MANHATTAN, New York—What was initially a crowd of hundreds protesting against vaccine mandates and biased media had grown to thousands by 1 p.m. on Saturday in the heart of New York City.
On adjacent corners in Times Square, people of almost all ethnic backgrounds could be seen holding signs demanding “bodily autonomy” and a pro-choice stance with regard to COVID-19 vaccines and mandates, along with statements that suggested their views are being suppressed.
At the main rally site, “trap” music bounced off the buildings of Times Square. The lyrics expressed defiance against vaccine mandates and tyranny as the crowd grew at a pace of about a dozen people per minute. Some passersby scoffed while others looked intrigued.
“Let’s go Brandon!” was chanted, referencing a joke targeting President Joe Biden and legacy media.
The event, “NYC—Broadway Rally For Freedom,” featured a series of speeches, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
The event kicked off with a singer performing a rendition of the National Anthem as people held their hands over their hearts.
Another young lady playing an electroacoustic nylon guitar projected her mellow voice through the microphone, changing the mood into one of pensive hope. After delineating the current situation on vaccine mandates in her lyrics, she prayed to Jesus that people be helped.
Kennedy then took the microphone to claim that COVID-19 vaccines are causing harm to people, and stressed that children should not be given the jab.
“We have no business giving this to children, it’s unethical,” said Kennedy, who was not featured in the event flyer, as people cheered.