Two hundred protestors rallied in lower Manhattan’s Rockefeller Park as they sought to keep up the pressure on Gov. Andrew Cuomo just days after the powerful and scandal-scarred state leader nixed his plans to pave over a portion of the green space for a coronavirus memorial.
The Battery Park City protest occurred as Community Board 1, which represents the area, scheduled a Wednesday meeting to discuss the monument.
One resident leading the fight against the original monument location, Adrian Mak, said that he expects the Cuomo-controlled Battery Park City Authority to present its plans for a new location for the COVID installation.
The Governor’s office was not able to immediately comment on if it or the BPCA would be sending representatives.
Battery Park City residents gathered in Rockefeller Park to protest Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plans for a COVID-19 memorial in the park on July 5, 2021. James Keivom for NY Post
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer speaking to the residents at Rockefeller Park on July 5, 2021. James Keivom for NY Post
People gathered near where the COVID-19 memorial was planned to be built. James Keivom for NY PostThe holiday-weekend back and forth occurred as dozens of Battery Park City residents gathered on the green space, which is bounded by the Hudson River and soaring apartment towers and office buildings.
“I’m fed up with this. They were about to roll over with their tractors. No warning, no announcement. Nothing,” said a fed up Karen Gerber, who lives in the state-controlled enclave in Lower Manhattan, at the protest.
A sign made by a child hanging in a tree at Rockefeller Park on July 5, 2021. James Keivom for NY Post
Rae Gyasi with her sons Oliver, 5, and Teddy, 5 months, at the COVID-19 memorial protest in Rockefeller Park on July 5, 2021. James KeivomMother-of-two Rae Gyasi joined the protest with her children, adorable five-year-old Oliver and his brother, five-month old Teddy.
“I wouldn’t really be able to play. If they cut down this part and that part of the park, it’s the part of the park where I play,” said Oliver, as he sat on a picnic blanket with his family. “I would have to play on smaller part of the grass and that’s for babies.”
