Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and former Republican mayoral candidate for New York City, was taken into custody on Sunday amid a demonstration against the Midland Beach Migrant Shelter on Staten Island.
Sliwa, along with his supporters, was seen protesting outside the migrant shelter, previously known as the Midland Beach Senior Citizen Home. In a press statement issued prior to the event, Sliwa accused New York City's Mayor, Eric Adams, of evicting the elderly residents of the nursing home to accommodate undocumented immigrants. "Eric Adams kicked out the elderly occupants of this nursing home in order to house illegal migrants," Sliwa stated. "He is despicable."
He also criticized politicians for their role in making way for the "invasion of illegal immigrants" into NYC communities. "We need to take care of Americans first. Migrants, illegals, to the back of the line," he declared. "Why do these illegal aliens get to jump the queue and jump to the top and front of the line?"
As part of his address, Sliwa urged those present to join him in obstructing the street in a display of civil disobedience. He, along with other demonstrators, blocked the street, with some waving the American flag and many chanting, "USA, USA, USA."
The protest culminated in the arrest of Sliwa and several others, who were handcuffed and transported in a police van. This marks the second instance within a week that Sliwa and his fellow demonstrators have been arrested over protests against migrant shelters.
Earlier in the week, Sliwa led a group of protesters outside the Creedmoor Hospital Grounds, where a tent shelter had been set up for migrants. "Have pity. No tent city!" Sliwa chanted, while criticizing Mayor Eric Adams. "We're going to keep driving this point home until you decide to be the mayor and represent American people who are citizens of New York City who pay their taxes and afford to put you in a $5000 customized suit each and every day."
Footage revealed Sliwa and other demonstrators being handcuffed and escorted away. According to the mayor's office, over 93,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since spring. Earlier this month, Mayor Eric Adams stated in a press conference that the city no longer has the capacity to accommodate migrants.
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