Introduction to the Protests
Protesters rallied outside of Sen. Chuck Schumer’s Brooklyn residence early Friday morning fueled by growing outrage with the Democrats’ tepid opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda of slashing federal jobs and critical services as the government faces the possibility of a shutdown at midnight.
Background of the Protests
Organizers planned the demonstration quickly over a text thread on Thursday evening after the Senate minority leader abruptly announced he would vote to keep the government running. The move paves the way for the Republican-controlled Senate to approve a spending bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, effectively torpedoing his own party’s attempts at a filibuster. Schumer had been vocally opposed to the measure as recently as Wednesday.
The GOP-Backed Legislation
The GOP-backed legislation includes billions of dollars in cuts across federal agencies and an increase in defense spending. The budgetary moves would compound weeks of turmoil in which thousands of federal workers have been fired, and billions of dollars in funding for foreign aid, public health research and education services have been slashed under Trump and his special advisor, Elon Musk.
Protesters’ Demands
Schumer’s about-face will allow the Republican agenda to move forward with little resistance at a time when constituents are impatient for more opposition, said protesters. The crowd of a hundred people broke into repeated chants of “vote no or go.” One protester held a sign that said “Fight for us!” Another said simply, “Someone please do something.”
Organizer’s Statement
“We’ve been told for months that the Democrats are going to hold their fire until they have leverage and then to surrender that leverage — the only one that exists — feels like a real betrayal to his constituency and the country, ” said Shay O’Reilly, 35, an organizer who helped plan the event.
Event Sponsors
The event was co-sponsored by the advocacy groups Indivisible and Food and Water Watch.
Sen. Schumer’s Office Response
Sen. Schumer’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
Protesters’ Frustration
“Everyone is screaming from the rooftops to ask the Democrats to actually be an opposition party and they just refuse to do it,” said Carey Tan, 39 who held a whiteboard sign where she had scrawled in red dry erase marker “It’s a coup, get a clue!”
Protester’s Experience
Tan said she attended the morning protest after growing frustrated with not being able to get through to her Senators after making dozens of calls over the last few days.
Severity of the Situation
“I’m horrified watching this coup happen in real time and so few of our so-called leaders are acknowledging the severity of it,” said Tan. “They seem to have no self-preservation instincts, let alone an instinct to protect all of us.”
The People’s Microphone
Speakers addressed the crowd with a few words at a time which the crowd echoed back in unison, so the entire crowd could hear. The tool is known as the “people’s microphone,” and circumvents the need for sound amplifying devices like megaphones which require permits.
Environmental Advocate’s Statement
“It’s up to Chuck, whose salary we pay, so he can live in this exceptionally expensive building to actually work for us,” said Jessica Roth, an environmental advocate, while pointing to Schumer’s apartment building on Prospect Park West. “It’s our lives he’s supposed to be protecting.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer speaks at the State of the Bronx address, Feb. 21, 2019. Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
Schumer’s Argument
Since Thursday, Schumer has been arguing that a shutdown would be a worse outcome.
Schumer’s Statement
“The Republican bill is a terrible option,” he said on the Senate floor, “but I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Statement
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens/Bronx) called Schumer’s decision “a terrible mistake” during an appearance on CNN Thursday, while pointedly avoiding saying whether she’d primary Schumer in 2028.
Protesters’ Unsatisfaction
Protesters in Brooklyn were also unsatisfied with his explanation. “Not whipping the whole caucus to vote no, in the face of everything that Trump and Musk are doing is just insane,” said one woman who asked not to be named for privacy.
Conclusion
The protests outside Sen. Chuck Schumer’s Brooklyn home demonstrate the growing anger and frustration among constituents with the Democrats’ lack of opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda. The protesters demand that Schumer and the Democrats take a stronger stance against the Republican-backed legislation and work to protect the interests of the people.
FAQs
Q: What was the reason for the protests outside Sen. Chuck Schumer’s Brooklyn home?
A: The protests were held in response to Sen. Schumer’s decision to vote to keep the government running, which would allow the Republican agenda to move forward with little resistance.
Q: What are the protesters demanding?
A: The protesters are demanding that Sen. Schumer and the Democrats take a stronger stance against the Republican-backed legislation and work to protect the interests of the people.
Q: What is the Republican-backed legislation?
A: The legislation includes billions of dollars in cuts across federal agencies and an increase in defense spending.
Q: How did Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez respond to Sen. Schumer’s decision?
A: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez called Sen. Schumer’s decision "a terrible mistake" during an appearance on CNN Thursday.
