Short explanation

So this is Queens, New York City

In this borough, there is a park called Forest Park next to a neighborhood called Richmond Hill

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Park_(Queens)

Last year, angry drivers signed a petition urging the city to allow them to drive through Forest Park.

Eric Adams, the Mayor, accepted their request:

https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/30/danger-ahead-city-to-let-car-drivers-reoccupy-forest-park-next-week

That made some Richmond Hill residents angry.

So local families started demonstrating next to the park. They want the new mayor - Zohran Mamdani - to ban cars from Forest park.

Joann Ariola is a Republican member of New York City council

https://council.nyc.gov/district-32/

She personally wrote a letter to Mayor Eric Adams begging him to allow cars to go through Forest Park:

https://lede-admin.nyc.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2025/11/Ariola-Freedom-Drive-letter-.pdf

During the demonstration, she crossed the park in an SUV and showed up to mock demonstrators.

Driver’s pledge: I won’t use my phone while driving b/c I could kill somebody

Pedestrian pledge: I’ll stay focused in crosswalks b/c we know drivers won’t follow their pledge

I never understood where this 'elitist' accusation came from

https://sh.itjust.works/pictrs/image/07e1af6b-052a-4faa-902a-552846c86b73.webp

He hit her so hard that she reportedly flew 60 feet through the air before smashing into the windshield of a parked car. Then he fled the scene.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/beloved-occupational-therapist-was-biking-home-when-she-was-killed-in-long-beach-hit-and-run-loved-ones-say/