By tf-lawyer.com During a recent press conference held by State Senator Koo Yi-wen at 2501 86th Street to present proposals aimed at limiting city subsidies for homeless shelters, dozens of protesters gathered to voice their opposition. Among the crowd, some participants carried posters they obtained on-site, while others crafted their own signs criticizing Koo’s policies and their perceived ineffectiveness. Attempts to disrupt the event included raising slogans and blowing whistles, which aimed to drown out the speaker’s remarks.
This protest against the construction of a homeless shelter on 86th Street has persisted for 98 days. On October 22, just after noon, demonstrators began assembling, expressing their support for Koo’s challenger, Chen Hsueh-li, by waving signs and beating drums in frustration against Koo’s legislative actions. Some attendees brandished noise makers and whistles, demanding Koo’s departure during the press conference. Law enforcement set up barriers to prevent the protesters from approaching the dais, but scuffles broke out amidst the crowd, fortunately resulting in no injuries. Protesters emphasized that their participation was spontaneous, with signage distributed by the organizers present, without any external instigation.
In response to the protests, Koo issued a statement accusing her opponent of mobilizing the crowd to undermine her press event, describing their actions as “immature and irresponsible.” She condemned Chen for using the community’s fears to further his political agenda, particularly by choosing the contentious 86th Street location to campaign without regard for public safety. Koo shared that she had previously invited Chen to co-sign a letter to Mayor Adams, but he declined, suggesting a lack of willingness on his part to address the underlying issues.
Li Zhibo, president of the Bay Park Avenue Chinese Chamber of Commerce, clarified that the purpose of the press conference was to announce a new proposal aimed at addressing corruption in partnerships between government and businesses. He expressed disappointment over the conflict, stating, “Regardless of the election outcomes, we do not wish to see our community divided.”
Chen Hsueh-li later refuted the claims that he orchestrated the protest, asserting that Koo is not well-regarded within the community. “Today, she witnessed the genuine sentiments of the residents,” he stated, affirming his ongoing support for protesters since the very first demonstration. Chen also questioned Koo’s commitment to addressing the issues surrounding the proposed homeless shelter, suggesting that she was merely campaigning for re-election while misleading the public.
Protester Mr. Li mentioned that local representatives including Assemblyman Cotton, City Councilor Zhuang Weng-yi, and Chen have consistently engaged with the community since the initial opposition to the shelter’s construction, while Koo has notably been absent, implying that her focus is more on her electoral image than on residents’ concerns. Another participant, Linda, who was distributing materials, clarified that a separate team had brought Chen’s posters and slogans to the site that morning, confirming they were not produced by the on-site team.
Ms. Zou, who has been involved with community members in monitoring the protest daily, expressed her desire for any elected official to resolve the shelter issue. Regarding the press conference itself, she remarked that the noise level was so high she could hardly hear the proposals being discussed. Koo’s office responded by stating that the content of the proposals will be communicated through WeChat and visits to local businesses to ensure public understanding of the initiative’s direction.
