Representative Dan Goldman’s decision to relocate his Brooklyn district office from Park Slope to Sunset Park has sparked a fresh wave of protests from his constituents, both over the move itself and his broader voting record. The move, announced at the end of 2024, placed his new office in Industry City, a private facility that has presented logistical challenges for demonstrators. The relocation has not gone unnoticed by activist groups like NY10 Neighbors, who had been picketing his Park Slope office since spring 2024 over his stance on U.S. military aid to Israel.

Protests Continue Under the BQE

On Monday, January 6, 2025, about 15 members of NY10 Neighbors gathered at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 36th Street, under the BQE overpass, to protest the congressman’s new office location. They carried signs and banners calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and criticizing Goldman’s voting record.

Krissy Mahan, a spokesperson for NY10 Neighbors, stated, “We don’t want him to be our representative because he does not reflect the cultural values of Brooklyn or South Manhattan.” She added that the group’s goal is to “shed light on his voting record” and accused Goldman of relocating to Sunset Park in the hopes that the area’s predominantly Spanish-speaking population would be less engaged. The protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations every Friday at 10:00 AM at the same location indefinitely.

Sunset Park Cease Fire Now Vigil Joins the Conversation

Paul Stein, an organizer with the Sunset Park Cease Fire Now Vigil, was also present at Monday’s protest. The vigil has been holding twice-weekly gatherings in front of Sunset Park on the corner of 5th Avenue and 44th Street since October 2023. Stein, who is Jewish, expressed dismay at the lack of broader condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

“The initial attack by Hamas on the Israeli civilians, that was horrible, but two wrongs don’t make a right,” Stein said. “That doesn’t justify the slaughter that Israel has perpetrated on the Palestinian people.”

A Controversial Voting Record

Goldman’s critics point to his voting record as evidence of his support for Israel’s military actions, citing his votes for continued U.S. military aid to Israel during the recent conflict with Hamas. According to congressional records, Goldman voted for continued military aid to Israel during the recent conflict with Hamas, a decision that has been met with backlash from constituents who view such aid as an endorsement of the bombing of Gaza and the ongoing siege. Despite requests for comment, Goldman’s office has not responded, although they have previously claimed that the move to Industry City was intended to be closer to constituents.

Protesters Face New Challenges

The relocation to Industry City, a private facility, has changed the dynamics of the protests. Demonstrators are now forced to gather outside the complex, where they contend with limited visibility and noise from the highway. This, however, has not deterred the activists. “We want everyone in this neighborhood, in this district to know that he is an out-of-touch extremist,” Mahan asserted.

What’s Next?

As the protests continue to gain momentum, it remains to be seen how Representative Goldman will address the mounting pressure from his constituents. Meanwhile, both NY10 Neighbors and the Sunset Park Cease Fire Now Vigil plan to sustain their efforts, hoping to bring broader attention to their demands: a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, the release of all hostages and political prisoners, and an end to the siege and occupation of Gaza.

For now, Fridays at 10:00 AM under the BQE will serve as a rallying point for activists, with calls for accountability and representation that aligns with the district’s diverse values.