Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa Steps Up In Defense of NYC Businesses Amid Riots

66-year-old Curtis Sliwa has been the leader of the volunteer group “Guardian Angels” since 1979 – the peak of crime in New York City. The group with signature red jackets, continue helping those in need amid the ongoing riots, following George Floyd’s death. 

Guardian Angels Protect Businesses 

“Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have mostly been in Chinatown to stop any hate crimes against Asians,” Sliwa told Fox News, adding that on Tuesday night the group made their way to Broadway after hearing about looters trying to get into a Footlocker. 

Sliwa continued his story, saying that he and his team of six arrived at around 8 p.m., and forced the young men to drop what they had stolen, although around two hours later, the looters’ number grew to around 100 and kept increasing. 

The Guardian Angels are standing outside a Foot Locker on Broadway that was looted multiple times last night — NYC of the 70s and 80s pic.twitter.com/MyLF1LKpHT

— Mohamad Bazzi (@BazziNYU) June 3, 2020

Sliwa said that they didn’t let them get in, despite getting hit. The man said that the group never backs down or retreats, adding that despite not having any weapons or guns, everyone in the Guardian Angels has martial arts training and is ready to use it if need be. 

The situation just got worse from there, as the looters’ numbers grew to some 300 by 11 p.m., with many carrying hammers, lock cutters, and baseball bats, as well as throwing glass bottles, bricks and rocks to try to get past the group and into the store. 

“It was the quite battle,” Sliwa said, adding that they managed to hold out until police arrived near midnight, which prompted some to run to a nearby McDonald’s, others to escape and some were arrested. 

The veteran volunteer said that the recently passed bail reform in the state means that those who were arrested don’t need to post bail, citing it as one of the factors that motivate looters to do what they do and get no real punishment for it. 

Since the Guardian Angels’ creation, the outfit has spread to more than 130 cities across the United States, with some popping up even in other countries. Sliwa’s assessment of the ongoing protests is that those organizing the peaceful protests have no real control over what happens at night, adding that the riots’ intensity is brought about by a “perfect storm” of conditions, also involving the extended coronavirus lockdown.