Public leaders gather for Floyd Bennett Field migrant tent shelter closure
January 17, 2025 Loretta Chin
A side view of what remains of the migrant tent city on its projected final closing day. Photo by Loretta Chin
Share this:
MARINE PARK — It was unprecedented, but it was considered an emergency. The placement of a migrant tent encampment on leased national parkland here nearly 18 months ago brought opposition immediately from community leaders.
On Wednesday, standing on the frigid windswept tarmac of the former airfield, opponents of the migrant encampment held a press conference to celebrate closure of the encampment. They also expressed gratitude to those who fought for return to the community of the unique recreation area that is now part of Floyd Bennett Field.
“We’re here today as fellow people from Marine Park, Rockaway, Gerritsen Beach and all the communities from Brooklyn,” organizer of the event and Chair of the Coalition for Better Communities Ron Canterino said.
Canterino addressed accusations against the group, who were labeled as “outside agitators” by those who supported Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to house migrants on federally protected lands, a part of the Jamaica Bay unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
“We’re people who live in the community. We’ve seen firsthand what this has done to thecommunities,” he said, referring toneighborhood complaints about people from the tents knocking on doors, panhandling and creatingdetrimental conditions impacting quality of life.