The excitement, energy and enthusiasm were electric on Sunday, October 19th, as more than 550 residents turned out to rally against the city’s controversial “bait-and-switch” plan on Coyle Street.
What began as a peaceful gathering at 2134 Coyle Street quickly surged into a full-blown march of community pride and defiance. Organized by “New Yorkers First” and “Save South Brooklyn,” the rally brought together residents, families and business owners determined to stop the city’s plan to convert a long-promised affordable housing site into a homeless shelter.
The crowd spilled onto Avenue U, shutting down traffic as marchers made their way from Coyle Street to Coney Island Avenue. Cheers, car horns and waving hands greeted them along the route as the rally turned into a spontaneous show of unity and a call to action ahead of early voting, which begins October 25th.
Leading the charge was Curtis Sliwa, candidate for New York City Mayor, who walked shoulder to shoulder with residents and his wife, Nancy. The couple were met with thunderous applause as they made their way through the neighborhood where Sliwa had stood with residents during the earliest days of the protest.
“This community was promised affordable housing for working families — not another shelter forced on them by City Hall,” Sliwa declared to roaring approval. “Day One as Mayor — no more homeless shelters in residential neighborhoods!”
The rally featured impassioned opening remarks from Ron Canterino of New Yorkers First, who fired up the crowd, urging them to “make some noise” and “stand strong.” Nancy Sliwa, introduced as the “next First Lady of New York City,” praised residents for their courage and resilience.
“Curtis made this a top priority because he truly cares about each and every one of you,” Nancy said. “His goal is improving — not moving. You are the last line between government overreach and community preservation. So, keep up the good fight — and get out and vote!”
Also in attendance was Athena Clarke, candidate for City Council in District 46, alongside other neighborhood advocates who have long opposed the city’s bait-and-switch of the Coyle Street project.
The protest underscored a deepening frustration across southern Brooklyn with what residents describe as top-down decisions made without local input. “Our voices matter,” one marcher said. “We were promised affordable housing. We’re not against helping people — we’re against being lied to.”
As the rally ended, the crowd erupted once more in chants of “Vote for Curtis!” and “No homeless shelter!” — their energy unbroken and their message clear: this community intends to be heard, both on the streets and at the ballot box.
As of press time, one of two mayoral debates already took place with Sliwa facing off with his opponents Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, whom he dubbed as the architect and the apprentice, respectively, of the current crime crisis, cashless bail and destruction of NYC.
