Reverend Billy Heckles Mayor Bloomberg At Mayoral Debate Over Term Limits (VIDEO)

The first debate for the New York City mayoral election got off to a rocky start last night when Mayor Bloomberg's opening statement was interrupted by the heckling of activist, performance artist and third-party candidate Reverend Billy Talen.

Reverend Billy, who's running on the Green Party line, yelled out to Bloomberg, "What are you doing here? We voted for term limits!"

His outburst received a smattering of cheers and applause from the crowd.

According to accounts, including his own, the good reverend was then escorted out of El Museo del Barrio, where the debate was held, but not arrested. Instead he was simply told that his ticket was "no longer operative."

WATCH:

Comments

[Elbrando]

While the issue of term limits is valid, that was just rude.

[Geewhittakers]

excuse me, but what is rude is overriding the will of the people having city council reinstate term limits. Rev Billy should have been in that debate, his yelling out was most appropriate, I am sorry to see how conservative you democrats are becoming.

Rev Billy for Mayor of NYC!

[felixthecat]

A vote for anyone besides Thompson is a vote for Bloomberg. Dethrone this KING that isn't beholden to the people. He is independent of the people. ONLY represents his own interest.

[dukesman2000]

I thought it was Joe Wilson.

[Elbrando]

While the circumstances were different, civility is still civility. Many on the left condemned Mr. Wilson for his inapproriateness, and rightly so. We should be equal in our condemnation if a person on the left does something similar.

[Geewhittakers]

But Rev Billy was locked out of this debate and Joe Wilson's outburst was rooted in racism.

Obama was not lying, but Bloomberg did circumvent the will of the people by reinstating term limits, he should NOT have been allowed to run again or be in the debate, Bloomberg out of the debate, Rev Billy in!

[fightorleave2]

I know you are not supposed to hate anyone, but I truly detest Michael Bloomberg. I doubt there is a better example of everything that is wrong with America (including George Bush's smug face) than Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He usurped Democracy. He tripled his wealth under Bush, and he just wants more.

[Nooneyouknow]

Thank you, Reverend Billy! Billy's right--Bloomberg shouldn't be running; he's bought himself another term, and apparently out of vanity. It's not like Bloomberg is accomplishing much while in office. Mainly, he's been not-Giuliani.

[Matt Sewell]

Bloomberg said in the debate that Giuliani would be a good governor.
HAHAHAHAHA!

[ThosC747]

Yay Reverend Billy. Bloomberg began 8 years ago with a net worth of $4 Billion. He's now worth $20 Billion, after the crash. He cut his housekeeping staff because he had to "tighten his belt."

New York City's budget could be completely balanced if bloomberg made a small donation. But it's better to tax the poor and deny health care to everyone, Right? Because socialism is so scary and the free market is so perfect?

Can't we find some balance between Ayn Rand and Marx and accept that we will never be fully one way or the other?

[Le Kitty Lakes]

At least the drunken, verbally abusive, repugnant, red-faced, pug-nosed Irish that ran Tammity Hall knew that graft and corruption had it's natural limits. They didn't try to bring down the American economy - now did they, laddy?

[Nooneyouknow]

Wow, hate Irish people much? And it's Tammany Hall, not "Tammity."

[Trinity718]

the citizens of NYC voted for term limits. Now it's up to us to vote him out. It's unfortunate that Congress doesn't have term limits too. Let 's speak at the polls

[Geewhittakers]

and speak for Rev Billy!

[Daniel Leyva]

After the horrible years that NYC had to endure under Giuliani, anyone would be a good mayor, no matter who.

[argentino]

giuliani saved new york and bloomberg has been a great mayor; along with ed koch these are the three greatest mayors of our time (in ny)...

[bnww]

Oh please!

[WhatHaveWeBecome]

Yeah right.

[fightorleave2]

Guiliani saved New York. That is my all-time favorite. I feel like taking you on my knee and try to talk some sense into you.

[argentino]

"I feel like taking you on my knee and try to talk some sense into you."

sounds a bit kinky to me...

[BaronWVS]

... for rich people.

[argentino]

if it weren't for "rich people" you wouldn't have a job...

[bomberpeteNY]

Ptrgamb,

You're full of hot air. If you think that voting for Thompson "sends a message" to Bloomberg or is anything other than a wasted effort, you're kidding yourself. The only message it sends to the Democrats is keep putting up the same lame-o, pandering, useless hacks out there. Fine, don't pick Rev. Billy, but there are 6 other alternative candidates. The worst thing you can do is act like the zombie the two-party system and media expects you to be.

Ptrgamb wrote:

I'm not in favor of Rev. Billy (whoever he is) pulling this interruption, but his point about term limits is correct. I am not voting for Bloomberg again. I don't even FAVOR term limits, but to put them in and then take them out again entirely for the convenience of one individual ( and despite any rationalization you hear, this is what this is about) without a public vote on the matter just doesn't wash. Vote for Bill Thompson.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/14/reverend-billy-heckles-ma_n_321490.html

[Geewhittakers]

yay Pete! Rev Billy for Mayor!

[HekmabaJuzimax]

"Hold on one second please, Mr. Mayor, while that situation is dealt with."

What situation? Freedom of Speech?

[rektruax]

I will vote for whomever I believe will give New York city the proper viking burial she richly deserves..­.

[onwuakor]

lmao

[argentino]

spoken like a true yokel...

[Balzac]

I remember reading about Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall. He did a fine job running New York City for a long time, and then he got a bit over the hill, cantankerous and sluggish. And man did people turn on that poor SOB.

I think people are often too contemptuous of powerful leaders. I got chased by NYPD with orange nets during the RNC protest in NYC in 2004. Michael Bloomberg spared no expense to keep us protesters under control. I was pissed. Then I got over it.

Personality counts for a lot. I don't see another candidate in the race who's _really_ ready to be Mayor of New York City. Comptroller Bill Thompson doesn't appear decisive enough.

But Mayor Bloomberg has to do one thing, or I may change my mind in favor of Bill Thompson. Mayor Bloomberg must not support Rudy Guliani for Governor. That is unacceptable to me. Guliani was far too conservative.

[Klimb]

So how will you know that he will not support Giuliani..­.very interesting way to reason!

[fightorleave2]

I believe Boss Tweed was accused of acquiring something like 80 million in the late 19th century. It sure kind of reminds me of our present so-called Mayor.