Crowds Chant 'F**k Joe Biden' as Teachers' Vaccine Mandate Takes Effect in New York

Anti-vaccine protesters marched in Brooklyn and Manhattan on Monday, October 4, as a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for New York City’s public school employees took effect.

The mandate, which was initially set to take effect on September 27, was upheld by the Supreme Court on October 1, according to New York City Commissioner of Health Dave Chokshi. The mandate is Mayor Bill de Blasio’s first attempt at requiring vaccination without a test-out option for city workers. The mandate stipulates that public school employees who do not get a COVID-19 vaccine will be placed on unpaid leave, with health insurance, for a year.

This footage, posted to Twitter by Brendan Gutenschwager, shows protesters chanting “F**k Joe Biden, and de Blasio” while carrying signs and waving Australian flags.

Later footage showed protesters gathered outside the Australian Consulate in Manhattan chanting support for Australia, where public servants took part in demonstrations against vaccine mandates in late September, according to local reports. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful