The family of Sarah Comrie, aka “Citi Bike Karen,” has launched a GoFundMe to save her livelihood and reputation.
RELATED STORIES: Citi Bike Karen Placed On Leave After Backlash From Viral Video
The Bellevue Hospital employee was placed on leave after millions saw the video of social media users. Additionally, she’s six months pregnant, and her family launched a GoFundMe page amid the backlash from the video. “The facts have since proven this is a lie, but the damage has been done. In fact, Sarah is a dedicated healthcare worker who is six months pregnant. She holds racial justice and equity dear, and has dedicated her life to serving NYC’s most challenged individuals,” the fundraiser says.
Comrie’s lawyer Justin Marino confirmed her identity after speaking with the New York Post on Thursday and said his client paid for the bike she tried to snatch away in the viral video. He added that he had Comrie’s receipt after allegedly paying for the bike, and no one was surrounding it when she tried to remove it from the docking station. Seconds later, the boys allegedly approached her and tried to take the bike after claiming it was theirs.
RELATED STORIES: NYC Hospital Worker Goes Viral As She Tries To Snatch A Black Man’s Citi Bike And Claimed He Was A Threat To Her
“She does not wish to become a cause celebre, but the legal bills to save her livelihood and her reputation obviously are mounting,”
Since its launch, her GoFundMe page has raised $15,080, aiming to reach $35,000. However, news of the crowdfunding caused more backlash for Comrie.
This is a verified GoFundMe for Sarah Comrie, the nurse who was smeared as a racist after a group of black guys tried to steal her bike, being organized by her uncle. She and her husband had to flee their home due to the threats they’ve gotten. https://t.co/QLUVxAwZAi
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 19, 2023
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I’m actually curious how someone with a medical background AND pregnant would even ride a bike and also not wear a helmet (I didn’t see her holding one in any of the footage).
— D (@dschorrnyc) May 19, 2023
I couldn’t believe how comfy she was arguing & fake saying Help me, you’re hurting my fetus & all the other crap she was spewing! The only person(s) I felt bad for were the young boys who were not agressive trying to get the rental bike he paid for. A GoFundMe now?🤮No Way!!🤦🏻♀️
— SoFLaITaLGaL🏝🦩🌏✌🏻 (@SoFLaITaLGaL1) May 19, 2023
How does getting a lot of money save your livelihood or reputation? Getting a big sack of money doesn’t get you your job back or make people not think you’re a racist accusing black people of “attacking” you when you steal a bike
— DoctorWorm (@DoctorWorm3) May 19, 2023