‘No Donations for Deception!’
By Gary Glennell Toms
On March 4, family members of nursing home residents who died of Covid-19 protested in front of a posh Manhattan apartment building and urged residents and passersby not to donate to mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo’s campaign. A fundraiser was being held at the time, and Daniel and Peter Arbeeny were among those voicing their anger, disappointment and frustration over the former governor’s quest to become mayor. Their 89-year-old father, Norman, died after contracting Covid in a nursing home. “Our message to New York City residents is no donations for deception,” said Daniel Arbeeny.
Daniel Arbeeny speaks to reporters about his father’s death and Cuomo’s bid for mayor.
The event was organized by Voices for Seniors, which was founded by sisters Vivian Rivera Zayas and Alexa Rivera. According to the organization’s website, “Their heartbreaking journey began the day their mother died unexpectedly in a Long Island nursing home. Ana Martinez, who was due to be released, suffered under the care of that nursing home after contracting COVID-19. Vivian and Alexa were told she was healthy and safe, when all the while she was clinging to life, struggling to breathe. The nursing home’s omissions and blatant lies played a part in the sisters’ harrowing struggle to find answers. Their mother’s untimely death has fueled their tireless efforts to hold healthcare workers and government officials accountable, and pursue real change so that no senior citizen or family will have to endure the pain they did. We welcome you to join their journey in giving our seniors a voice.”
Peter Arbeeny and his brother have vowed to hold Andrew Cuomo and others accountable for the deaths of 15,000 nursing home residents. “The fact that Cuomo has refused to meet with me, my brother and other family members that have been traumatized by this situation is unacceptable. We’re not going away, and we intend to be at every fundraiser to send a message,” he said.
Lindsey Boylan attended the protest to support the families and the women who alleged they were sexually harassed by Cuomo. In February of 2021, CBS News reported the following: “Boylan accused Cuomo of intimidation and sexual harassment, expanding on allegations she first made in December. In an essay posted to Medium on Wednesday, the former staffer accused the governor of going ‘out of his way’ to touch her ‘lower back, arms and legs,’ and kissing her during a one-on-one meeting.” Boylan is incensed that Cuomo is running for mayor and intends to continue speaking out against the man she calls “that monster.”
The family members created scores of posters picturing lost loved ones. “I miss my mother every day,” said one protester who asked that their name not be published. “She was perfectly healthy and so full of life! She didn’t have to die of Covid, and I’ll continue to fight on her behalf and others that died.”
Robbie Michaels shared this photo with From The G-Man and provided the backstory. “Covid took my mom, Beatrice Siegel. Now, all I have are memories. My fondest memory is the great time we had whenever I went to see her in the nursing home,” Michaels said. “I would apply her makeup and do her hair and nails, and it would make her so happy. Whenever I saw that joy in her face, it made me just as happy. Cuomo took that away from me. He should be held accountable, not running for mayor.”