Curtis Sliwa, born in 1954, is an American media figure, community activist, radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, a citizen crime prevention organization. He previously ran for Mayor of New York in 2021 but lost the election. He is again running as a candidate in the 2025 election under the Republican Party banner.

Birth and Early Life

Curtis Sliwa was born on 26 March 1954. In the late 1970s, in his early twenties, he worked as a night manager at a McDonald’s restaurant in the Bronx district of New York. During this period, New York was known for its high crime rates and social problems. Sliwa developed the idea of taking action to ensure public safety after observing rising crime rates in the city at a young age.

His family is of working-class origin from Brooklyn; his father was a seaman and his mother a dental assistant. He has stated that he learned the values of volunteering and community service from his grandfather at an early age.

Founding and Activities of the Guardian Angels

In 1979, Curtis Sliwa, along with several coworkers from the McDonald’s branch where he worked in the Bronx, founded a citizen patrol organization in response to rising crime rates. Initially known as the Magnificent 13, the group quickly grew and adopted the name Guardian Angels. The organization began operating primarily on subway lines with high crime rates and gradually expanded its activities throughout the city.

Members of the organization wore a uniform consisting of white T-shirts, red military-style berets and red bomber jackets in cold weather. Patrols were carried out voluntarily in areas where incidents such as muggings, pickpocketing and assaults were most frequent.

At times, members of the Guardian Angels faced confrontations with police due to allegations of illegal intervention, refusal to identify themselves or unauthorized detentions; Sliwa viewed these incidents as official pressure against the organization.

The Red Beret and Its Symbolic Significance

In 1979, Sliwa began wearing his distinctive red beret. Over time, the beret became both his personal trademark and a symbolic element of the Guardian Angels. Sliwa has worn the red beret regularly for nearly four decades.

Sliwa has stated that he wears the red beret not only for visibility but also to honor six Guardian Angels members who lost their lives while combating crime in the past.

Some critics have assessed the organization as “paramilitary” due to the militaristic impression created by the beret and uniform. However, Sliwa has rejected these criticisms, arguing that the uniform is used solely for deterrence and to build public confidence.

Political Career

2021 New York City Mayoral Election

In 2021, Curtis Sliwa ran for Mayor of New York as the Republican Party candidate. In the general election held on 2 November 2021, he competed against Democratic candidate Eric Adams and eight other candidates. Incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio was ineligible to run again due to term limits.

This election marked the first time in New York City history that the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) system was used. Sliwa ran as the sole Republican candidate. In the final results, Eric Adams received a majority of votes and was elected mayor; Sliwa finished in second place.

2025 New York City Mayoral Election

Sliwa has been nominated by the Republican Party as a candidate in the 2025 New York City mayoral election. In the general election on 4 November 2025, he will compete against Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.

Sliwa’s campaign focuses on public safety, crime prevention, homelessness, mental health services and increasing police staffing.

During his campaign, he has criticized Mamdani’s pro-Palestinian statements and taken a clear position in support of Israel. He also participates annually in the Israel Day Parade.^【1】

On the other hand, his defense of Bernhard Goetz, who shot unarmed Black youths in the past, along with the Guardian Angels’ support for him during that period and even the reenactment of the defendants by some members during the court proceedings, have drawn criticism regarding Sliwa’s approach to criminal justice.