Residents of a Queens neighborhood in New York took to the streets to protest rampant illegal prostitution and crime while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., live-streamed a video game session with vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on Twitch. The area, known as a 'Red Light' district, has been described as having unsanitary and seedy conditions reminiscent of a 'Third World' country.
Organizers of the rally highlighted the urgent need for community cleanup, with signs reading 'children should not be exposed to prostitution' and 'save our community.' The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the criminal activity in the neighborhood and show support for 'Operation Restore Roosevelt,' a police crackdown initiative.
The rally, organized by local advocacy group Let’s Improve Roosevelt Ave. Coalition and former New York state senator Hiram Monserrate, brought together residents, merchants, clergy members, and local leaders. Monserrate criticized Ocasio-Cortez for gaming during the rally, emphasizing the importance of advocates over gamers in addressing community issues.
The operation, which involves deploying over 200 additional police officers, including state troopers, seeks to address the presence of sex workers and illegal vendors in the area. Demonstrators are calling for a permanent police presence to combat organized crime, drug rings, human traffickers, and other criminal elements operating along Roosevelt Avenue.
The neighborhood has been a battleground between law enforcement proponents and sex workers/illegal vendors, many of whom are migrants facing language barriers and limited job opportunities. While some argue that their activities are necessary for survival, others lament the deteriorating conditions in the once-familiar neighborhood.
The ongoing conflict underscores the complex social and economic challenges facing the community, with residents demanding sustainable solutions to restore safety and cleanliness to their streets.
