On July 23rd, tensions flared during a demonstration against the proposed homeless shelter at 2501 86th Street in Brooklyn, following previous large-scale protests. A homeless individual entered the protest encampment around noon, harassing Asian demonstrators and volunteers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident raised concerns among local residents about the potential safety risks posed by the shelter.
Witnesses recounted that around 12:30 PM, a male homeless person approached the intersection of 25th Street and 86th Street, asking demonstrators for lunches provided by local businesses. After being denied, he started rummaging through trash bags nearby for food. He then moved toward a voter registration booth, angrily tossing a plastic bag and some change onto the table, questioning volunteers about their anti-shelter stance. He quickly headed for the supply tent, attempting to grab bottled water from underneath the table.
Despite efforts by several elder volunteers to chase him away, he persisted. Eventually, a protester raised a wooden stick to help drive him off. After a few tense minutes, the homeless man took bottled water and coffee from the table and left the scene. It was noted that the volunteers he had approached were predominantly women, and one expressed her fears about the shelter exacerbating safety issues, stating that just one homeless person had already created a sense of unease.
Ms. Dai, one of the volunteers present at the event, described the demonstrators as typically peaceful, noting that they generally do not cause trouble and only express their opinions through action. However, she emphasized that police presence had been dwindling, which contributed to the lack of immediate assistance when the incident occurred. Ms. Dai also highlighted that the potential ramifications of the shelter had mobilized many previously politically apathetic residents, prompting them to register to vote as a means of voicing their concerns.
Mr. Li, another protester, pointed out that most attendees were community residents, including seniors, who felt frightened when approached by homeless individuals asking for food, especially when there was a sense of aggression. He remarked that this particular homeless man had appeared before, likely attracted by the free food and water provided by local businesses to the volunteers, and chose to return because it was easier to beg in front of vulnerable seniors.
