Photo courtesy of the Crisis Action Center

By David Brand

Hours after demonstrating outside the Queens Criminal Courthouse Monday, community activists Rev. Kevin McCall and Chris Banks traveled to Broadway Junction for another protest, this time against the MTA’s fare increase.

The MTA raised fares on weekly and monthly Metrocards and eliminated bonuses for commuters who purchase more than one or two rides at a time on Sunday.

Banks, of East New York United, said the increase was unfair for working class commuters.

“Raising any transit toll is a declaration of war on the hard working men and women of New York City,” Banks said. “We have shared this burden too long  with no relief.”

McCall, the director of the Crisis Action Center, was arrested for delaying an A train at Broadway Junction.

McCall and Banks have supported the family of Chanel Lewis, the man convicted of killing Howard Beach resident Karina Vetrano, since the start of his proceedings in February 2017. They held another demonstration outside Queens Criminal Court following sentencing of Lewis on Tuesday.