Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - There was no indication Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was home Sunday morning when dozens of noisy and angry demonstrators converged in front of his home to protest COVID business closures.
Protesters were in their winter gear with snow falling as they gathered with signs, bullhorns, bells and horns. "USA, USA," was one of the noisy chants coming from the gathering that began at the intersection of Delaware and Delevan in North Buffalo before moving up Delaware Avenue and eventually concluding in from of Poloncarz' home.
Pete Harding helped organize the demonstration and began the gathering by standing on front of the gates to Forest Lawn Cemetery with a bullhorn and leading the gathering crowd in protest chants. Harding addressed reporters before the protest began to move and said he vehemently opposes the shutdowns being implemented in New York State.
Most of Harding's anger was directed toward Poloncarz for the business closures. When WBEN noted to Harding the closures are state mandated, Harding quickly added, "Make no mistake about it, we're against Cuomo as well." "Mark Poloncarz is the one directing and weaponizing the Department of Health against innocent business owners."
A large part of the protest consisted of a parade of sign-clad honking vehicles constantly moving up and down Delaware Avenue and surrounding side streets.
The Buffalo Police Department watched the demonstration closely and intervened on a few occasions in front of Poloncarz' home in asking protesters to leave the street and remain on the sidewalk. Traffic was never blocked and no incidents were reported as a result of the demonstration.
In another weekend protest, a large group of business owners gathered at a gym in Orchard Park Friday night to discuss the business closings. The Erie County Sheriff's Department and Erie County Health Department intervened and were challenged angrily by the group.
Related
