Long Islanders Rally To 'Hold Santos Accountable' At Courthouse

MINEOLA, NY — Long Islanders gathered Thursday at the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola to protest against incoming 3rd District congressman George Santos, under fire for lying about his background.

The "Hold Santos Accountable" rally was hosted by nonprofit Courage for America and economic advocacy group Unrig Out Economy and featured speakers including state senator Anna Kaplan and Robert Zimmerman, the Democrat Santos beat in the congressional race.

The protesters held signs calling the 34-year-old Republican a "liar, liar" and asking him to resign. Santos admitted he embellished his resume, including working on Wall Street and earning a college degree. Organizers told Patch approximately 150 people attended the rally.

On Monday, Santos said he intends to take office. Two days later, the Nassau County district attorney's office said it opened an investigation into whether Santos committed any crimes.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn are also reportedly looking into Santos' congressional financial disclosures.

"The truth will always win in our congressional district, and in our nation," Zimmerman said to the crowd, who at times chanted "don't seat Santos."

Long Island native Linda Beigel Schulman also spoke, condemning Santos for claiming his grandparents fled the Holocaust and for saying four of his employees were killed in the Florida Pulse nightclub shooting.

"How dare you," she said.

"Lies are insulting and demeaning to every child of a Holocaust survivor. How do I know? Because I am the child of a Holocaust survivor."

Beigel Schulman, whose son Scott was killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting, drew cheers when she said "integrity matters."

Unrig our Economy kicked off a six-figure advertising campaign demanding House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy investigate Santos with a mobile billboard on a truck near the rally. The campaign will include ads on Newsday's website and targeted ads in the 3rd District, the group said.