“Outrage” in Nyack spills into RBA meeting

Rockland Business Association’s monthly luncheon, held at Hotel Nyack on Thursday, March 20, found the sold-out crowd get unexpectedly bigger when a
large group of hecklers stormed the hotel’s catering facility to protest the appearance of U.S. Congressman Michael Lawler (R/C-17 th ). The unruly group–apparently waved into the hotel from a window inside the room by two women who had signed up for seats at the luncheon in advance–barged into the room before the nearly 200 guests and hotel staff realized what was happening.

The two women who had given the rioters the thumbs up to crash the venue continued to sit and watch the brouhaha unfold, all while holding signage similar
to the ones Democrats waved when they sat through month’s State of the Union address. The actions of Trump/ Musk-hating goons soon had RBA members on their feet to escort the crowd of mostly young adults out of the hotel venue, encouraging them to take their signage—and their assets—with them.

Orangetown Supervisor Theresa Kenney, who was in attendance with other local officials, had the police there within minutes of the disturbance. Lawler and Zebrowski, who served together in the New York State Legislature in the past, sat on opposite sides of the aisle but came to agree on several issues vital to the county during their shared time in Albany.  Once the dust settled, Lawler updated those at the luncheon what was happening and what DOGE is doing—a turbocharged audit that’s moving at full speed ahead that government can’t keep pace with and need to cross t’s and dot i’s. He also said border crossings were 189,000 in February 2024 to 8,000 in February. 2025.

“I’ve been fighting to have the cap on SALT lifted, and Trump has been the biggest supporter. For the people who hate the President and say, ‘screw him,’ ask yourself: how is that helping any of us? I’m not falling in line like a lemming, but you must engage people, otherwise you get nothing– that is the reality of government and life. Anyone who’s ever been married understands that!” Lawler ended, eliciting some needed light-hearted laughter.

Zebrowski apologized to Lawler and the crowded room filled with business owners, political leaders and non-profit leaders. “This is a cross section of people from Rockland and broader-Republicans, Democrats, others and…when I asked him if he would take questions from the floor, he didn’t have to say yes. He didn’t have to. The behavior that happened in here prevents that from happening…folks have been protesting in this country forever, but it can’t stop government from functioning and keep people from engaging in a debate.”