Guardian Angels in New York City Curtis Sliwa (center) and other members of the Guardian Angels attending WorldPride NYC on June 30, 2019. Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels, a volunteer anti-crime organization, in 1979. Members are known for their signature uniform of a red beret, red jacket, and white T-shirt with the organization's logo of a winged Eye of Providence. (more) Guardian Angels volunteer organization Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Guardian-Angels Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Official Site of Guardian Angels Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Guardian Angels - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Meg Matthias Meg Matthias is Senior Video Production Manager at Encyclopædia Britannica. Meg Matthias Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 19, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who are the Guardian Angels? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Guardian Angels are a nonprofit volunteer organization whose members aim to deter violent crime by patrolling city streets and subway systems." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who founded the Guardian Angels and when? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Curtis Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels in 1979 in New York City. At the time, Sliwa was a 24-year-old night manager of a McDonaldu2019s restaurant in the Bronx." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the Guardian Angels uniform? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Guardian Angels uniform consists of a red beret, black pants, and a white T-shirt or red jacket with a logo of a winged Eye of Providence, an eye inside of a triangle surrounded by rays of light." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What controversy surrounded the Guardian Angels in 2024? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In 2024 Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels were involved in controversy after they physically accosted a man who they wrongly accused of being a u201Cmigrantu201D and a shoplifter. The altercation unfolded on live television as Sliwa and the Guardian Angels were being interviewed by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity. The man who they accosted was in fact a New York City resident and not a migrant. The police found no evidence that he had been shoplifting." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What training do members of the Guardian Angels receive? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Members of the Guardian Angels are trained in self-defense, first aid, mental health empowerment, and homeless outreach. They are not armed during their patrols and travel in groups of eight." } } ] } Top Questions Who are the Guardian Angels? The Guardian Angels are a nonprofit volunteer organization whose members aim to deter violent crime by patrolling city streets and subway systems.

　　Who founded the Guardian Angels and when? Curtis Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels in 1979 in New York City. At the time, Sliwa was a 24-year-old night manager of a McDonald’s restaurant in the Bronx.

　　What is the Guardian Angels uniform? The Guardian Angels uniform consists of a red beret, black pants, and a white T-shirt or red jacket with a logo of a winged Eye of Providence, an eye inside of a triangle surrounded by rays of light.

　　What controversy surrounded the Guardian Angels in 2024? In 2024 Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels were involved in controversy after they physically accosted a man who they wrongly accused of being a “migrant” and a shoplifter. The altercation unfolded on live television as Sliwa and the Guardian Angels were being interviewed by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity. The man who they accosted was in fact a New York City resident and not a migrant. The police found no evidence that he had been shoplifting.

　　What training do members of the Guardian Angels receive? Members of the Guardian Angels are trained in self-defense, first aid, mental health empowerment, and homeless outreach. They are not armed during their patrols and travel in groups of eight.

　　Guardian Angels, nonprofit volunteer organization founded in New York City in 1979 by Curtis Sliwa to deter violent crime by patrolling the city’s streets and subway system. The organization eventually expanded to other cities around the world. Recognized by their uniform of red jackets and berets, the Guardian Angels have alternatively been described as helpful anti-crime crusaders and unlawful vigilantes who target immigrants and people of color. Despite their international presence, they remain strongly identified with their founder, the animal-loving, Brooklyn-born Sliwa. In 2021 and 2025 Sliwa ran for mayor of New York City on the Republican ballot; his 2025 ...(100 of 1011 words)

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