Activists Demand Permanent Closure of NYC Brothel

Activists on Sunday called for the permanent closure of a brothel in Jackson Heights, Queens, known as the "Market of Sweethearts," which they claim reopened shortly after a recent NYPD raid. The Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition demonstrated outside the establishment at 75th Street, expressing frustration with ongoing illegal activities and what they describe as a failure by city and state officials to address the issue.

Protesters chanted "shut it down" and "taking our streets back," emphasizing their demand for a lasting solution to the persistent problems along Roosevelt Avenue and surrounding streets. Community leaders like Hiram Monseratte and Rosa Sanchez voiced their discontent, stating that the recent raid was insufficient as the operators were allegedly back in business hours later.

"This is an embarrassment. This is our community," said Sanchez. Monseratte added, "We're demanding that they shut it down permanently. We're upset that our criminal justice system is failing New Yorkers. We refuse to allow mockery of a criminal system to be made."

The neighborhood has been plagued for years by prostitution, drug trafficking, and shoplifting, issues that activists attribute in part to the influx of migrants. This situation has drawn attention from political figures, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has previously criticized state laws he believes contribute to the problem.

Previous efforts to curb the illicit activities have included NYPD raids, the deployment of state troopers to the area in 2024 for a 90-day period, and a multi-agency initiative called Operation Restore Roosevelt. While Operation Restore Roosevelt reportedly led to a brief decrease in crime, the activists argue that the illegal operations have consistently resumed once enforcement efforts concluded.

Sociologist Mercedes Blanco, a resident of the area, expressed the community's desire for a peaceful environment, stating, "The community wants to walk peacefully down Roosevelt Avenue. But they can't because the night workers have taken ownership of our streets."