Bloomberg to Soda Ban Dissidents: 'If You Want to Kill Yourself, I Guess You Have a Right to Do It

Discussion on a proposed ban on sugary drinks over 16 ounces appears to be drowning out any other policy, accomplishments or even mention of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. During a press conference on Monday about creating new housing, Bloomberg vented when asked about an upcoming march in protest of the soda ban.

"If you want to kill yourself, I guess you have a right to do it," Gothamist quotes Bloomberg as saying. "We're trying to do something about that. We've got to do something about this but they can have a march and they can make a joke out of it but there's a story in the post today where the hospitals are having to increase the size of their gurneys and strengthen them— they can't even handle the patients some of the patients are so heavy."

On Monday, a small group of peaceful protesters rallied against the ban on a sidewalk near City Hall Park in what was called "The Million Big Gulp March."

An event organizer and NYC Liberty HQ spokesman Zach Huff told CBS News Monday, "Before, the government was instituted to protect the rights of everyone and prevent crime, and now it's cracking down the rights of everyone."

"It's astonishing we have a mayor who is pro-choice when it comes to what a woman can do with her body but isn't pro-choice with simple choices, like soda container sizes," he added.

According to a recent NY1-Marist poll, 53 percent of New Yorkers oppose the ban, while only 42 percent agree with the proposal. The Blaze has previously covered the flaws and public debate surrounding Bloomberg's proposed soda ban.