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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAndrew Yang comes to aid of photographer attacked on Staten Island Ferry
Link to tweet
Yang was traveling on the 11 a.m. boat from Manhattan to Staten Island for a tour of the borough, accompanied by his press staff and a few members of the media, including Getty photographer Spencer Platt.
When a ferry passenger carrying what appeared to be a metal pole approached the photographer, shoved him, and threateningly raised the implement, Yang sprang into action.
I think most people would have the same impulse I had, Yang said of the incident. To try and do anything that you can to protect somebody who might be threatened or endangered.
The man recognized Yang, who engaged and calmed him, speaking with him briefly and allowing the photographer to get away from the tense situation...
https://www.silive.com/nycmayor/2021/02/andrew-yang-comes-to-aid-of-photographer-attacked-on-staten-island-ferry.html
elleng
(129,767 posts)'current frontrunner?'
tblue37
(64,847 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,225 posts)More like current name recognition leader in an online poll:
https://nypost.com/2021/02/10/yang-leading-adams-stringer-in-nyc-mayoral-race-poll-finds/
I like Yang and NYC could do much worse. He has guts just for trying and this incident shows his courage isnt confined to his professional life.
Duppers
(28,088 posts)DFW
(53,930 posts)Yang, the Democrat, gets the guy to lower his weapon, and diffuses the situation. If it had been a Republican, he or she would have talked the attacker with the metal pipe into giving it to him/her by saying, "here, let ME do it.," and then (S)HE would have beaten the crap out of the photographer.
Claustrum
(4,845 posts)Instead of diffusing the situation, the republican would probably pull out a gun and shoot the attacker dead. Then the republican would claim that he/she feels his/her life is threatened and he/she is just "standing his/her ground", nevermind that the state doesn't have any stand your ground laws. And the republican would then claim the attacker is ANTIFA and is there to kill the republican even though there is zero evidence of such.
DFW
(53,930 posts)I was just fleshing out a rough plot outline!
Kid Berwyn
(14,522 posts)Enemy of the people! and all that rot.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)But, no surprise to those of us who followed Yang.
JDC
(10,078 posts)Maybe not. Doing the right thing at the right place, right time I guess.
BeyondGeography
(39,225 posts)Not to mention the arrested attacker.
Dont be goofy.
JDC
(10,078 posts)"It is unclear exactly what happened to the passenger with the metal pole after he left the group. The NYPD and DOT did not immediately respond to a request about whether police are following up on the incident."
Maybe you have better info or are reading something I am not seeing?
Don't call me goofy for not being naive.
BeyondGeography
(39,225 posts)Yang told THE CITY that while he thinks it made sense for officers on the ferry to respond, he said he doesnt believe police officers can provide proper support to people with mental health issues.
Because were on the ferry, theyre literally NYPD that are on the ferry beat and so it would be very sensible that theyd be the first one there and on the scene, Yang said. But the question is whos actually going to provide the support and services that a lot of people need and in that light the police are not equipped to provide a lot of what would actually put people in better situations.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/2/26/22303636/andrew-yang-saves-photographer-staten-island-ferry-mayor
JDC
(10,078 posts)"Police later told The Post that Platt and another passenger bumped into each other but no one was assaulted or injured. "
And guess who got the photo we all get to see now?
Feel good all you want about the hero story, but substitute Ted Cruz for Yang and I'd bet you'd feel differently about the whole thing.
kcr
(15,295 posts)JDC
(10,078 posts)And tell me how the story reads.
Opportunistic is the answer. n/t
ornotna
(10,742 posts)Got it.
JDC
(10,078 posts)You suggest that we should react to each equally. Suspicion of republicans means we should be equally suspicious of Democrats. You can go that route, I'll pass.
JDC
(10,078 posts)And this is a PR story that come wrapped up in with a mental health message bow and with a perfect picture of his incredibly diverse Yang mask-clad team standing up to a dangerous NY street tough with a mop handle.
Surprised he didn't get a chance to talk to the thug about a living wage while he calmed him down and got him to say he supports Yang in the election - which is also actually in the story.
C'mon.
John F. Kennedy
(70 posts)The man shoved the photographer, allegedly. That's assault.
BeyondGeography
(39,225 posts)Link to tweet
Maybe Yang and his role players orchestrated this just to prove a point about the need for increased mental health services in NYC. Hmmmm.
kcr
(15,295 posts)We need a tinfoil smiley
MagickMuffin
(15,872 posts)John F. Kennedy
(70 posts)Looks like the thread title is going to need a little editing.