Thousands of city workers and first responders protested against vaccine mandates in New York City on Monday.
The marchers, which included members of New York City’s fire and police departments and other emergency services, shouted chants of “Let’s go Brandon,” “F*** de Blasio,” “Hold the line,” “U.S.A.,” and “We will not comply” while moving through the streets of the city and across Brooklyn Bridge. Protesters can be seen waving American and Gadsden flags, as well as a variety of signs.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced a vaccine mandate for city workers last week, setting a deadline of October 29 for workers to receive their first dose of the vaccine. He also announced a $500 incentive for workers who received their first shot early.
“There is no greater privilege than serving the people of New York City, and that privilege comes with a responsibility to keep yourself and your community safe,” de Blasio said in the statement. “We have led the way against COVID-19 – from fighting for the right to vaccinate frontline workers, to providing nation-leading incentives, to creating the Key to NYC mandate. As we continue our recovery for all of us, city workers have been a daily inspiration. Now is the time for them to show their city the path out of this pandemic once and for all.”
Protesters at the Monday march vowed to resist the city’s mandate and blasted de Blasio. Twenty protesters were arrested during the march, a source told The New York Post.
“Now, [after] working after countless of emergencies — Hurricane Sandy, the snowstorms … I am under threat. We are under threat of losing our livelihood for simply retaining the choice of protecting our bodies,” firefighter Sofia Medina told the Post after the protest reached City Hall. “Why now are we being bribed and coerced to take a medication. … We are not now nor have ever been a public health threat.”
“Leave us alone and let us work,” she continued, addressing de Blasio. “Get out of the way for those of us who want to work and show up on time.”
A police officer at the event said, “Thousands of good cops and city municipal workers stand to lose their jobs.”
“Are the good people of New York City confident adequate people will fill those positions. I’m frightened of what comes next?” the officer continued. “Under the authority of Mayor de Blasio, what will be the next order for the NYPD?”
The protest comes as a handful of GOP-led states are offering jobs to police officers who would like to relocate out of vaccine mandate areas. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy is the latest in a series of GOP executives to reach out to law enforcement angered by such mandates.
“Across the country, members of law enforcement are being targeted & even fired for refusing to either get vaccinated or disclose if they have been. Alaska’s law enforcement community invites you to consider the 49th state where we back the blue,” Dunleavy said last week.
A stock photo of a Nurse preparing a vaccination