NYC Firefighters Hold Large Protest Over Vaccine Mandate

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Throngs of firefighters and other city workers gathered outside Gracie Mansion Thursday morning to protest the vaccine mandate for city employees, which is set to take effect Friday.

The 11 a.m. protest was organized by FDNY unions, which urged members to gather at East 88th Street and East End Avenue. Several streets around Gracie Mansion were already closed to traffic Thursday morning in anticipation of the protest, an NYPD spokesperson said, though he was unable to say which streets were closed.

About 68 percent of FDNY employees are vaccinated, but 3,500 firefighters have not gotten the shot, a union leader told ABC7. If they do not show proof of vaccination by 5 p.m. Friday, they will be put on unpaid leave.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro has said that up to 20 percent of the city's firehouses could be shuttered next week once the mandate takes effect. The agency may resort to mandatory overtime and "mutual aid from other EMS providers" to cover the missing shifts, Nigro said.

Other city workers opposed to the vaccine mandate were expected to join the protest, which ABC reported may draw thousands of people. In a flier, organizers say they are "Not Anti Vax," but rather "fighting for a choice."

Republican Mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa also plans to attend, his campaign said.

Firefighters and paramedics have some of the lowest vaccination rates of any city workers. Agencies with the highest vaccination rates include the mayor's office, the Department of Education and Health + Hospitals.