Protest Clash Erupts Over NYC Migrant Shelters: A Tug-of-War at Mayor’s Mansion
Tempers flared and signs clashed on the lively streets of Manhattan this Sunday as protesters and counterprotesters locked horns outside Mayor Eric Adams’ official residence. The epicenter of this showdown? Staten Island’s vocal outcry against new migrant shelters sprouting up in the borough.
Founder of Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa, took center stage, urging Mayor Adams to host asylum seekers at the grand Gracie Mansion. It’s like calling dibs on the guest room at a fancy party house! But, hold on, Adams initially warmed up to the idea before backing away like someone who accidentally picked up a hot potato.
Camera lenses caught the action outside Gracie Mansion, where the counterprotesters and the original protesters butted heads like rival dance crews. Yep, there were words flying around, and someone even tagged the counterprotesters with the “Antifa” label. Drama alert!
So, Sliwa spills the beans to Fox News Digital, claiming Antifa played the hype game all weekend. Their mission? To swoop in like the anti-xenophobe squad – targeting Curtis, Eric Adams, and anyone with an ounce of xenophobia. Talk about a twist in the plot!
“The xenophobes are about to get a makeover,” Sliwa quipped about the counterprotesters, who seemed hell-bent on delivering a lesson in tolerance.
But, oh boy, the plot thickens! The video shows Sliwa playing referee between the two squads, attempting to wrangle them behind a police barricade like an umpire urging players to stay within bounds. NYPD joined the party, too, giving stern looks and hauling folks away.
Surprise, surprise! Among those nabbed was Curtis Sliwa, flexing his 81-year-old muscles in handcuffs. An 80-year-old granny and a fellow senior citizen joined the party of arrests, charged with obstructing governmental administration – like protesting tag-team style.
Now, let’s pivot to the NYC Mayor’s response, delivered via email (because that’s how VIPs roll). Adams’ spokesperson said they felt for New Yorkers exhausted by the national immigration whirlwind. With over 100,000 asylum seekers crashing in since 2022’s spring break, the city’s been on an “open house” marathon. They’ve popped up 206 housing spots, from cozy nests to grand humanitarian hubs. But hey, it’s not a one-city circus; they’re waving the flag for a state and nation-wide solution. Unity, people!
This recent showdown was all about a former school turned migrant shelter. Staten Island’s St. John Villa Academy has a new gig. A judge did the cha-cha with temporary restraining orders, but the city’s victory dance reversed that in hours.
Hold up! There’s more to come, folks. Another showdown is penciled in for Monday at the old school grounds. Bring your banners, your strong opinions, and maybe a catchy protest anthem.
In the last year, around 100,000 asylum seekers rolled into town like a migratory parade, with most squeezing into NYC and giving homeless shelters a lively vibe. Both Mayor Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul are waving SOS flags at President Biden, hoping he’s got some magic tricks up his sleeve for this migrant marathon.
This is the Big Apple, after all, where even political protests come with a side of attitude. 🗽🍎