Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who broadly represents the Northwest Bronx and who is currently running for reelection, was involved in an altercation seemingly with a member of the public during an event he was co-hosting in the Woodlawn section of The Bronx on Saturday, May 9.

 

In a video posted online by resident Mary Muldoon to a Bronx-based community group on Wednesday, May 20, the assemblyman, 71, is first seen outside the Emerald Isle Immigration Center at 4235 Katonah Avenue near some temporary street stands and banners for the Center, for City Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11), the assemblyman’s son, and for Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

 

A representative for the assemblyman’s office later said, “The event was our paper shredding event outside the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, Saturday, May 9th.” The assemblyman regularly hosts such paper shredding events where members of the public can attend and shred sensitive documents for free. The one held May 9 was co-hosted by the borough president, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36) and the councilman.

The assemblyman is seen near the stands talking to people on the street when he is approached by another man dressed in white sneakers, a grey/blue sweatshirt and dark colored pants. The man approaches Dinowitz with an outstretched arm and the two are seen shaking hands.

 

A third man dressed in all black/dark clothing and a baseball hat is seen standing sort of in between them with his back to the camera. The complete view of the incident is therefore obstructed by this third man. There is no sound on the video, which is date stamped May 9 at around 11.37 a.m., so it’s unknown what is said.

Moments later, the man who approached Dinowitz is seen getting closer to his face and they appear to get into some type of verbal spat. The same man is then seen pushing the assemblyman backwards with some force. Prior to this, the assemblyman appears to place his hand on the man’s shoulder.

 

The assemblyman stumbles backwards after the push but does not fall to the ground as he bumps into a man and a woman standing behind him, who break his fall. The man he bumps into appears elderly, is dressed in a green jacket, possibly dark blue jeans, and has white hair.

The assemblyman and the man who pushed him appear to continue yelling at each other as the latter departs the area in the opposite direction and the assemblyman gives him the bird.

 

In an accompanying post for the video, Mary Muldoon writes, “This is not a good thing. Woodlawn people need to wake up. Dinowitz needs to go. He is also behind that all children must be vaccinated before going to summer camp.”

She adds, “He is selling the people of Woodlawn out. The video of Dinowitz is when someone asked him a question. From what I am hearing from multiple sources, he had his fingers in the guys chest, so the person pushed him. Wake up Woodlawn.”

Norwood News reached out to Muldoon and asked what she meant by the assemblyman selling Woodlawn out and for more context on the incident / dispute, and will share any feedback we receive. We also reached out to the assemblyman for comment on the incident.

Norwood News is unable to corroborate if this is an accurate description of what happened until we receive a copy of the police report / official complaint. We will share any further updates we receive.

 

Click here, here, here and here to read some of our prior coverage of incidents/rallies targeting the assemblyman for his pro-vaccination stance.