MANHATTAN, New York—Thousands gathered near Central Park in Manhattan on Saturday to express their discontent with the vaccine mandates and passport requirements implemented on the city by Mayor Bill de Blasio this month.
New York City started enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate Monday, with de Blasio warning that “there’ll be consequences” for those who do not follow the rules.
The mandate requires establishments to put up certain signage and verify customers’ COVID-19 vaccine proof, such as vaccination cards issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York City vaccination records, other official immunization records, the NYC COVID Safe App, or the Excelsior Pass.
Participants first gathered at Columbus Circle and then marched to Times Square, led by one of the speakers, Jo Rose.
“If you took the vaccine, I love you. This not against you, we are pro-freedom,” she announced to passersby.
Participants chanted “my body, my choice,” “no vaccine passports,” and “freedom over fear!”
At the rally in Times Square, people spoke about standing up for their rights and against tyranny.
Among the diverse group of speakers, the themes of unity and freedom were often brought up.
One speaker said, “The only thing that gathers us all together, different groups, different types, is our stance against tyranny. When they try to take away our freedoms, we stand.”
Another said, “Don’t use this as a political front. I don’t care about Biden. I don’t care about Trump. I don’t care if you’re a Republican. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat. I don’t care if you’re black, yellow, white, purple. I don’t care if you’re Christian, Muslim, gay, straight. I don’t care. This is a human issue and it should be bringing us all together.”
The crowd cheered in response.
Artist Tessa Lena also spoke at the rally: “It’s not about even those injections, it’s about establishing a system for artificial immunity.” She spoke about how “we are people of love, we are going to win with love.”
