Aretha Franklin memorialized with official NYC subway tributes

The world lost Aretha Franklin a couple weeks ago, and in honor of the Queen of Soul, some fans made clever, moving tributes at both the Franklin St stop on the 1 train in Manhattan and the Franklin Avenue stop on the A/C line in Brooklyn. Those were taken down, but the MTA unveiled official tributes in both stations on Saturday, September 1 with “RESPECT” signs on the subway platforms. “We wanted to memorialize the outpouring of love from the community for Aretha Franklin,” said an MTA spokesperson in a statement. “In consultation with local leaders, we agreed that ‘respect’ was a beautiful tribute and worthy message.”

The MTA hasn’t said if the new tributes will be permanent or temporary.