Vaccination Passports Spark Ire Among MAGA Supporters

LONG ISLAND, NY — Organizers of the Long Island MAGA caravans in support of Donald Trump are taking aim at Gov. Andrew Cuomo and have planned a rally to protest vaccination passports.

In New York, the "Excelsior Pass" launched Friday —Cuomo first mentioned them in his State of the State address. The Excelsior Pass, he said, is a free, voluntary platform developed in partnership with IBM, which uses technology to confirm an individual's recent negative PCR or antigen test result or proof of vaccination.

The app, he said, will help to "fast-track the reopening of businesses and event venues in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidelines."

Shawn Farash, who was recognized by President Donald Trump for his "MAGA" parades and rallies, including an event out to Montauk that drew thousands, is organizing another event to protest the vaccine passports.

The rally will be held on April 11, beginning at the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station and heading to Sunken Meadow State Park, Field 3. Those participating will meet at 11 a.m. and the caravan will kick off at 1 p.m., he said.

"We are ready to take a stand against the idea of vaccine passports as it appears as just another one of the governor's attempts to dictate how we live, rather than govern within the bounds of the Constitution," Farash said. "Florida's success with regards to COVID, including death and infection numbers despite far less restrictive policies is proof alone that Governor Cuomo's judgment with regards to handling COVID is flawed, to say the least. Vaccine Passports will be another item on the list of missteps by governor Cuomo — missteps that conveniently didn't make it into his book."

The theme of the entire event is "MAGA: Make Andrew Go Away," Farash said.

For those utilizing the new vaccination passport, much like a mobile boarding pass, people can print out their pass or store it on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app. Each pass will have a secure QR code, which participating businesses and venues can scan using a companion app to verify proof of COVID-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination. An individual's data is kept secure and confidential at all times, Cuomo said.

New Yorkers can use Excelsior Pass to verify their COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results as needed to gain entry to major stadiums and arenas, wedding receptions, or catered and other events above the social gathering limit, Cuomo said.

To learn more about the Excelsior Pass, click here.

"New Yorkers have proven they can follow public health guidance to beat back COVID, and the innovative Excelsior Pass is another tool in our new toolbox to fight the virus while allowing more sectors of the economy to reopen safely and keeping personal information secure," Cuomo said. "The question of 'public health or the economy' has always been a false choice — the answer must be both."

New York State is the first state in the U.S. to formally launch this "potentially transformational technology," Cuomo said.

Farash, like those who are demanding Cuomo resign following a spate of sexual harassment accusations — a ninth woman has come forward and accused him of kissing her without consent — and the nursing home death controversy, feels the governor must go.

Farash said the discontent with Cuomo began with bail reform, high taxes, and "weak support for law enforcement at best," as well as his stance on abortion.

Farash mentioned the nursing home death controversy and said Cuomo's "restrictions, placed on bars and restaurants, were destructive. "The governor has failed to efficiently and effectively run New York State, which can be reflected by its diminishing population, as residents make their way to states that allow more freedom to its residents, such as Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee," he said.