X/@MegynKellyShow
A student of NYU was attacked so brutally in broad daylight that it brought about a debate on safety and justice in the city. Amelia Lewis recounted the incident of being attacked by a stranger during an exclusive interview with Megyn Kelly. The attack, the camera captured, has drawn a lot of public disapproval and at the same time raised the questions of safety for the people, reincarnated criminals, and the overall policies regarding public safety.
Advertisement
Megyn Kelly showcased a part of her show where the interview was highlighted, and urged the spectators to watch the entire discussion. In the brief video, Lewis states that a man sprinted towards her at the junction of Broadway and Waverly Place. She also said that before the man yanked her hair and threw her down, she had been given a strong smack on the backside. Lewis could not believe what was happening and told that she and the few spectators watching were taken aback until some other people came to her rescue.
Soon after, people were discussing the assault in the greater context of the city’s justice system and how it worked. The response was mainly oriented towards the history of the offender. A person online emphasized that the defendant had ’16 known priors’ for sexual assault and denounced a purported policy of sending social workers to deal with such offenders instead of applying stricter measures. This remark led to a debate where many people shared their dissatisfaction about the current authorities and the lack of accountability.
On the other hand, people sympathized with Lewis and others who have suffered similar incidents. A parent of another NYU freshman wrote a note that put his feelings into words and stated that his daughter walks the same route every day. They thanked God for Lewis’s protection, but at the same time started a side discussion about personal safety measures. It was recommended to refrain from wearing headphones, so that one could be aware of the surroundings, but this was fiercely challenged by others who saw it as victim-blaming. ‘If she hadn’t had headphones on, he wouldn’t have run up and hit her?’ one user shot back, stressing the suddenness and nature of the attack.
The police caught the assailant but even that did not lessen the public anger. The call to ‘prosecute’ was Responded to with the ironical comment as to what the outcome of the trial would be. ‘He will be released AGAIN !’ one of the comments that openly highlighted the issue and summed it up succinctly. Another one predicted that only after a very severe act of violence would the killer be given a long prison sentence. The persistent cry of a wronged criminal getting his second and third chances was heard again and again, with many attributing this to certain prosecutors and political measures that they consider to be the cause of the so-called leniency.
The entire case also shifted the portrayal of New York City as a tourist destination. More than a few people said that they wouldn’t come again, one even mentioned not taking his kids to the ‘declining’ city ever again. This is the same story of urban decay and safety, which is inflicting its consequences on the single case. Still, there were some who did not see it this way; for example, one user mentioned that they had just come back from a family vacation without having any ‘problems at all,’ thus indicating the gap between crime statistics and people’s experiences.
Amelia Lewis herself appeared in the comment section and expressed her gratitude to Kelly for allowing her to promote her story. The young woman characterized the interview as ‘the most incredible experience,’ tying it back to her aim of being listened to in order to raise awareness. Her supporters hailed her bravery and recommended her to enroll in a self-defense course while others ominously forewarned the occurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future.
Advertisement
The conversations in the comments below Kelly’s post represent only a small piece of the much broader debates characterized by tensions that are occurring throughout the country. The sad personal tale is mixed with arguments regarding criminal justice reform, political leadership, victim advocacy, and city life. While Lewis is using her voice in the fight for protection and awareness, the reactions of people indicate that the frustrations with the systems that many consider to be failing are still very strong. It is a very protracted process that resembles Lewis’s class walk, which feels uncertain and full of tension for both residents and those observing from afar. This story brings to mind the kind of candid discussions found in a Matthew McConaughey interview, and the media scrutiny similar to what was described when Megyn Kelly slams Jennifer Aniston. The emotional weight of such public tragedies is often honored in broadcasts like Megyn Kelly’s tribute to Charlie Kirk, and the profound impact of personal kindness, as Megyn Kelly revealed about Kevin Hines, feels especially relevant in times of crisis.
