As Twitchy reported, a maskless New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and MSNBC’s Al Sharpton “liberated” Fifth Avenue in front of Trump Tower by helping paint a giant Black Lives Matter mural on the street, though we don’t think he’s going to turn that stretch of road into a pedestrian walkway to preserve the artwork.
We’ve already heard de Blasio “explain” how Black Lives Matter protests and religious gatherings are “apples and oranges,” and now he’s telling CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that now is just not the time for large gatherings like parades and outdoor concerts — but if you feel you have to go out and join a Black Lives Matter protest, that’s super.
.@NYCMayor Bill de Blasio tells Wolf Blitzer that he is banning all large gatherings in New York City except for Black Lives Matter protests.
Wolf Blitzer follows up by asking about the U.S. Open. pic.twitter.com/KGsnAdXDhK
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 9, 2020
That crew he had around him to paint Fifth Avenue looked like a pretty large gathering to us, but if it were a Jewish funeral he’d have called the cops himself.
Ass
— DSNicol ?? (@Dsnicol2) July 9, 2020
In that case, nothing is banned.
— Robert Faulhaber (@rfaulhaber) July 9, 2020
And people wonder what caused the spike in cases ??♂️??♂️??♂️
— Matt Vespa (@mVespa1) July 9, 2020
People in red states celebrating Memorial Day, obviously.
You voted for this clown NY. Reap it.
— Fonzi (@DrunkJedi1) July 10, 2020
Worst mayor of all time. Where are you New Yorkers?
— Craig (@ahs6482) July 9, 2020
New Yorkers should defy him and the police should arrest him.
— John Zmirak (@JZmirak) July 9, 2020
@NYCMayor should stop mixing Bourbon with Xanax
— Zachary Ross (@Minusthewaste) July 9, 2020
An argument can be made that de Blasio wants black people to die from the virus.
— M3thods (@M2Madness) July 9, 2020
That argument actually was made by the founder of the New York Times’ 1619 Project when “domestic terrorists” “stormed the capitol” in Michigan to protest the lockdown; they were white supremacists trying to kill blacks with the coronavirus.
Are Covid cases still spiking because of outdoor restaurants and church services or from idiot mayors with arbitrary rules? It’s either a health and safety issue or it’s not.
— @MdwChi (@MidwayChi) July 9, 2020
This is blatant discrimination.
— Samantha Jones (@Samantha_J9) July 9, 2020
Don't New Yorkers know this guy destroyed their city? Oh wait, that's right, they don't. The ones who did realize left and aren't New Yorkers anymore. The ones who stayed will probably re-elect him.
— Matt (@MattMoranNJ) July 9, 2020
No parades or fairs or outdoor concerts, but protests are allowed. How can he get away with this crap?
— RLC (@RLC19802020) July 9, 2020
Serious question. So does that mean an anti-abortion protest can take place, or is that not a “serious issue” that the mayor would allow?
— Stephen Wilcox (@stephengwilcox) July 9, 2020
Every single American regardless of party should be speaking out against the government deciding which forms of free speech are permitted and which will result in the police ticketing or arresting you.
— Caroline Madden, PhD (@cmaddenmft) July 9, 2020
Bill, saying that BLM protests are okay, but other gatherings are prohibited sounds like censorship to me. This type of speech/assembly is okay, but that kind isn't. That BLM gatherings are okay, but religious gatherings aren't. First Amendment violations.
— David (@808to818) July 9, 2020
This is blatantly unconstitutional.
— Jason (@EmperorJayLay7) July 9, 2020
This is the ultimate outrage.
— Don Brennan (@DonB1957) July 9, 2020
Someone in New York get a lawsuit going. This is discrimination just like his attacks against jews.
This guy does not belong in a position of power.
— ?? Survivor of 2020 TP shortage (@ChadGar40522734) July 9, 2020
Coronavirus is a deadly contagion at all funerals, prayer services and schools, but it has no effect on people marching on Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th Street in Manhattan.
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) July 9, 2020
Solid follow up by @wolfblitzer
— Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) July 9, 2020
✅ Egregiously unconstitutional
✅ Rank disregard for process
✅ New YorkThe math checks out.
— Jacques Purcell for Kanye 2020 (@JacquesPurcell1) July 9, 2020
I’m sure my elderly patients appreciate your carve out exceptions that make social distancing impossible. In my opinion You may indirectly be responsible for thousands of deaths Mr Mayor. Great leadership.
— Dr. John Crescitelli (@JohnCrescitelli) July 9, 2020
The Controlus virus is truly brilliant! Simply won't infect or spread at Marxist gatherings. Amazing! But otherwise deadly & requiring suspension of free assembly & economic shutdown. So sciency. #itsnotaboutavirus
— beyondanonda (@EJ520) July 9, 2020
No parades but yes protests?
Shall we expect a 2020 @Macys Thanksgiving Day Protest?
— SoComplex (@Iam24747867437) July 9, 2020
Call it a protest against the treatment of Native Americans by the settlers and you’re good to go.
I can’t wait until the lawsuits start coming in. No elected offical has the power to suspend First Amendment Rights for some while protecting the rights others. It’s an all or nothing proposition. The 14th Amendment ensures it.
— Dominic Lucero (@TheDomLucero) July 9, 2020
Related:
‘Fascinatingly ineffective’: Rep. Lee Zeldin questions Bill de Blasio’s strategy of ‘trolling’ Trump while also asking the president for a $7.4 billion bailout https://t.co/vMO44hYLv8
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 9, 2020