BROOKLYN, NY (JTA) – In the space of just 48 hours, Orthodox lawmakers in New York have gone from calling on the city’s mayor to open playgrounds, to threatening to open the parks themselves, to actually cutting the chains off a Brooklyn playground.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, City Councilman Kalman Yeger and State Sen. Simcha Felder joined local radio personality Heshy Tischler on Tuesday morning to cut the chains off a Brooklyn playground gate. The previous night, videos circulated on social media showing Tischler cutting the chains of a playground to cheers from a crowd of adults and children.
We stood together on Sunday and demanded @NYCMayor open our playgrounds. Apparently it landed on deaf ears.
This park does not belong to any particular official. This park belongs to our community.
Today we returned playgrounds to our children who desperately need them pic.twitter.com/TTkazMdpId
— Simcha Eichenstein (@SEichenstein) June 16, 2020
Jacob Kornbluh✔@jacobkornbluh
Happening now in Borough Park: Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and Councilman Kalman Yeger — along with activist Heshy Tischler — breaking into locked up Dome Park in message of defiance to @NYCMayor https://www.pscp.tv/w/cbd5szcyMzQ2OXwxdk9Hd2tucFhsVkdCyRQ4W-IlCpMC-oT8q1b5P3hTNirZzyngJ2ZeRCfjxVI= …
Jacob Kornbluh @jacobkornbluh
Happening now in Borough Park: Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and Councilman Kalman Yeger — along with activist Heshy Tischler — breaking into locked up Dome Park in message of defiance to @NYCMayor…
pscp.tv
Tuesday morning’s action was the latest in an evolving battle over the reopening of city playgrounds as Orthodox families face a long summer in crowded apartments without sleepaway camps for their children.
While New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has allowed local governments to open playgrounds as they see fit with the state moving toward reopening, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has declined to open them, citing his fears that playgrounds could serve as vectors of disease as the city battles the coronavirus pandemic.
By Tuesday morning, they did just that.
At his daily media briefing, de Blasio was asked about Monday evening’s chain cuttings.
“We’re not going to allow people to take the law into their own hands,” he said, though he was not asked and did not comment on the fact that elected officials had participated in the chain cutting themselves.
Speaking by phone later Tuesday morning, Yeger told JTA that police officers arrived on the scene after the chains were removed and asked who had cut them. He cautioned the group against answering the question. “I think there’s enough going on in this city to keep police officers busy than what’s going on in a park,” Yeger said. No arrests were made.
Several notable Republicans weighed in on Twitter Monday night with statements of support for Tischler and the protesters.
“Bravo,” Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted.
“Total double standard → New York’s mayor appears to be discriminating against Jewish funerals, schools, and playgrounds in enforcing his coronavirus shutdown,” Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the House minority leader, posted.
And this from Scott Walker, the former governor of Wisconsin: “I love it. Since it was a protest, it must be okay …”
Ted Cruz✔@tedcruz
Bravo. https://twitter.com/calebjhull/status/1272669507778207744 …
Caleb Hull✔@CalebJHull
Jews in NYC just cut the lock @NYCMayor put on their park
Hershy Tishler promises to "open up every single park in the entire city."#ParksAreOpen #NYC #nycprotests #DeBlasioMustGo pic.twitter.com/FLn9a4keOn
— Yaakov Pollak (@Yanky_Pollak) June 16, 2020
I stand with @NYSenatorFelder @SEichenstein & @KalmanYeger. Do it! https://t.co/XipJzPsFq3
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) June 15, 2020
I love it. Time to show the crazies that we had enough and we won’t take it any more . we will take the law in our own hands. And no its not gaonst dina dmlchusa when its cruel in nature. Plus when we have law amkers who support it , its not aginst a law(as a side note NYC is not a malchus)
We are being used by some republicans as a tool against democrats.
Why is it this past Sunday I was driving around different parts in new York city and I saw a bunch of parks open and full of kids?(Not in the Jewish area)There should be some website where I could post videos of those parks
They should declare each park “autonomous zones”, creating local ruling councils, etc.
I would condemn this but it’d de Blasio.
While I think at this point it perhaps makes sense to open the parks, going about it like this is a huge gamble that all those who say this epidemic is over are right. If you are wrong doubt these actions will reflect favorably on those out there supporting this.
“won’t allow people to take the law into their own hands”. Are you kidding Mr. Blahz. You have no tolerance for law abiding (white) citizens. If we broke into the park and stole the equipment he’d be ok with it.
Why won’t the City open Floyd Bennet Field??? It’s a National Park, not a City one. Where do they get the legal right to shut all 1000 acres to the public just to park a couple of MTA busses?
HESHY TISHLER 2024 FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!
SIMCHA FELDER FOR PRESIDENT 2028 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
For those who fear this is illegal pleases remember these are the people’s parks owned paid for by our tax dollars nit the property if the furor nyc mayor
If thousands can march riot loot and he dies nothing. Then he had no right to close parks in Jewish areas
When Jews realize that democrats take us for fools maybe we’ll learn and vote them out of office
As orthodox jews we have to be super conscious and aim to stay out of the limelight however much possible. Whatever we do is looked upon and scrutinized critically, generally in a negative light. Therefore when we take matters in our own hands it can cause a tremendous Chillul Hashem.
what an utter lie this headline is.
Ted Cruz didnt congratulate any Lawmaker he “barvoed” Heshy Tishler the day that he was on his own and NO local politicain was at his side.
they only came to the pie once he made national headlines and wanted a piece of it .
solid #fakenews
Ted Cruz makes the neeeeeeeeews !
VOTE REPUBLICAN !!!!!!!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!