The controversy surrounding the city councilwoman accused of biting a police officer during a protest against a homeless shelter in her district has taken a new turn with a rally organized in her support by a group associated with the Chinese Communist Party.
Councilwoman Susan Zhuang (D-43rd Dist.) told The Post that she had no involvement in the rally that garnered hundreds of supporters marching from Manhattan to Brooklyn on Sunday.
However, messages on WeChat, a Chinese social media app, have surfaced, suggesting that Zhuang may have been more involved than she claims, leading to accusations of dishonesty.
The messages, translated from Mandarin, show Zhuang advising supporters on their actions and the signage they should carry at the rally. She even seemed to instruct them not to target the Mayor and avoid clashes with the police.
Zhuang, who is facing charges including assault and resisting arrest after the clash on July 17, was celebrated as a hero at the rally for her opposition to the construction of a men’s shelter in Gravesend.
Despite her claims of not being involved in the event’s planning, Zhuang’s advice on WeChat has raised questions. Her spokesperson maintained that she was supporting the NYPD and advocating for community safety.
Ying Tan, who ran against Zhuang for her council seat, has accused her of falsely claiming that the NYPD used unreasonable force against her during the shelter protest. Tan criticized Zhuang for spreading false information to evade accountability for her actions.
A spokesperson for Zhuang responded to Tan’s accusations, urging her to set aside her political agenda and focus on advocating for the community’s voices and a responsive government.
