An MTA subway cleaner is undergoing surgery on Friday after he was attacked Thursday morning according to TWU Local 100 Stations Vice President Robert Kelley.

According to police, Anthony Nelson was working inside the 6 Train station when someone told him people were being harassed outside the station. He rushed to help and was thrown to the ground by the suspect, injuring his right shoulder.

Police say the suspect, 49-year-old Alexander Wright, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count of harassment.

The TWU says that Nelson suffered a broken nose and a broken collarbone. His family says that Nelson is in a lot of physical and emotional pain and may need another surgery on Monday.

Nelson’s loved ones and city officials say they are concerned and outraged by the attack.

"They should have had more security at that station because that is a station where there is homelessness there,” said his mother, Lisa Nelson.

"We need to stop these assaults, our people did not come to this job to end up in the hospital, we came here to transport people to work,” said Tony Utano, President of the Transport Workers Union.

The mayor, who visited Nelson’s family in the hospital to show support, made statements stressing that the criminal justice system must hold people accountable.

"Our streets must be safe, we're passing laws for those who commit crimes, it's time to make sure we pass laws and do the right thing for the innocent people of this city,” he said.