Hundreds of New Yorkers took to the streets in protest against New York City's plan to convert a former school into a migrant shelter.
The city is grappling with an influx of asylum seekers and limited resources, prompting concerns among parents about public safety, as the proposed site is near multiple schools in the area.
New York Democratic State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton voiced her opposition to the decision on "Fox & Friends" and called on the city to reverse its plans before the migrants arrive. Scarcella-Spanton emphasized the importance of providing the community with an education center and expressed concerns about the shelter's location in a quiet residential area. She urged the city to consider alternative sites, stating, "this is certainly not the right location for a migrant shelter."
Scarcella-Spanton revealed that hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the former school, demonstrating their opposition to the decision. The protest featured a large banner that read "NO F---ING WAY!"
The city had purchased the academy after its closure in 2018, with promises to transform it back into a school. However, officials now plan to house 300 migrants at the site in the coming days, according to WABC. The report also mentioned that three individuals were arrested in connection with the protests.
In response to the community backlash, Mayor Eric Adams' office released a statement acknowledging the concerns and assuring the public that the site would be well-managed. However, Scarcella-Spanton maintained that the former school was not an ideal location for a migrant shelter and urged the city to reconsider its decision.
"It's not a good place for a site, and it's not too late," Scarcella-Spanton emphasized. "They haven't brought the migrants over yet. It's not too late for the city to reverse this decision. If they could see what we're seeing on the ground, I know that they would understand this is a poor location for these migrants."
Scarcella-Spanton highlighted the residential nature of the community and expressed concerns about ongoing protests if the shelter were to proceed.
Earlier, Mayor Adams had called on the Biden administration to declare a "state of emergency" due to the surge in migrants. CBS reported that the mayor's office had provided "shelter and care" to over 100,000 asylum seekers since last spring.
The report also mentioned a new facility on Randall's Island that can accommodate up to 3,000 people, providing housing, food, and other basic amenities.
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