A Facebook page set up to show support for Alexian Lien, the New York driver pulled from his vehicle and beaten by bikers while his wife and daughter watched in terror, has generated more than 13,000 likes in just four days. (update: after six days, there are now more than 16,000 likes)
Lien has faced some criticism for seriously injuring one of the bikers when he sped his vehicle away in an attempt to escape. One of the bikers Lien hit has a broken spine, fractured ribs and could be left paralyzed.
The page entitled Justice for Alexian Lien reads:
“Think about what Alexian’s wife must have been thinking.. Prayers and thoughts from all of us will be going out to Rosalyn and their daughter! The terror that they are going to be facing for many years will be unbearable! These thugs are probably still going to be looking for this family since they have their plate numbers and names. Please share this group and lets get our voice heard! Thank you to everyone.. We can do it!”
The injured biker, Edwin Mieses Jr, has been described as a family man and his attorney, Gloria Allred, has portrayed him as trying to defuse an explosive situation.
Lien’s family has offered its sympathy to Mieses family, but says Alexian acted out of fear for his family’s safety.
“Our sympathies go out to the injured motorcyclist and his family,” the statement said.
“However, we were faced with a life-threatening situation, and my husband was forced under the circumstances to take the actions that he did in order to protect the lives of our entire family.”
Two of the bikers have been arrested in the beating of Lien.
