MANHATTAN, New York—What was initially a crowd of hundreds protesting against vaccine mandates and biased media had grown to thousands by 1 p.m. on Saturday in the heart of New York City. On adjacent corners in Times Square, people of almost all ethnic backgrounds could be seen holding signs demanding “bodily autonomy” and a pro-choice stance with regard to COVID-19 vaccines and mandates, along with statements that suggested their views are being suppressed. At the main rally site, “trap” music bounced off the buildings of Times Square. The lyrics expressed defiance against vaccine mandates and tyranny as the crowd grew at a pace of about a dozen people per minute. Some passersby scoffed once they realized it was an anti-vaccine rally while others looked intrigued. “Let’s go Brandon!” was chanted, referencing a joke targeting President Joe Biden and legacy media. The event, “NYC—Broadway Rally For Freedom,” featured a series of speeches, including Robert …