On Sunday, over 100 residents and elected officials of New York City gathered outside Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn to demand the closure of a migrant tent city situated at the federal site. The rally aimed to put pressure on the city leaders to take action regarding the problematic situation.
A group of passionate locals, proudly waving American flags, rallied together at the location in a 90-vehicle caravan. Their main demand was for City Hall to refuse to renew the lease for the 2,000-bed migrant shelter that has been the center of numerous neighborhood complaints since its opening last year.
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According to Marine Park resident Brenda Lee, many New Yorkers believe that the crisis is not debatable and there seems to be no end in sight as illegals are prioritized over them.
Lee emphasized the importance of speaking up and being clear about the direction and potential end of the situation. “We need to speak up about exactly what, you know, where this is gonna go and where, how is it going to end? Is it gonna end?” she questioned.
Signs with messages like “preserve the American dream” and “stop migrant crime” were hung from the windows of cars and trucks that arrived at the scene, along with a sign that read “revoke the lease to Floyd Bennett.”
According to Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Brooklyn), the migrants from the base camp now have alternative places to go. She addressed the protesters at the site and emphasized the need for people to visit the national park and enjoy it. She expressed how the park was taken away from them, and they deserve to have it back.
She stated that it was taken away from them this summer and emphasized that it should not be renewed.
State Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (R-Brooklyn) also took the stage at the energetic rally.
Williams declared a resounding “no more” and emphasized the need to reclaim the community, city, and state. He made it clear that those behaving like thugs should take heed as a strong message was being sent to them, and that it was imperative to close the borders.
Since 2022, New York City has seen a significant influx of migrants seeking refuge, resulting in the conversion of numerous shelters throughout the five boroughs, including Floyd Bennett Field, to accommodate the growing population.
Most of the individuals seeking asylum have crossed the US-Mexico border and have been sent to “sanctuary cities” like New York. This has caused a strain on the city’s capacity to accommodate them.
According to a report by The Post in January, the migrant shelter that was established at the former airfield has been plagued with unrest and violence. The shelter witnessed a domestic assault incident in December and has been witness to several arrests related to assault, and even a gun bust, as per police reports.
In January, the migrants, who included children, had to be hurriedly evacuated from the site in the middle of the night due to the perilous winds that were approaching the city. The situation was critical as there were fears that the tents could be toppled over or that fatal flooding could occur.
Residents in the area have been consistently complaining about their troublesome and unwelcome neighbors.
During Sunday’s protest, Curtis Sliwa, the founder of Guardian Angels, emphasized that the issue at hand was not about politics, but rather about distinguishing between right and wrong. The demonstration was a statement in support of legal immigration, making it clear that the rally was not against immigration in general.
According to him, the migrants’ safety is at risk, and the flood plain is not suitable for them. He believes that it will have a negative impact on the neighborhood and the quality of life. He asserts that they will continue to exert pressure until Floyd Bennett Field is closed.
