Andrew Yang Accused of Using Bike Ride for Daunte Wright as ‘PR Stunt’ in NYC
By Ryan General
New York mayoral candidate Andrew Yang was heckled by a crowd of protestors after he attempted to join a Black Lives Matter demonstration on Tuesday.
A group called “Riders for Black Lives” organized a bike ride and vigil in response to the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old unarmed Black man who was killed at the hands of Minneapolis police, reports Gothamist. About 150 cyclists attended at Barclays Center.
Yang, who had earned criticisms for his calls on more policing amid the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, faced an unwelcome crowd after he joined the protesters as they rode their bikes over the Brooklyn Bridge roadway. Yang was later seen at Battery Park surrounded by photographers and reporters at around 7:50 p.m., according to the New York Post.
A woman on a megaphone yelled out to Yang, “We don’t want you here. You’re pro-cop. Get out of here. Shame on you, Andrew Yang. Shame.”
Other demonstrators joined in berating the candidate, prompting him to leave the event.
Riders for Black Lives’ Kimberly Bernard accused Yang of using the event as “a PR stunt.”
“He rode in the back of the procession using the opportunity for a photo opportunity,” she told Gothamist. “Not once did he reach out to any of the leaders of the group, like other politicians have done in the past.”
Bernard further stated that they are open to conversations with lawmakers but expressed they refuse to be used for one’s political gain.
“We encouraged Andrew Yang, or any other politician truly committed to uplifting our community, to reach out to us and begin the conversation,” she said.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, another candidate in the mayoral race, also attended the start of the event outside Barclays Center in Brooklyn but did not join the bike ride.
Protesters rode their bikes through Manhattan, chanting “black lives matter” and “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now,” before congregating in Times Square.
Featured Image via (left) FreedomNews TV and (right) The Indypendent
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