You are reading

‘Anarchists’ Damage Cars, Vandalize Property in Middle Village Amid Protest: Holden

A car in Middle Village was vandalized by “anarchists” Friday night (Courtesy of Council Member Robert Holden’s Office)

Nov. 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin

A group of “anarchists” shattered car windows, tore down American flags and scrawled expletives on property in Middle Village Friday night, local officials and police said.

Nearly 50 rioters dressed in all black stormed into the neighborhood around 8:30 p.m. and wreaked havoc following the “not guilty” verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case, according to Councill Member Robert Holden, who represents the neighborhood.

Holden said the “anarchists” specifically came into the neighborhood to vandalize property, rather than peacefully protest.

“Last night, 40 to 50 anarchists dressed in black assembled at Crowley Park in Elmhurst and then entered Middle Village to vandalize and disturb the peace,” he said in a statement Saturday. “These rioters vandalized property, tore down American flags, turned over garbage cans, jumped on and spray-painted cars, and blocked traffic.”

The NYPD arrested five men — ranging in age from 22 to 38 — on charges including unlawful assembly, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal mischief. Officers seized a hatchet, ax and spraypaint while making the arrests.

The department posted photos of the damage on Twitter, including a shattered windshield and a car spraypainted with “f*ck you.”

“The NYPD takes its responsibility to protect the 1st amendment rights of peaceful demonstrators seriously,” the department tweeted. “Just as important is the safety of NYers & the protection of property from people breaking the law in the name of protest. As seen tonight in Queens, they will be arrested.”

Holden, a moderate Democrat who lives in Middle Village, said he and the neighborhood were targeted for their pro-police stance.

For instance, the car that was covered in graffiti had a “thin blue line” sticker in support of the police.

A rioter shattered a car windshield in Middle Village Friday night (Courtesy of Council Member Robert Holden’s Office)

“We’re targeted because we support the police here,” Holden said during a press conference Saturday. “We want more police.”

The council member added that calling the vandals protestors is inaccurate.

“These were not protestors,” he said. “They didn’t chant; they didn’t have signs; they weren’t saying anything. They were just coming into our community all dressed in black — only showing their eyes — and were destroying. They were breaking things, throwing things, stomping on cars.”

Prior to the vandalism, Holden criticized a tweet put out by Mayor Bill de Blasio following the Rittenhouse verdict. De Blasio questioned the verdict and described it as disgusting.

Holden took exception to it.

“This is no time for dangerous rhetoric that might stir up civil unrest in our city,” Holden said before the incident in Middle Village.

The next day he blamed the mayor’s comments for endangering the community.

“The reckless comments of Mayor Bill de Blasio and many of our other elected officials put thousands of families in danger,” he said.

The council member has been a longtime critic of de Blasio. Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Eric Adams joined Holden in the neighborhood Saturday to denounce the vandalism and show his support for the community.

“I was deeply disturbed and angered over what happened in this community,” Adams said at the press conference. “It is one thing to protest at an elected official’s office; it is one thing to come to a hearing and voice your concern, but to come to a neighborhood and openly destroy property, be disruptive, throw objects at the residents of a neighborhood — that is unacceptable in our city.”

Adams said the rioters were outside agitators.

“These are not New Yorkers,” he said. “These are outside agitators that have one desire and that is to destroy our city and create conflicts and tensions between New Yorkers.”

The five men arrested were from Brooklyn and New Jersey, according to police.

Adams, a former NYPD officer, said his administration will not put up with such crimes.

“We are not going to allow this to happen…,” he said. “My city will be a safe city. We will have zero tolerance for violence in our city.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Mayor Adams marks one year of ‘Padlock to Protect’ with pizza and progress in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the city’s “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative at a pizzeria on the Rego Park and Middle Village border on Wednesday and touted the significant progress in shutting down more than 1,400 illegal smoke shops across the five boroughs and seizing more than $95 million in illegal product since last May.

“The city was fed up. We heard it at every town hall. This time last year, there were thousands of illegal smoke shops plaguing our city with unlicensed cannabis endangering our children,” Adams said. “One year later, we are proud to announce that we have turned the tide. Thanks to the tireless efforts by our city’s law enforcement officers, we’ve padlocked thousands of illegal shops and created safer streets for children and families. But we’re not stopping there.”