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Exclusive | NYC pedicab guide pedals anti-Israel message in Central Park — but doesn’t want to ‘offend anybody’

He’s pedaling hate. 

Central Park tour guide Mactor Sarr has plastered anti-Israel messages to the back of his pedicab, eliciting outrage from the public – although he insists he’s not out to “offend anybody.” 

“Israel’s Genocide / 31K Killed (murdered) / 13K Babies Murdered – Starved / funded by U.S.A (You),” reads the handwritten sign.

“Israel’s Genocide / 31K Killed (murdered) / 13K Babies Murdered – Starved / funded by U.S.A (You),” reads the handwritten sign. Helayne Seidman

A 58-year-old Jewish Manhattanite, was “in shock” when she was faced by the hateful message during her daily run through Central Park on Tuesday afternoon. 

“I did not expect to see that on a pedicab, which services visitors to our city. I think it’s highly inappropriate and offensive. . . . it makes me feel terrible,” said Laurie, who declined to give her last name out of fear for her safety. 

When she snapped a photo of the sign, Sarr was nowhere to be found, but another pedicab driver standing nearby asked her if she was a “‘baby killer,’” she recalled.

“I’m not a baby killer, but I am Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel,” she responded.

She told The Post, “I’m a very proud New Yorker and a proud American. My feeling is that if you hate America so much and you feel that we’re doing the wrong thing, then please don’t be in America.”

Sarr said he’s only gotten one complaint about the hateful sign on his pedicab. Helayne Seidman
Sarr said he decided to post the message in response to demonstrations in the Big Apple since Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israeli civilians.  James Keivom

Sarr, 33, said he decided to post the message in response to demonstrations in the Big Apple since Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israeli civilians

“As [the war] has continued, I couldn’t ignore it. I saw people protesting and I was like, ‘What’s the best way for me to get my voice out there?’ So that’s what led me to decide to put it up actually,” Sarr said.

The Harlem native, who has been giving tours in Central Park since 2012 and charges $75 for a one-hour trip, said he’s gotten only one complaint.

“One man riding a scooter last month . . . told my passenger, ‘Hey, your driver supports Hamas.’ And I was like, ‘Wait, what?’ And he just kind of rolled off,” Sarr recalled. 

“Sadly, New York City has become such a vile cesspool of blood libel and antisemitism, even the pedicab guy participates in the hate,” said City Councilman Kalman Yeger (R-Brooklyn). Erik Thomas/NY Post

“It’s not about Jewish people . . . it’s about how the government of Israel is behaving,” he insisted. “I really hope I don’t offend anybody.”

Gerard Filitti, a senior attorney at the Big Apple-based legal think tank The Lawfare Project, said the display is a prime example of “the pure hatred and misinformation that has fueled antisemitism across New York City.”

City Councilman Kalman Yeger (R-Brooklyn) agreed: “Sadly, New York City has become such a vile cesspool of blood libel and antisemitism, even the pedicab guy participates in the hate.”

Additional reporting by Matthew Sedacca

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