Crowd Boos Zeldin Outside Event; Guests Say Protest Was 'Disgusting, Uncalled For — And A Waste Of Taxpayer Money"

PECONIC, NY — Waving signs and shouting "Shame on you!" protestors stood outside Osprey's Dominion winery on Main Road in Peconic Thursday night, voicing their opposition to Rep. Lee Zeldin, who was being honored at an event inside.

The event was hosted by the Southold Town GOP and protestors yelled "boo" at guests entering the winery.

Many voiced a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the congressman, whom they said has supported President Donald Trump, refused to take a stand on critical issues such as the Charleston violence, and has become known as "TVLee," who doesn't represent his constituency when interviewed on televised broadcasts.

Others, however, felt the protestors were out of line for standing outside at the event, meant to honor the congressman, who has spent recent days delivering meals to seniors and touring an oyster farm in Greenport to promote the North Fork's economic growth — as well as working hard for Southold Town and its residents.

Joan Dinizio said she and her husband, Southold Town Councilman James Dinizio, attended the event honoring Zeldin.

"I was astounded that there were a bunch of protesters lined along the Main Road booing, yelling 'Shame on you' and 'Dump Zeldin and Trump'. It was disgusting, uncalled for, unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money as Southold Town had to send four patrol cars there," Joan Dinizio said. "Just because he's a public figure does not give people the right to harass him and his supporters wherever he goes. He most assuredly has my support."

Debbie Starker of Mount Sinai, a retired probation officer, said she and another colleague were onhand as members of law enforcement protesting Zeldin.

She was outraged over Zeldin's recent statements regarding the Charlottesville violence; some have created a petition asking that Zeldin be removed from the Holocaust Memorial Council in the days since.

"Lee Zeldin is a fake Jew, he's an embarrassment to all Jews," she said, adding that anyone who could support President Donald Trump or not express outrage over white supremacists or "Nazis" is "not a Jew," Starker said.

The petition maintains that Zeldin's "tepid statement about the domestic terrorism that took place in Charlottesville this weekend failed to call out Nazi and white nationalist movements. His statement, echoing remarks by the president, effectively puts Nazis and those opposing Nazis on equal footing, calling them both 'extremes that try to tear us all apart.'"

When asked for comment about that issue in a previous post, Zeldin's office issued a statement: "Congressman Zeldin has stated, 'Anyone associating themselves with the KKK and Nazism is associating themselves with hatred, bigotry, racism, intolerance and a tremendously inhumane past filled with horrible evil.' He has also said, 'Their violent acts inspired by deep hatred are disgusting, un-American, and unwelcome in our great nation.' One would have to question the true intentions of a person who would want to target Congressman Zeldin for being soft on this topic."

Patricia Callon attended, who lives in Manorville, attended the protest with other members of the East End Action Network. "I'm here to protest Lee Zeldin" because of his stance on issue and his statements after Charlottesville, she said, adding that members of her group will not stop until he is replaced. "We are determined," she said.

In a statement issued by his office, Zeldin responded, "It is unfortunate that some people have pledged to resist, oppose and obstruct everything and anything."

Eileen Duffy, of Quogue, a member of the Let's Visit Lee Zeldin Facebook group, which has organized many Zeldin protests, said she wanted to thank Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley and the Southold police department for accommodating the group, and helping with issues such as parking and traffic safety. "He was very cognizant of our First Amendment rights," she said.

Southold GOP Chairman Peter McGreevy, when asked for comment, said, "We welcome the 30 or so out of town protesters who came to Southold, exercised their right to protest, and then left our town, all within the scope of one hour. I hope they had a safe ride back to whatever other towns they came from. They were outnumbered three to one by actual Southold residents who came to support Congressman Zeldin and the Southold Republican Party."

He added, "Their reason for protesting today, was different from their reason for protesting yesterday, and will be different from their reason for protesting tomorrow, which is why their message fails to gain any traction."

Congressman Zeldin attends the GOP's Osprey's Dominion event annually, "and it's always a great success. Ironically, once we told our supporters that protesters were coming, more people signed up and paid to attend, so I have to thank the protesters for adding to our campaign fund," McGreevy added.

For months, residents have been demanding Zeldin host a live Town Hall meeting; he has hosted a number of telephone Town Halls and numerous mobile office hours.

Sag Harbor's Bob Wilson said he was compelled to speak out. "What Lee Zeldin's doing is not okay. He refused to say anything about Trump's racist remarks." The Trump administration, he added, is "turning the MS-13 issue into an anti-immigration issue."

And, added Dennis Tuohy of Mastic, "I'm here because I'm fed up with being represented by someone who doesn't represent me at all."

But McGreevy said the congressman most definitely represents his constituents: "Congressman Zeldin won the election and reelection by overwhelming majorities, and therefore, to say he does not represent the voters in this district is nonsensical. He won two elections, the other candidates lost, and no amount of protesting will erase or change that. Lee has done more for the people of Southold in the last three years than his predecessor ever did in 12, and Southold residents realize that."