A white female employee of Bellevue Hospital in New York City has earned herself an unwelcome reputation as a “Karen.”
The woman was caught on video arguing with a young black bike rider who had already paid the rental fee for a CitiBike, claiming it was hers. The video quickly gained traction on Twitter, amassing over six million views and sparking outrage at her behavior.
Wearing hospital scrubs, the woman attempts to take the bike from the rightful customer while screaming for help, alleging that he is threatening her.
In the video, she can be heard shouting, “Help! Help me! Please, help me,” as she tries to draw the attention of passersby.
Despite the young man calmly explaining that he has already paid for the bike, she continues to make a scene and even goes so far as to claim that he is threatening her unborn child. The young man remains steadfast, refusing to relinquish the bike while the woman persists.
Another individual wearing scrubs, presumably a coworker from the same hospital, intervenes in an effort to calm the situation. The woman then starts crying, attempting to gain sympathy. A group of the young man’s friends come to his defense, saying that the woman is faking her distress.
Ultimately, the coworker manages to calm down the woman, and she agrees to select another bicycle.
Although the incident became an internet sensation, it was not reported to the New York Police Department. However, when contacted by the media, the police acknowledged that they were aware of the widely-circulated video.
