Hate group smears symbols in Queens Midtown Tunnel

A member of the Proud Boys arrested in a 2018 brawl with anti-fascists was from Jackson Heights. Photo courtesy of the NYPD.

By David Brand

A far-right organization that incited a fight with anti-fascists in Manhattan last year made their presence known in New York City once again Sunday.

The Proud Boys, a fascist organization that prohibits women from joining their ranks, draped banners over bridges and tunnels around the city, including at the entrance to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.

“Andrew Cuomo = Fredo” read the sign at the Queens tunnel, referring to the character of Fredo Corleone, the weakest member of the Corleone crime family in the “The Godfather” series.

Cuomo responded to the group in a statement, calling them “neo-fascists” and “Bigot Boys.” 

"I have a message for the 'Bigot Boys' who skulk around like cowards in the dead of night: when you preach hate and division, New York answers with love and unity,” Cuomo said. “Crawl back into your hole, Bigot Boys — there's no place for hate in our state."

The Proud Boys espouse white nationalist ideology and call for the subjugation of women. One of the members arrested for his alleged role in the 2018 brawl with anti-fascist demonstrators was from Jackson Heights.