Hundreds of Staten Island Residents Protest Migrant Shelter Hosted at Former Catholic School
Some 400 protesters gathered outside of a former Catholic school turned migrant shelter to angrily voice their opposition to how the facility is being utilized. According to the New York Post , the St. John Villa…
Some 400 protesters gathered outside of a former Catholic school turned migrant shelter to angrily voice their opposition to how the facility is being utilized.
According to the New York Post, the St. John Villa Academy was turned into a 300-bed shelter without neighbors being notified.
One of the organizers, John Tobacco, opened up about why everyone was so angry. He said, “The message is that here in Staten Island, we love immigrants.” He also noted that the Border crisis is affecting everyone.
“This is unsustainable,” he added.
Hundreds of residents came holding the American flag and signs that displayed their frustration. One giant banner displayed the message “NO F%*KIN WAY.”
Tobacco also noted, “I think people are fed up. We want answers from people that we voted for.”
GOP State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis described how the city hid the shelter. “I found out about this location when it was already out in the newspaper,” he said.
One resident stated, “It was done in a cloud of secrecy.”
Another noted, “I think they should come the same way my ancestors came through — Ellis Island.”
“Make them come the right way,” she added.