Beena, beloved de-escalator & safety marshal, needs our help

On May 7, 2024, Beena was hit by a vehicle as she heroically ran in front of it to protect pedestrians. Shortly thereafter she was inexplicably arrested by the NYPD and spent the next 15 hours in custody. Now Beena’s friends have initiated this fundraiser to support with ongoing safety, medical, and other costs.

Our hero, Beena, needs help

For more than seven years, Maryellen (“Beena”) Novak has been keeping people safe by volunteering as a safety marshal, de-escalator, and police liaison at events such as marches, rallies, conferences, street performances, and more. In addition, she's trained hundreds of people with her unique approach to safety and communication which includes three tactics: empathy, active listening, and active stalling.

Combining both the theories she learned while earning an M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution with her practical activist experiences, she's gained the trust of many and acquired a reputation for doing whatever she can to ensure peace.

One of her favorite quotes shared during her trainings is by James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

On May 7, on the upper eastside of Manhattan, Beena led a team of safety marshals and de-escalators at a legal, non-violent picket that was organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). Participants of the picket remained focused and diligent as they encouraged the general public to envision a free Palestine, and urged a C.U. Trustee to divest all economic and academic stakes in Israel.

However, multiple counter-protestors swiftly assembled and harassed the picket participants by violently shouting at them and physically invading their space. For more than an hour, police officers observed the counter-protestors’ abusive actions, while Beena sought to protect both the picket participants and counter-protestors by putting her body on the line and standing between them. Seeking to instill a sense of order, she also silently endured the counter-protesters’ hostility.

After the picket ended, the participants dispersed.

Moments later as pedestrians were legally crossing Park Avenue, a vehicle turned and started driving into them. Seeing the incident unfold and hearing the pedestrians’ screams, Beena immediately ran towards the vehicle, stood in front of it with her hands up, and yelled, “STOP!”. But the driver didn't and Beena was pushed to the ground.

“Maryellen jumping in front of the car helped save a bunch of people,” one eyewitness told ABC News .

The driver of that vehicle was charged with a felony: second degree assault.

Despite her heroic actions, Beena was arrested while she was in an ambulance getting her vitals checked, handcuffed to a hospital stretcher while getting treated in an emergency room, and later shuffled between police stations until finally being released more than 15 hours after the start of the picket.

In the wake of these traumatizing events, Beena’s friends are fundraising on her behalf for various expenses including medical, safety, and living.

For years, Beena has voluntarily kept hundreds of people safe. And knowing her, she will resume this passion one day.

With her experience and training, she has developed a unique professional technique to de-escalating conflicts and preventing violence across various movement spaces.

We all feel safer when Beena is with us. She has never asked for anything in return. Now, it’s time to give back to her.

Any contribution you can make is greatly appreciated. We will post updates in the coming weeks and months.