Hundreds Protest COVID Vaccine Mandates Outside New York City Hall
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- More than 1,000 people protested the mayor's COVID vaccine mandates outside City Hall on Wednesday.
The rally came just two days after the city announced a new rule requiring all school staff to be vaccinated with no option for testing.
Now, the city's largest police union is threatening to sue if the mandate expands to officers.
With signs in hand, more than 1,000 people protested mandatory vaccinations outside City Hall Park on Wednesday.
Among them were city employees, MTA train operators and parents.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
- Vaccination Sites In New York City | Call 877-VAX-4NYC
- Track NYC Vaccinations By Zip Code
- Find NYC Testing Site Near You
- Check NYC Testing Wait Times
- CDC'S COVID Vaccine FAQ
- CDC's COVID Tracking Map By County
- Resources: Help With Unemployment, Hunger, Mental Health & More
- Remote Learning Tools For Students And Parents At Home
- Complete Coronavirus Coverage
"They're using us as lab rats," city employee Kim Williams, of Queens, said.
"I'm not taking the vaccine," MTA train operator Evangaline Byars said.
"We don't have the long-term side effects or risks yet," one parent said.
Mom and school teacher Katherine Class, of Brooklyn, is standing up for what she believes is right in a big way.
She told CBS2's Cory James she quit her job days ago because she refuses to be forced into getting the vaccine.
"It wasn't safe for me to be in a situation where I'm being mandated to put an injection in my body," she said. "And I also have two daughters, and I don't want them to be wearing masks all day in school."
Nationwide, cases of the virus in children have surged over the last month, going from around 38,000 at the end of July to more than 180,000 last week.
In New York City, officials report 96.9% of COVID hospitalizations are people who are not vaccinated.
Other New Yorkers think these details are important to remember.
"If everyone gets vaccinated, we recover faster," said Iftakar Sabit, of Brooklyn.
"I believe in science, so I feel good about it," Staten Island resident Yola Citozi said.
COVID VACCINE
- New York State book online here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX
- New York City book online here or call 877-VAX-4NYC
- Track NYC vaccinations by zip code
- Nassau County more info here
- Suffolk County more info here
- Westchester County more info here
- New Jersey book online here or call 1-855-568-0545
- Connecticut book online here
If the city expands mandates, it can expect a fight.
The NYPD's Police Benevolent Association is vowing to sue if officers are required to get the shot, saying in part it will "defend our members' right to make such personal medical decisions."
At this time, the city has not stated whether it will require police officers and law enforcement members to get the vaccine.
Meanwhile, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said Tuesday he supports a vaccine mandate for his members.
