Dave Goldiner and Trevor Boyer
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — The police union and public housing tenants don’t agree on much. But one slogan unites them: No, no, de Blasio.
While Mayor Bill de Blasio was inside ABC News studio in Times Square announcing the launch of his longshot White House bid, protesters from both groups gathered outside to loudly express their opposition.
“If you can’t run the city, you can’t run the country,” the throng of about 150 people chanted as the mayor’s SUV pulled up on West 44th Street.
Members of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association decried what they called de Blasio’s stalling on a new contract and a proposal that they say would amount to a below-inflation raise and benefits deal.
“We’re gonna let the American people know what this mayor is really all about,” said John Puglisi, a PBA official. “He’s no friend of labor, and he’s a phony progressive.”
Police union boss Pat Lynch mocked de Blasio for falling behind Pete (Mayor Pete) Buttitieg, the once-unknown chief executive of little South Bend, Indiana.
“New York deserves better and the country deserves better,” Lynch said.
The tenants from took aim at Hizzoner for what they say is a broken promise to spend $400 million to build public housing for senior citizens.
“He claims to be a progressive, but what we’re seeing right now is regressive policies,” said Rev. David K. Brawley, pastor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church in East New York. “Either do the job, or give up the job. Step up, or step down.”
The protesters from both sides achieved their goal by getting valuable air time on national TV as de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane, spoke live with star anchorman George Stephanopoulos.
Through the glass that provides a Broadway backdrop for the Good Morning America studio, Stephanopoulos thumbed back toward the noisy crowd.
De Blasio sought to harness the drama for his pitch that he successfully runs the “biggest and toughest city in America.”
“They’re serenading me,” he said with a forced smile.
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