Trump Makes Visit To NYC Bodega, Receives Warm Welcome From Community

Former President Donald Trump received a warm welcome in New York City during his visit to the Sanaa Convenient Store. The store, previously named the Blue Moon Convenient Store, was the site of a violent attack in July 2022 where former store clerk Jose Alba killed his attacker in self-defense but was charged with murder by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Alba’s attacker, 35-year-old Austin Simon, was caught on camera trying to intimidate the 61-year-old store clerk over a stolen bag of chips. Simon’s girlfriend, Tina Lee, stabbed Alba but he fought back fatally stabbing Simon.

Despite the clear case of self-defense captured on surveillance footage, Bragg imprisoned Alba for nearly a week after charging him with second-degree murder. Public pressure led to the district attorney’s office reducing Alba’s bail and eventually dropping the prosecution entirely.

Trump met with small business advocate Francisco Marte and the store’s co-owner, Maad Ahmed, during his visit. Ahmed told the New York Post that “what happened to Jose was very hard for me. Jose was defending himself from the guy who came behind the counter. All for $1 worth of chips.”

The bodega co-owner also noted that New York City had become extremely dangerous and his business continues to face a high crime rate. Trump vowed to “straighten New York out” and suggested that bodega workers “should be allowed to have a gun.”

Ahmed agreed with Trump’s argument expressing his belief that criminals “would respect the store” if they knew the employees were armed. He plans to apply for a firearm permit based on Trump’s suggestion.

Trump also stated that allowing the police to “do their jobs” would help address the problem. “Every week they’re being robbed two or three times, it’s crazy. You know what? The police can stop it but they have to be allowed to do their job,” he said.

Ahmed told the New York Post that he plans on voting for the first time in his life and will be choosing Trump. “I have never voted, because I’ve been working, but this time I will. We need Donald Trump back in the White House because he’s a strong guy,” Ahmed argued.

Marte said his organization does not endorse political candidates but noted that he was grateful for Trump’s support of small businesses and “law and order.” “This store was where the fight against the liberal laws started, when they were charging Jose Alba with murder for defending himself. The fight against those liberals started here,” he told the outlet.

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