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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Mackenzie Watson, a dog walker residing with his actress sister Jamie Linn Watson on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, has become a central figure in a wave of neighborhood unrest. As reported by The New York Post on Sunday, Watson has allegedly terrorized residents by repeatedly tearing down posters of Israeli hostages and clashing with anyone who opposes his actions since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Dubbed “MackNazi” by some neighbors, Watson’s behavior has sparked widespread outrage, with court records and accounts from his alleged victims painting a disturbing picture of his activities.
Exclusive | Unhinged man dubbed ‘MackNazi’ terrorizing NYC, ripping down Israeli hostage posters https://t.co/qvlXeAvLv2 pic.twitter.com/YYZITWDkje
— New York Post (@nypost) December 8, 2024
According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Watson’s actions seem fueled by animosity towards Jews, as suggested by numerous accounts from residents who have witnessed or been subjected to his outbursts. A 48-year-old resident described him as “focused more on ripping down posters than caring for the dogs he walks.” He is often seen juggling leashes while aggressively removing pro-Israel stickers and flyers. This behavior, the resident estimates, has led to hostile interactions with at least 100 locals.
The New York Post report detailed an incident in June 2024 involving Watson and a mother-daughter duo. After the 15-year-old girl removed one of Watson’s “anti-Semitic” stickers, he reportedly harassed and stalked the pair for five blocks, shouting obscenities and anti-Semitic remarks. The mother recalled Watson screaming phrases such as, “I don’t give a s–t about the hostages!” and other inflammatory language. The incident prompted the mother to file a complaint at the NYPD’s 24th Precinct, where she coincidentally encountered Gary Paul, another neighbor filing a similar report against Watson.
Gary Paul, a 71-year-old architect, described multiple confrontations with Watson to The New York Post, including instances where Watson followed him for several blocks. Paul expressed deep concern for the safety of neighborhood residents, calling the atmosphere “unsafe” due to Watson’s aggressive conduct.
Watson’s hostile behavior has drawn sharp criticism and legal action, with victims and their advocates expressing frustration over lenient responses by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
As The New York Post report indicated, Watson’s actions gained widespread attention after an April 2024 incident in which he verbally attacked a 45-year-old woman. The woman was posting stickers to raise awareness about Israeli and American hostages taken by Hamas when Watson reportedly thrust his phone camera into her face and screamed, “Zionist bitch! Zionist c—t!” Traumatized by the encounter, the woman stated she now carries pepper spray for protection. “I shouldn’t have to live this way,” she told The New York Post.
In November 2023, Watson allegedly escalated his aggression by shoving Joseph Goodrich, a 32-year-old man, to the ground, punching him, and dislocating his shoulder. Goodrich had reportedly tried to prevent Watson from tearing down hostage posters. According to a criminal complaint and Goodrich’s lawyer, Peter Gordon, Watson was initially charged with assault. However, as The New York Post highlighted, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, led by Alvin Bragg, allowed Watson to plea bargain to a conditional discharge on a lesser charge of second-degree harassment, provided he completed anger management courses and avoided trouble for a year.
Watson’s legal troubles deepened less than two months later when he was arrested again for allegedly clawing the face and kicking the shin of a 59-year-old man. The man had intervened in an altercation between Watson and a woman who objected to him tearing down a hostage poster near Broadway and West 100th Street. The NYPD and court records cited by The New York Post indicate that the District Attorney’s Office charged Watson with assault and harassment and sought to void the conditional discharge from the earlier case.
When confronted at his home by a reporter from The New York Post, Watson reportedly justified his actions by stating, “There’s a genocide going on,” before abruptly shutting the door.
Watson’s actions are part of a broader trend in New York City of individuals targeting Israeli hostage posters and related signage in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel. The New York Post also noted a similar controversy involving Nallah Sutherland, an Adams administration staffer who was initially given a light disciplinary action for removing hostage posters. Following public backlash and an expose by The New York Post, Mayor Eric Adams intervened, suspending Sutherland indefinitely without pay.
This series of incidents, as chronicled by The New York Post, illustrates the heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises questions about the adequacy of legal and administrative responses to anti-Semitic acts or those that are politically motivated. For Watson’s alleged victims, the hope for justice and safety remains a pressing concern.
