On October 19th, the “Save South Brooklyn Alliance” held the “Stand Up to Protect U Avenue” rally on U Avenue, marking another mobilization of the South Brooklyn community on the eve of the mayoral election. Around a thousand residents from neighborhoods like Gowanus and Bensonhurst participated, gathering at 2134 Coyle Street, the proposed site for a large homeless shelter, before marching along U Avenue to the intersection with Coney Road.
The event aimed to oppose the city government’s plan to build a large homeless shelter in residential areas. The atmosphere during the rally was intense, with New York City Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa rallying residents, conservative voters, and some members of the Chinese community against the homeless shelter. He criticized the current Democratic city and state policies for deteriorating public safety and the surge in homelessness, promising to “halt the construction of new shelters and restore law and order” if elected.
During his speech at the final gathering, Sliwa emphasized that his two political opponents “both want more shelters and lithium-ion battery storage stations. I am the only candidate who says ‘no’.” He urged supporters to vote for the “law and order candidate” and promised to end cashless bail, oppose the “Raise the Age” criminal responsibility act, keep Rikers Island prison open, and ensure that criminals return to jail rather than having toothpaste locked in stores.
Republican City Council candidate for the 46th District, Athena Clarke, subsequently urged voters to “vote entirely red (Republican).” She praised Sliwa for standing with the people during the pandemic lockdowns, stating that he was the only candidate aligned with their interests. She called for a government that works for the people, not the other way around. The crowd immediately responded with chants of “Curtis!” in support of Sliwa.
Ron Canterino, head of the organization “New Yorkers First,” described Sliwa as a candidate who fights for every New Yorker and every community, striving for free speech, education, and rights while combating the destructive forces of “awakening” and socialism. He called for an end to such movements in New York.
At the culmination of the event, Lina Chen, the organizer of the “Save South Brooklyn Alliance,” addressed residents, reminding them that October 25th is the start of early voting and the deadline for new voter registration. She stressed the importance of voting to bring about changes in the community and improve quality of life, urging residents to start by casting their own votes.
One of the participants in the march, Shubin Zhu, expressed his support for Sliwa, citing his active presence in community protests and longstanding concern for subway safety issues. He criticized certain policies enacted by Governor Cuomo that worsened public safety and highlighted the financial challenges associated with the socialist policies proposed by Mandani, warning that increased taxes may impact everyone.
Regarding voters leaning towards candidates with high polling numbers and strong chances of winning, Zhu believed that poll numbers do not necessarily reflect actual voting outcomes, often being inflated by media coverage. He highlighted the importance of focusing on candidates’ solutions to societal issues rather than personal preferences or corporate endorsements when making voting decisions.
Zhu emphasized that Sliwa’s stance on tax reduction and anti-corruption resonates more with the middle and lower-income groups, unlike Mandani’s ambitious goals that require increased taxation. He hoped for Sliwa to govern with grassroots integrity, cracking down on corruption and focusing on practical solutions that matter to the people.