Anti-vaccine protesters tear down COVID-19 testing site in New York City

A group of people demonstrating against the coronavirus vaccine tore down a COVID-19 testing site in New York City during a protest Monday. 

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered to protest the coronavirus vaccine mandate for public school employees, according to a report from The Washington Post. 

According to a mandate issued by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), Monday marked the deadline for employees to receive at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine or be forced to accept unpaid leave.

Protesters marched in Brooklyn and Manhattan, chanting slogans through loud speakers such as “let us teach!” and “We the people will not comply,” according to the Post. 

The protesters tore down a COVID-19 testing site and confronted a worker at the site, according to the paper. However, police said that there were no mass arrests on Tuesday. 

De Blasio (D) on Monday said 95 percent of employees have complied with the vaccine mandate.

“Look, here’s my message to all of the mayors of America, here’s my message to all of the governors of America: Put these mandates in place. Put these incentives in place,” he said. “They work. Do it now. Save lives and ultimately save this country from a longer crisis that could hold us down for months or even years.”

Vaccine mandates have been put in place all around the country in businesses and schools, and President Biden announced a new rule last month to be issued through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that would require all businesses with 100 employees or more to mandate vaccines or frequent testing. 

New York City also has some of the strictest mitigation measures — people have to present a COVID-19 vaccination card to enter restaurants. 

Despite protests against the mandates, many companies implemented them after the Pfizer vaccine was fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration. 

The Hill has reached out to the NYPD for comment.