Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Chris Christie Yells At Protester To "Sit Down And Shut Up"
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 30, 2014
Modified Oct 30, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
View all 14
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 30, 2014
Modified Oct 30, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If you thought Bridgegate might have softened NJ Governor Chris Christie's reputation for being a bullying dick, you thought wrong: At a Hurricane Sandy anniversary event in Belmar, he unloaded on a protester, telling him to "Sit down and shut up."
The demonstrator, Jim Keady, had interrupted Christie's speech to protest the slow pace of rebuilding and recovery from the hurricane. According to the Star-Ledger, he "interrupted Gov. Chris Christie's speech to Belmar residents several times," prompting Christie's retort.
As Christie began to speak, Keady, who runs an advocacy organization called Finish the Job, held a sign and shouted: “Do your job!"
"Yeah, you do yours, too, buddy,” Chrisite shot back, and continued speaking.
But the heckler wasn't standing down, and continued his tirade.
"Now, you all know me," said Christie. “So if we're going to get into a debate here today, it's going to get very interesting and very fun."
He wasn't kidding.
“I'll be more than happy to have a debate with you anytime you like, guy, because somebody like you doesn’t know a damn thing about what you're talking about except to stand up and show off when the cameras are here. I've been here when the cameras aren't here, buddy, and done the work. ... Turn around, get your fifteen minutes of fame, and then, maybe, take your jacket off, roll up your sleeves, and do something for the people of this state."
Keady, who said he is a lifelong resident, continued, "I was here for a month after Sandy, and ..."
Christie finished Keady's sentence for him.
" ... and there's been 23 months since then, when all you've been doing is flapping your mouth and not doing anything. So listen, you want to have the conversation later? I'm happy to have it, buddy. But until that time, sit down and shut up."
Keady did invite Christie for dinner, but Christie said, "There's about a thousand things I'll do tonight. Going to dinner with you is about number 1,001," and later said, "You see, that's why I love this state: The reason I love this state is because you got characters who are willing to do that kind of thing. Good; I'm thrilled for him. Stand up, yell and scream, do your thing. But here's the bottom line. You gotta do work."
Christie has blamed the slow disbursement of recovery funds on the feds. 2016, everyone!
Tagged
Chris Christie
heckler
hurricane sandy
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .