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Jul 30, 2023

Large protest planned at Staten Island migrant shelter after rowdy rally at Gracie Mansion

Published Aug 28, 2023 at 10:28 a.m. ET Modified Aug 28, 2023 at 2:29 p.m. ET Share Published Aug 28, 2023 at 10:28 a.m. ET Modified Aug 28, 2023 at 2:29 p.m. ET Share Make your contribution now and

Published Aug 28, 2023 at 10:28 a.m. ET

Modified Aug 28, 2023 at 2:29 p.m. ET

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Published Aug 28, 2023 at 10:28 a.m. ET

Modified Aug 28, 2023 at 2:29 p.m. ET

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Staten Island residents are expected to protest a migrant shelter at a former Catholic school Monday evening – one day after the NYPD arrested six people outside Gracie Mansion rallying against Mayor Eric Adams’ response to the asylum seeker crisis.

A flier for the upcoming “Protest-a-Palooza” urges residents to “Say No” at “NYC’s Biggest Block Party” at the former St. John Villa Academy.

The building in Arrochar was the site of several large protests last week, some of which reportedly turned ugly. One protester yelled at migrants they were “not welcome” and “enemies of the state,” vowing to make a “citizen's arrest” if they left the vicinity of the shelter, according to the New York Post.

Peter DiMiceli, who described himself as a "patriot from Staten Island," was setting up tent canopies across the street from a banner reading "No F**kin Way!" six hours before the protest was to begin. He said opening the shelter for migrants "in the backyard of a beautiful community" was a recipe for trouble.

The St. John Villa Academy building has been converted into a migrant shelter, outraging some local residents.

The NYPD had blocked off access to the shelter. A large crowd was expected in the evening.

The building had been the site of large protests for the past week. The Staten Island Advance reported that the crowd at St. John Villa was often agitated and chanted about “saving their children” and sending migrants back to the countries they fled.

About two dozen migrants are currently housed at the facility, which has room for up to 300 people, according to a City Hall official. On Friday, an appeals court ruled against an effort by Staten Island lawmakers to block the Adams administration from sending migrants to the shelter.

The expected rally comes on the heels of Sunday’s gathering of around 150 people outside Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side.

The protesters outraged at the recent surge in new arrivals clashed with counter-protesters and police, with several violent altercations captured in videos on social media. Counter-protesters held signs reading "stop playing politics with asylum seekers" and "stop the war on immigrants."

Among the six arrested were former Republican candidate for mayor and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, according to the NYPD. He was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of governmental administration after addressing the rowdy crowd.

Sliwa did not immediately return a request for comment.

A 32-year-old man was charged with assaulting a police officer and interfering with an arrest after shoving an officer to the ground, according to police. The officer fractured his thumb.

A 31-year-old woman was charged with assault and interfering with an arrest after she hit another person with a closed fist, causing minor injuries, police said.

An 81-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man were also arrested and given desk appearance tickets for disorderly conduct and obstruction of governmental administration.

A supporter of Curtis Sliwa was taken into custody at the protest over asylum seekers at Gracie Mansion.

A sixth person taken into custody was released without being charged.

According to City Hall, 104,400 asylum seekers have passed through the city’s shelter system since the spring of 2022. About 59,000 asylum seekers are currently in the shelter system.

“New Yorkers are weary of bearing the brunt of this national crisis, and we empathize with their concerns,” City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak said in a statement. “New York City has been left largely alone to deal with a national crisis that demands difficult decision-making. We have opened 206 sites, including 15 large-scale humanitarian relief centers, and are constantly searching for new places to provide asylum seekers with the shelter they are asking for. But let’s be clear: This situation demands a broader state and national solution.”

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Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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