So, like, there’s this whole thing happening in Brooklyn, right? A bunch of residents are totally not on board with this proposed homeless shelter at 2134 Coyle St. in Sheepshead Bay. The latest protest went down on May 4, 2025. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, over 300 people hit the streets to show their disapproval of the city’s plan to open a homeless shelter in their hood. They marched along Coney Island Avenue and other local streets, making it clear they were not having it with the idea of a shelter at 2134 Coyle St. in Sheepshead Bay. The spot was supposed to be for affordable housing, but now the city wants to switch it up and make it a shelter for 169 families. Residents are calling it a “bait-and-switch” move.
For almost two months, opponents of the shelter have been trying to shut it down. They’ve been out there protesting and causing a scene at the location to make their voices heard. Last week, a couple of protesters even got themselves arrested for causing a ruckus.
Leading the march on May 4 were Republican state Sen. Steven Chen and mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, who is also the founder of Guardian Angels. They both went after Mayor Eric Adams for pushing forward with the shelter plan. They promised to do whatever it takes to put a stop to it.
Curtis Sliwa had some words for Mayor Adams, saying, “If we have to, we will bring everybody together. We will confront Eric Adams, the mayor, because he won’t come here. We’ll go to Gracie Mansion on a Sunday and say, ‘Come on out. Eric Adams, talk to the people. Don’t be afraid of the people.'”
State Sen. Steven Chen accused Mayor Adams of wanting to wreck the last of the good neighborhoods in the area. He urged residents to use their “superpower” wisely by voting in the upcoming elections.
Protest organizers are planning to take their fight straight to City Hall in Manhattan this Wednesday for another protest. Not really sure why this matters, but they seem pretty determined to make some noise about this whole shelter situation. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like they’re not backing down anytime soon.
