On Saturday, protesters gathered in front of the New York Times building, chanting “defund the media!” to protest vaccine mandates. Another protest also took place in Times Square.
Protesters were seen carrying American flags and signs that read “equal rights vaxxed unvaxxed”, “divided we fall”, and “medical freedom NOW”. Two popular phrases, “Let’s go Brandon” and “F**k Joe Biden”, were also used for signs and chants.
Since early August, New York City has required proof of vaccination to enter certain indoor businesses and has fined businesses that did not follow Mayor Bill de Blasio’s mandate.
In September, the city required teachers and other school staff to get vaccinated by a certain deadline. That mandate resulted in a huge protest across the Brooklyn Bridge with banners, flags, and chants.
Demonstrators were protesting the media’s coverage of both federal and city vaccine mandates.
Other protests in the city have broken out in the past few months, as well as demonstrations across the country.
A rally in Times Square occurred the same day with nearly 1,000 people protesting vaccines and mandates. They carried signs reading “Freedom Over Fear” and “De Blasio is the Virus”.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at the rally, claiming “the vaccine is not safe and effective”. “We have no business giving this to little children. It is unethical, it is medical malpractice,” he said.
