Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan Urges Residents & Workers Avoid Area Around New York State Capitol on Friday, May 1 in Anticipation of Unpermitted Rally

ALBANY, NY – Today, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan urged residents and workers to avoid the area around the New York State Capitol and Empire State Plaza on Friday, May 1 in anticipation of an unpermitted rally set to take place in the immediate vicinity.

To view the video, please visit the City’s Facebook page.

To download the video, please visit https://drive.google.com/open?id=1r7lHYpTAG0oP-3W26KRfdPYiFj6IiaTv

Residents and workers should avoid Washington Avenue, State Street, and Madison Avenue between Swan Street and Eagle Street and adjacent areas, including Academy Park.  The Albany Police Department has been working with CDTA to adjust bus routes on Friday, May 1 to ensure the safety of their riders and transit workers.

In a video message, Mayor Sheehan made a plea to those planning on attending the rally that they not compromise their own safety, or the safety of first responders, health professionals, and City residents.

“Most of our residents and local workers are already working from home, but to those still coming Downtown, I encourage you to avoid the area around the Capitol,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “All of us want to see businesses re-open and get back to normal, but I urge those who are coming to Albany to remember we are a City that has three hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, we have healthcare workers, police officers, fire fighters, and sanitation workers on the front lines each day, and we have residents who want to be safe. Please stay in your car and be respectful and mindful of those who live in this community, because while we understand your frustration, we hope you understand that our residents deserve to be safe as well.”

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