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Fox News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
'Not welcome here': Staten Island activist arrested after confronting NYC mayoral candidate
Activist Scott Lo Baido was arrested outside New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's anti-Trump event on Staten Island on Wednesday. A viral social media video revealed that Lo Baido told Mamdani, "This is my f---ing island, you are not welcome here," as he was physically held back while approaching the candidate after the event at Istanbul Bay Authentic Mediterranean Restaurant on Staten Island. Lo Baido shouted profanities at Mamdani, telling the candidate that he hates Jews, cops and America. The protester, who shouted into a megaphone during the opening remarks of Mamdani's event, was later arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD). In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Friday morning, Lo Baido confirmed his arrest and said, "I suggest that somebody in every single borough every time this man shows his face to do what I did the other day." Lo Baido told his followers on X that he received three summonses upon arrest for sound without permit, disorderly conduct and foul language. "Go back to where you came from. We don't want you on Staten Island," a protester wearing a "Trump girl" T-shirt and holding an American flag shouted at the 33-year-old self-described socialist as he exited the backdoor of the restaurant. Inside the event, as Mamdani kicked off his third anti-Trump event of the week, protesters outside the restaurant drowned out the introductory speeches with their cowbells, sirens and megaphones. Despite the heat in the crowded restaurant and his detractors outside, Mamdani maintained a smile throughout the event and told reporters, "It saddens me to hear language of being told to go back to where I came from, and yet, it is not surprising because it is so much of what characterizes President Trump's politics." Mamdani was hosting his third "Five Boroughs Against Trump" event of the week on Wednesday, reaffirming his commitment to protecting New Yorkers from Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration if he's elected mayor of New York City this November. "I will not let it dissuade me from continuing to come to Staten Island, from continuing to speak to New Yorkers, no matter where they live, no matter what politics they have," Mamdani said in response to the protesters. "Because I know that just as there are Republicans who feel that way, there are others who are sincere in their questions." Several protesters outside the restaurant told Fox News Digital that they planned to vote for Curtis Sliwa, CEO of the Guardian Angels, this November. "He's the only one that could save our city," Ed, a Staten Islander carrying a large American flag, said. Ed told Fox News Digital that he wanted to give Mamdani "a little surprise party" and let the socialist candidate know that his values do not represent those of Staten Island. "This is Trump country," said Manny, another protester and Wall Street retiree who said Mamdani's policies are "anti-Wall Street." Trump won Staten Island by 30 points in the 2024 presidential election, according to The New York Times' data. Meanwhile, in neighboring Brooklyn, former Vice President Kamala Harris carried the borough by 44 points. Tommy Banks, a native Staten Islander, said his message to Mamdani on Wednesday was simple. "Get out of town." "He wants to make everything free. He can't afford that. He's a socialist. He don't live that. We're not socialist," Banks said. Banks agreed with the other protesters outside the restaurant, telling Fox News Digital that "nobody else" could be mayor but Sliwa. "He's a true New Yorker. He's been fighting for New York all his life. Give him a chance to get in there," Banks said. Another protester, Liz, shouted, "Mamdani's a commie!" as the Democratic nominee departed in his SUV. Liz said she doesn't like Mamdani because "he's not a Democrat, he's a communist." She said Mamdani is trying to tempt New Yorkers with campaign promises like free childcare, free bus fare and government-run grocery stores, but Liz said it would be a "disaster" if he became mayor. When Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, called Mamdani a "snake-oil salesman" who would "say and do anything to get elected." Trump has often criticized Mamdani and his policies, calling him a "100% communist lunatic." Staten Islanders who spoke to Fox News Digital outside Mamdani's anti-Trump event on Wednesday seemed to agree with those sentiments, calling him a "commie" and criticizing his policies, which include freezing the rent, raising corporate taxes and increasing the minimum wage. However, Shahana Masum, who sported a "Zohran for Staten Island" sticker on her purse and attended the event, told Fox News Digital that Mamdani is the person who is representing "me and my community." Masum said she has also been told to go back to her country. To that, she said, "You didn't go back to your country, and I came here with dignity and with my visa, so don't tell me to leave."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mamdani takes aim at Trump's immigration policies in fiery Staten Island speech: 'We are fighting to keep NYC a sanctuary city'
New York City's Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, brought his anti-Trump campaign swing to Staten Island on Wednesday, blasting President Donald Trump's signature immigration reform agenda. Trump was once again front-and-center in the race for Gracie Mansion on Wednesday as Mamdani continued his "Five Boroughs Against Trump" tour at the Istanbul Bay Authentic Mediterranean Restaurant on Staten Island. "As we gather here on an island, where nearly 1 in 4 were born outside of this country, an island where 30% of its residents speak a language other than English, it's an island that we know is not immune from this horrific crackdown. We are seeing from the Trump administration. We are seeing it and feeling it," Mamdani said. "And we know that it has nothing to do with safety. It has to do with punishment." While Trump campaigned for president last year on securing the border and deporting illegal immigrants, Mamdani is campaigning for mayor this year on protecting New York immigrant communities amid Trump's deportation rollout. Joined by Staten Island District Staten Island District Leader, Jasmine Robinson, Immigration Rights Activist, Yesenia Matas, and President of the Staten Island Democratic Association, Ali Ansari, Mamdani focused Wednesday's event on Trump's "horrific attacks on New York City's immigrant communities" in which he continues to "rip New Yorkers off the street without due process." Mamdani Zings Cuomo In Rent-stabilized Housing Spat During Anti-trump Tour Stop Read On The Fox News App "It is not enough to fight against authoritarianism. What are you also fighting for? We are fighting to keep this city a sanctuary city," he said. Mamdani said earlier this month that New York City and the United States are facing a "dark moment." He then called the Trump administration an "authoritarian government" and slammed ICE for "abduct[ing]" immigrants." According to Mamdani's campaign website, he is committed to "Trump-proofing NYC," by removing ICE from "all City facilities" and strengthening sanctuary city laws. Zohran Mamdani Launches Anti-trump Tour Across Five Boroughs In New York City Resistance to Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration dominated headlines during New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, in which Mamdani handily won in June. Primary contender and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander—whom Mamdani cross-endorsed and campaigned with in the primary—was arrested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in June after being accused of assaulting a federal officer as he tried to escort a migrant from their federal immigration court hearing. While Lander ultimately faced no charges, the incident catapulted Trump's illegal immigration crackdown onto the New York City campaign trail. After being detained for several hours, Lander joined fellow primary candidates outside 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration facility in Manhattan, as Mamdani called the incident "fascism." It was one such instance of elected officials being detained by federal immigration officials as they protested Trump's deportations, including Newark mayor Ras Baraka in neighboring New Jersey. Sen. Alex Padilla of California was also forcibly removed and handcuffed by federal agents earlier this year when he shouted questions about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference. Protests rejecting ICE have erupted across the country this year, particularly in Los Angeles, where protests delved into riots, leading Trump to authorize the National Guard without Gov. Gavin Newsom's request – the first time in 60 years. During incumbent Mayor Eric Adams' tenure, New York City became an epicenter of the migrant crisis as President Joe Biden's administration lifted COVID-era Title 42 expulsions and Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, began sending busloads of migrants to New York City from his border state. As the situation unfolded, Adams began speaking out against Biden's immigration policies, calling New York City's migrant crisis a state of emergency. When Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary, he described his vision for New York City's future as a place "where the mayor will use their power to reject Donald Trump's fascism, to stop mass ICE agents from deporting our neighbors and to govern our city as a model for the Democratic Party." Meanwhile, Adams built a reputation during his tenure for challenging Biden's immigration policies while vowing to coordinate with Trump's illegal immigration crackdown, including working alongside Trump's border czar, Tom Homan. Adams has also cozied up to Trump since he was elected in November, visiting both Mar-a-Lago and the White House. Trump's Justice Department dropped bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges against Adams earlier this year. Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., weighed removing Adams from office following a slew of City Hall resignations after Adams' case was dropped. Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo are both running as independent candidates in New York City's mayoral race, and Curtis Sliwa is the Republican nominee. The election is on Nov. 4. Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report. Original article source: Mamdani takes aim at Trump's immigration policies in fiery Staten Island speech: 'We are fighting to keep NYC a sanctuary city' Solve the daily Crossword
