Staten Island Residents Rally Against Church-Based Migrant Shelter

On the evening of Tuesday, July 2nd, a group of residents gathered in Port Richmond, Staten Island, to voice their opposition to the city and Faith United Methodist Church’s conversion of a church basement into temporary housing for migrants. 

The rally, held across from Faith United Methodist Church, drew several dozen protesters and a smaller group of counter-demonstrators.

The event featured various speakers, including artist Scott LoBaido and Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, addressing a crowd waving American flags and holding signs. 

Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and former mayoral candidate, also participated in the rally.

LoBaido, addressing the crowd, said, “Fifteen unvetted young men, full of testosterone, into a neighborhood like this, or like St. John’s Villa, or anywhere in a community like this. There are other places for them to go besides home, and come back to their system, and be welcomed with open arms, once you are vetted, and checked, and documented.”

LoBaido rhetorically asked if the opposition would welcome migrants at their own homes.

Last month, the city’s announcement of plans to use a Staten Island church as a shelter for migrants sparked outrage. 

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella labeled the decision as one that would “hurt this community and the people.” 

He also informed the media that he was unaware of the city’s decision.

Assemblyman Pirozzolo said, “I just want to address the Jesus factor. Jesus made the blind see. He made the lame walk. He fed thousands with very little. Never during all of his caring for mankind did he ever say – Hey, I want $140 a night. So, the argument of any church or religious group saying they are doing the – holy thing – just doesn’t pass the honesty threshold in my opinion. In addition, it was disgraceful to see counter-protesters staring on the church steps screaming fu_k you, you’re a racist. And flipping the middle finger standing on the church steps.”

At the Tuesday gathering, Sliwa stated that the administration has already spent over $4 million to house migrants in the city.

“I’ve been arrested to stop this outrage, to stop this chaos,” Sliwa declared.

Sliwa urged Mayor Adams to publicly explain the decision to house migrants in a church at the forthcoming annual 4th of July Parade in Travis, challenging him to address community concerns directly at this significant local event.

Across the street, a smaller, vocal group of counter-protesters gathered on the church steps, attempting to disrupt the proceedings with chants like “We’ve got to fight back” and “You’re a racist.” 

The rally speakers countered with their own chants of “shame on you” and “U.S.A.”

Police maintained a large presence, keeping the opposing groups separated.