People carrying a large Canadian flag march on Brooklyn Bridge during an anti-vaccine mandate protest ahead of possible termination of New York City employees due to their vaccination status, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
SRDTF News
UPDATED 1:16 PM PT – Tuesday, February 8, 2022
New York City employees are facing termination this week if they don’t get vaccinated. On Monday, over 300 workers marched across the Brooklyn Bridge protesting the city’s vaccine mandate for municipal employees.
Protestors chanted “no medical tyranny” and “my body my choice…the vaccine you will not force” outside the fire department headquarters in Brooklyn. The large group then marched over the bridge to New York City Hall in Manhattan to continue protesting their right to freedom.
“Coercion is not consent”
Municipal workers chant as they walk towards the Brooklyn Bridge in protest against vaccine mandates… pic.twitter.com/LEIbsXjI85— LUKE2FREEDOM (@L2FTV) February 7, 2022
NYPD escorted the marchers as they carried a large American flag, stopping momentarily to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before continuing onward.
John Mooney, a city worker against the vaccination mandate, said he believes the government is trying to segregate the vaccinated from the unvaccinated. Meanwhile, Paul Schweit a New York firefighter, is at risk of losing his job for not getting the jab. Schweit says their freedom to make a choice for themselves should not be taken away.
Roughly 3,000 city employees have been without pay since November for failing to meet the vaccination deadline. This includes an additional 1,000 workers who were hired after the rule went into effect and also have not shown proof of vaccination.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears to be keeping his foot down on the mandate while insisting there is no ultimatum and employees had enough time to comply with the rules. He refused to take responsibility for the workers losing their jobs over his own mandate. Instead, he suggested the city isn’t firing anyone and it’s the employee’s decision on whether they are terminated or not.
Furthermore, as Canada’s Freedom Convoy protests continue, New Yorkers showed their supports for their Canadian neighbors by waving the country’s flag and carrying signs that mimicked sentiments to the truckers.