The recent New York mayoral election ended with Zohran Mamdani narrowly overcoming Andrew Cuomo in the electoral race, but one candidate stood out for reasons other than politics. Curtis Sliwa, known for his signature red beret and unmistakable upstate accent, brought decades of New York street experience to the campaign, sharing stories that have long made him an iconic figure in the city’s public life.
Sliwa first emerged in the late 1970s, during a time when New York was grappling with rising crime and street violence. In 1977, determined to act, he and a group of friends formed a patrol unit known as the “Magnificent 13.” Donning red berets and jackets, the group evolved into what would become the Guardian Angels, a distinctive organisation dedicated to community safety. Their presence on city streets earned Sliwa a reputation as the “guardian” of New Yorkers during a time when many felt vulnerable.
His work was not without risk. On June 19, 1992, Sliwa survived an attempted assassination while riding in a yellow taxi en route to work. He was shot five times at point-blank range but managed to escape through the car window, later spending days in emergency care. The incident drew widespread media attention and underscored the dangers he faced in his anti-crime efforts.
Beyond his gritty persona, Sliwa has also cultivated a softer legacy through his advocacy for animal welfare. Over the years, he has championed policies such as expanding no-kill dog shelters, converting vacant storefronts into adoption centres, and reevaluating the role of certain zoos in the city. His passion for animals is personal as well as political; at one point, he cared for as many as seventeen rescue cats in his own home, revealing a gentler side to the man best known for patrolling streets and subways.
Although Sliwa did not win the latest mayoral election, his blend of activism, resilience, and compassion has secured him a lasting place in the hearts and minds of many New York citizens. His life remains a testament to the city’s ability to produce personalities as complex and vibrant as New York itself.
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