'Hate Crime': Sliwa Blasted For TV Assault On Times Square 'Migrant'

NEW YORK CITY — Speaking Spanish in Times Square is enough for Curtis Sliwa to believe you're a dangerous migrant.

At least that's what a bombshell Associated Press report hints about a controversial live Fox News interview Tuesday in which Sliwa showed a group of his Guardian Angels take down what he said was "one of the migrant guys" sowing disorder in the city.

But Sliwa's prime time assertion on Sean Hannity's show — which he made after an attack on NYPD officers in Times Square by several men identified as migrants — quickly fell apart.

The NYPD first identified the man as a New Yorker from The Bronx, as detailed in several subsequent reports. Then Sliwa, when asked for comment by the Associated Press, said he believed the man was a migrant because he was "speaking Spanish" and that Guardian Angels had seen him with other Spanish speakers.

"He was put down so he wouldn’t hurt himself or anyone else," Sliwa told the Associated Press.

The now-viral Times Square interview with Sliwa and his reasoning for the takedown drew widespread criticism, with many labeling it a potential hate crime.

"Here’s Curtis Sliwa confessing to a hate crime (orchestrating a gang assault on a man because he was speaking Spanish) to the Associated Press," tweeted Rich Mintz, a member of Manhattan's Community Board 6.

"Violence of any kind must be unacceptable in our society," tweeted City Council Member Justin Brannan. "Whether it's migrants attacking cops in Times Square or Curtis Sliwa's clowns jumping a guy from the Bronx who they decided 'looked like' a migrant. Equal application of the law is what the people want."

"This is what the anti-migrant hysteria amounts to – a racist hate crime broadcast live on national television," tweeted Rep. Dan Goldman.

"There must be swift action taken and consequences for @CurtisSliwa and his band of xenophobic, lawless thugs for their brazen actions."

This is what the anti-migrant hysteria amounts to – a racist hate crime broadcast live on national television.

There must be swift action taken and consequences for @CurtisSliwa and his band of xenophobic, lawless thugs for their brazen actions.

Shame on all involved. https://t.co/9D2eGhZRAG
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) February 8, 2024