“Outrage” in Nyack Spills into RBA Meeting

   Rockland Business Association’s monthly luncheon, held at Hotel Nyack on Thursday, March 20, saw its sold-out event 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).

   The unruly group–apparently waved in by two women sitting by a window in the venue and who signed up as guests for the luncheon–barged into the hotel before the nearly 200 guests and hotel staff realized what was happening. The pair who had given the rioters the thumbs up to crash the venue continued to sit and watch the brouhaha unfold, all while holding protest signage, mimicking ones Democrats waved when they sat through the recent State of the Union address.

   The actions of the Trump/ Musk-hating goons soon had RBA members on their feet to escort the crowd of mostly young adults to the exit, encouraging them to take their signage—and their assets—with them. Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny, a guest at the luncheon, had the police there within minutes of the disturbance. 

   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.”   Lawler reported that border crossings were 189,000 in February 2024 to 8,000 in February. 2025 and told guests, “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. 

   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. 

   Zebrowski apologized to Lawler and the crowded room filled with business owners, non-profits representatives and elected officials. “The RBA represents a cross section of people from Rockland and broader-Republicans, Democrats and others…when I asked Mike if he would take questions from the floor, he didn’t have to say yes. The behavior that happened in here today 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.”