By: Hellen Zaboulani
On Monday, New York City municipal employees took to the Brooklyn Bridge in protest of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate. As reported by the NY Post, some 5,000 protestors marched on the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan. Many of them carried American flags, and some chanted phrases including, “F—k de Blasio”, and “We will not comply.” Many carried signs that read, “Workers are essential. Mandates are not,” and ”My body, My choice”. Over 20 people were arrested during the protest, a police source said.
Last Wednesday, the mayor had announced that all government staffers, except those who work at the jails, will be required to have at least one vaccine shot by Friday at 5 p.m., or be placed on unpaid leave until they provide proof of inoculation. The new mandate replaces the former test-or-shot requirement. Previously, only the city’s Department of Education staff and health workers were required to get the jab. As an incentive, the city employees who agree now to get the shot will receive a $500 bonus to their paycheck. Some city workers who already got vaccinated were also mad, and told The Post they felt it was a sign of “disrespect”, that they don’t get the cash reward. Correction officers have an extension till Dec. 1 to get their first shot, because Rikers Island is already experiencing an ongoing staffing shortage.
At Monday’s demonstration, some of the protesters wore NYPD and FDNY shirts, and some held up “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. Some even went to the extreme of wearing yellow stars of David to compare the vaccine requirement to Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jews. “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,” said firefighter Sofia Medina after the crowd reached City Hall. “Leave us alone and let us work,” she said to de Blasio. “Get out of the way for those of us who want to work and show up on time.”
“Mayor de Blasio wants to paint us as immoral, unsafe, and a danger to the public. To the citizens of the city, we want to continue protecting you,” yelled Paul Schweit, who was wearing an FDNY shirt.
“Thousands of good cops and city municipal workers stand to lose their jobs,” one police officer said. “Are the good people of New York City confident adequate people will fill those positions. I’m frightened of what comes next?”
