Following the conclusion of his case, Thanh Nguyen thanked supporters at the protest site on 86th Street. Among those present to congratulate him were state Senate candidate Chen Hsiu-li, state Assemblyman William Colton’s chief of staff He Li-ning, and Hua Kang Association President Chen Li-na. Nguyen, a Vietnamese restaurant owner, had been arrested during a protest against the construction of a homeless shelter in Brooklyn back in July. On the 25th of October, he appeared in Kings County Criminal Court, where his charges were dismissed without a record due to an unexpected fire drill that interrupted the proceedings. The news thrilled the protesters on 86th Street, who praised Nguyen for his dedication to the community.
At 9 a.m. on the 25th, Nguyen, along with his wife, arrived at the courthouse to await his hearing. However, the fire drill disrupted all court activities, permitting only the lawyers to enter. As Nguyen and his supporters exited the courthouse to form a new line for security checks, his attorney, David Lynch, delivered the good news — the charges had been dismissed, and there would be no criminal record. Overjoyed, Nguyen celebrated with a high five before leaving the courthouse. Having faced charges for assaulting a police officer and obstructing justice after a clash during the protest, Nguyen received a ruling on September 17 that stipulated his charges would be dropped if he did not commit any further crimes before the next hearing.
Reflecting on his emotions before appearing in court, Nguyen stated calmly that he is a law-abiding citizen who was merely trying to help, which kept his faith strong in the justice system to clear his name. Attorney Lynch shared that while the case took longer due to Nguyen’s interaction with the police, substantial photographic and video evidence supported his position. Additionally, with no prior record and as a representative of local businesses, Nguyen’s case was strong. Lynch also mentioned that Nguyen would receive confirmation of the case closure the following Monday.
Community members, including Hua Kang Association President Chen Li-na and He Li-ning, were present to show solidarity. He expressed relief at the outcome, noting the anxiety it caused among residents concerned about Nguyen’s arrest. He emphasized the hopes that this result would bolster the community’s confidence in the American justice system.
He further remarked that while the proposed shelter might pose risks to the neighborhood, it has also united residents in a way not seen in decades. He commended their support for Nguyen and hoped to maintain the spirit of community aid moving forward, aiming to make Bensonhurst one of New York’s most vibrant and united neighborhoods.
After the proceedings, Nguyen returned to the protest site on 86th Street to express his gratitude to the supporters. Many community members reacted with joy upon hearing the news of his acquittal, offering their congratulations. Neighbors from the Vietnamese restaurant Nguyen operates also came to extend their well-wishes.
Having been raised by his grandmother after his family was separated due to war, Nguyen immigrated to New York at the age of 23 in pursuit of the American dream, viewing the Bensonhurst community as his “second home.” He expressed that the elderly protesters felt like family to him, and witnessing the police push down older demonstrators reminded him of his own parents and grandmother. He hopes to assist his community, emphasizing that a shelter would represent a significant threat to his beloved neighborhood.
Alongside ongoing protests on 86th Street, demonstrators not only expressed their excitement but also hopes that the charges against Councilman Zhuang Wenyu, linked to a forthcoming case, would also be dismissed, restoring justice to the community. While Nguyen was among those arrested during the July protest, six others were released without charges following a court appearance in August. The remaining case involving Councilman Zhuang is set for hearing on January 27, with all others resolved.
