Superman being taken to the hospital. (Wayne Carrington)
Superman, quit horsing around!
A Bronx oddball known for getting into trouble while dressed as the Man of Steel mounted the George Washington statue in Union Square Park today and launched into a bizarre series of rants, authorities and witnesses said.
Maksim Katsnelson –- whose past antics have included a “protest” against Donald Trump and scuffle with cops in Times Square -– boldly climbed the bronze steed and sat on the saddle in front of America’s first president for about 45 minutes as curious onlookers stared in disbelief, cops and witnesses said.
“He was screaming about the unification of the world. He said, ‘People are fighting to save America, I’m fighting to save the world!’ ” said witness Bob Smith, a blogger.
When a police officer put on climbing gear and attempted to grab Katsnelson, he nimbly moved to a new, higher perch — on Washington’s shoulders.
“He was saying, ‘Free the people! Free Tibet!’ ” said Jessica De La Rosa, 32, a market researcher who works in the neighborhood.
Katsnelson, 25, finally agreed to come down and was immediately strapped to a gurney and brought to Beth Israel Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
He will not be charged, cops said.
In July 2009, Katsnelson also made headlines when he held a one-man protest against The Donald by lying down on the sidewalk in front of Trump International Hotel. That same week, he tussled with officers in the Crossroads of the World after he and a pal adorned in Batman gear were told to quit panhandling.