With more than 2.7 million people who call Brooklyn their home, it’s easy to forget a face in the crowd. However, when that face is behind something cruel and vile, it’s a different story. A New York man was recently charged with targeting women on the streets of Williamsburg. The crime he chose to commit was heinous, but bizarre enough that it fell through legal loopholes. Rather than an extended jail stay, he instead got a slap on the wrist and a 24-hour release.
Anthony Caines was caught on security cameras spitting at women on the street. The footage shows Caines invading women’s personal spaces before appearing to spit directly in their faces. His behavior is a degrading act toward women, not to mention disgusting and unsanitary. This went on for two days before he was finally caught and convicted; however, his jail time certainly did not reflect the trauma he caused more than 10 women.
One of the victims said she felt understandably violated, while another was so shocked that she didn’t know how to react or what to do. The crime is so strange and aggressive that it seems even the New York City courts didn’t know how to handle it. Caines was released after pleading “not guilty” to aggravated harassment based on race or religion. Although he’d previously been charged with domestic violence and contempt of court, he was released as part of bail reform.
Those hearing about the case were beyond disappointed with the outcome, especially on Reddit. One user quoted Germaine Greer, saying, “Women have very little idea of how much men hate them.” Another called out the blatant attack against women, saying, “My spidey sense is telling me that it was likely much more motivated by misogyny than racism.” Another agreed with this, saying, “It wasn’t because of their races. It was because they were women. He spat on multiple races, but this video didn’t mention it. They were all women.”
