PINCH ME! Pro NYPD Rallies in NYC!
Sometimes the universe takes us to where we need to be. What follows is the story of how I went from getting a ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwich, to standing outside in the freezing cold with a bunch of like minded patriots!
The day began like any other. I was up, browsing, watching videos, doing some writing, when the hunger struck. I threw on my usual “going downstairs” shirt and pants, and took a walk to the Korean deli. I ordered my sandwich, then realized that I did not have any cash. This is not a problem. The deli has an ATM. Well, not today it doesn’t, “Out of order.” I informed the staff that I had to take a walk to get some cash and would return momentarily.
I walked out of the store and took the stroll down Queens Boulevard towards my next quick cash location, McDonald’s. However, a very rare and intriguing site caught my attention as I walked on the Boulevard. Way on the other side I saw the American Flag. Shocked, I looked around, and I saw many American flags. That’s not all, I saw a hint of yellow, could it be? Yellow flags, a recoiled snake, what is this? A Gadsden flag in Queens, in New York City? At this point, like any good patriot would have, you know that I was already walking towards this congregation of people. As I got closer and closer, I started to see Veteran’s Flags, POW MIA flags, and dozens of veterans standing there. Now that I was even closer I could hear the speaker, I could see the signs.
Ladies and gentlemen, I just inadvertently stumbled into a pro NYPD rally, right across the street from where I live! How did I, a political columnist and talk show host, not know about this? HELLO!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_zVnq77crLE
There is no question that the sandwich would have to wait now! I stood out there with my fellow patriots for the next hour, listening to speaker after speaker going in on Mayor Deblasio. We were all rooting for, and shouting out support for, our NYPD officers, and though I was freezing, I felt great! The pride that I felt standing there at this rally in my own neighborhood was immeasurable. This is extremely rare. You never see anything remotely conservative in this neck of the woods. We are absolutely a despised minority here, there is no question about that.
For instance, I just confirmed that in New Rochelle, the city actually won a court case that was filed against them by a Veteran’s organization who wanted to fly the Gadsden flag at an armory, not as a political symbol, but for its historical meaning. The city received complaints that the flag was a Tea Party symbol, and they took the flag down. The Veterans challenged that notion and said the flag was a historical military symbol. This action taken by the City of New Rochelle is shameful, and typical of New York State. I expressed my discontent in the city of New Rochelle on their twitter channel, and through voice messages. I encourage you to do the same!
All that being said, I am glad that Retired NYPD Captain, and former Mayor Giuliani adviser; Joseph Concannon has made it his business to organize and hold these pro NYPD rallies. I heard several individuals speak, including Queens Councilman Eric Ulrich, one of the three Republicans in a vast sea of Democrats. He stated that the silent majority of New York City is not laying down, and playing dead on the ground. The silent majority is not bashing and attacking the NYPD. The silent majority is thankful for, and supports the men and women who put their lives on the line every single day to keep NYC one of the safest big cities in the world!
During the event, I also saw Fox News contributors, representatives from the PBA, and several other folks whose names and affiliations I am not familiar with. The consensus here was that we all support our NYPD, and though the event was billed as a non-partisan event, the majority of folks were conservatives. That was apparent by the banners, flags, and overall feeling in the group. Isn’t it a shame that it is a “conservative thing” to support the people who keep us safe? Isn’t it a shame that because we support our veterans, and the NYPD, we are viewed as extremist, domestic, Tea Party terrorists? All the while with a President in office who refuses to say the words “Islamic extremist”?
Overall, we didn’t experience any trouble, though a few punks that were probably on their way to court for some form of criminal activity did curse at us. Guys like that are angry at the NYPD because, well, they do their job. You know, catching criminals? Obviously, criminals will not approve of this type of event supporting the people who took them down.
The next pro NYPD rally will be held at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street. It will begin at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 20th. If you happen to be in the city, and you are available, we can use all the support that we can get. I have requested for information about speaking at the event, but whether or not I will be invited to share remains to be seen. Regardless I will be there supporting our officers. Will you?
