New York City Council Member Susan Zhuang, from the 43rd District, is currently under fire for allegedly biting a police officer during a protest against a homeless shelter in her district. Despite denying any involvement in organizing a rally in her support, messages on the Chinese social media app WeChat have surfaced, suggesting otherwise.
The messages, translated from Mandarin, reveal Zhuang offering advice to her supporters on how to conduct themselves at the rally and what kind of signs to carry. Some of her guidance included not targeting the Mayor and avoiding clashes with the police. Despite her claims of innocence, critics have labeled her as a “liar” for her actions.
Zhuang, who is facing charges of assault and resisting arrest from the July 17 incident, was praised as a hero at the rally for opposing the construction of the men’s shelter in Gravesend. However, a council source has called her a “dangerous liar” after reviewing the messages shared on WeChat.
Although a spokesperson for Zhuang has maintained that she was not involved in the planning of the event, the advice she provided on WeChat suggests otherwise. The spokesperson emphasized that Zhuang has always supported the NYPD and advocated for the safety of her community, dismissing the allegations as an attempt to silence the AAPI community.
Ying Tan, who previously ran against Zhuang for her council seat, has accused her of spreading false information about the NYPD’s actions during the shelter protest. Tan criticized Zhuang for evading accountability and urged her to prioritize the community’s needs over her political agenda.
In response, Zhuang’s spokesperson called for unity among Asian voices in the city and emphasized the importance of advocating for responsive government. The spokesperson urged everyone to set aside personal political agendas and focus on uplifting the voices of the community during this critical time.
