New York: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said that the City provides its citizens with complete religious freedom, and reiterated his resolve that there would be no room for any kind of hatred in the amazing city which is home to hundreds of millions of people representing various religions, costs, colors and ethnic backgrounds.
In an exclusive interview with Voice of South Asia (VOSA), Eric Adams said: “We must create an environment where people are allowed to peacefully voice their right to protest without being violent and without being discourteous and disrespectful to each other. I will lead from the front to maintain mutual coexistence in the city”
Here is the detailed interview description
Question: New York City is facing a migrant influx, as you told at the previous conference more than 2000 immigrants are coming to the city every week and it might face a financial deficit of $12 billion in the next year. What’s your management plan to overcome this major issue?
Answer: Thank you so much. We are making our all-out efforts to manage the national crisis that has fallen on the backs of New York City taxpayers. It’s unfair to the taxpayers and it’s unfair to the migrants and asylum seekers. When you look at the numbers you just mentioned, we have seen numbers from 2000 to up to 4000 coming in a week. We have had over 145,000 asylum seekers have come into our city. We have opened more than 210 emergency shelters in response to this crisis, including 18 large scale humanitarian shelters. This has been a real financial strain on our city. We have spent $2 billion this fiscal year so far. A total of $5 billion would be required for the whole year and $12 billion over three fiscal years. The federal government should step up and help us to cope with the immigrant crisis. They must have a decompression strategy so that the burden managed with support of other cities. Over 50% of the people who have come to NYC are being provided services and resources that they need.
Question: You have already been facing an FBI inquiry on alleged election funding from Turkey, and now another one on the surface about an alleged sexual assault. Although, your spokesperson has categorically denied these allegations as baseless, what is your take on this? Are you really in trouble?
Ans: Well, I think one has to face such accusations as the portfolio of NYC Mayor is a big deal for anyone who assumes the charge. Previous mayors have gone through inquiries as well, and so do I. But the role of NYC Mayor is crucial for the development of the city and wellbeing of its citizens. Such inquiries will not dent my commitment and dedication to serve the city. “I am loyal to my portfolio and my people.” I clearly state that I follow the rules. That is my number one quote that I say all the time. We follow the rules here. And we want the same that the Southern District and the FBI should follow. We want real transparency and to come to a conclusion of exactly what the allegations are. I am a mayor and a public servant and will continue to follow the rules. That is what I do, and we’re going to continue to be as cooperative as possible.
Question: Mr. Mayor, since the emergence of Hamas-Israel conflict, we have seen thousands of the protesters taking to New York City streets. These protests are either being conducted by the Muslim or the Jewish community, both communities are your voters. How will you maintain the law and order under such circumstances?
Ans: It’s so important we must create an environment where people are allowed to peacefully voice their right to protest without being violence and without being discourteous and disrespectful to each other. We saw an incident where women threw coffee at Palestinian demonstrators. That is unacceptable. We saw what happened in Vermont when three young men were shot. There’s no room for hatred here in this country or this city. I’m going to continue to lead from the front. When I sit and speak to my Muslim leaders, they state that how many of their family members are afraid, particularly the women, to wear hijab without being really confronted in a very disrespectful manner. And I hear the same thing for my Jewish constituents. Many of them are afraid to wear ‘yamaka’ in the subway system because of the fear of being assaulted or attacked. We’re seeing increases in both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I believe that we need to do three things. Firstly, we need to engage our youth so that they can be part of the solutions that are in front of us. Secondly, we need to have a real pushback on social media. Social media is spreading using algorithm and other methodologies. A lot of the anger people are seeing, and mistruths that are out there. We need to make sure that we peacefully protest. We’ve had over 400 protests in this city on both sides of this issue, and we have been able to allow people to protest peacefully without damage to property and without serious injuries to individuals or participating in their protests of support or anti of any given issue.
Question: You are the only mayor in the history of the New York City who has allowed Muslim community to use the loudspeaker for the Adhan, and the entire community is praising this wonderful decision. Do you have more plans to facilitate the Muslim community?
Ans: Well, when you look at the rich history, I have with the Muslim community; I keep saying over and over again, I’m not a new friend. I’m an old friend. I was there in 2001 when young Muslims men were round up on Coney Island Avenue, and I stood at the federal penitentiary there on 30th street calling for them to be released. I was there on the Senate floor when I was a state senator fighting against Senator Greg Ball, who was Islamophobic. I was also there when a woman was attacked for wearing a hijab riding a bus over into Staten Island. I stood with supporters and others to show my solidarity for the Muslim community. I walked the streets with my Muslim brothers and sisters, and I joined the Yemenis community when there was a ban by Donald Trump, who had a Muslim ban. I opened up City Hall and we demonstrated together to show our support for solidarity. And so when you look at the Adhan’s (call to prayers) that is just one of the many things I have done. I did everything from halal food in our schools to open spaces in our governmental buildings to allow prayers to take place for my Muslim community here. I understand what it is to live in a multicultural environment like New York and allow all faiths to be able to celebrate their faith, because we are a city of faith, and I am a strong believer in faith. I’m a believer in God. And I believe every group should have the right to support and acknowledge their faith in a peaceful way.
Question: Would you like to give any special message to the VOSA’s viewers, and readers?
Ans: Yes, I’m an old friend of this community, an old friend of all the communities of faith. The men and women of the Sikh community, they would tell you how long I’ve been around them. The men and women of the Christian community, of the Buddhist community. I traveled with Buddhist to pray throughout several parts of the globe, the Jewish community. I’ve stood in synagogues and other places of worship. I walk through your mosque and understand what it is to celebrate Ramadan and have days of celebration down in Gracie Mansion. And so we must navigate this together. I think it’s imperative that our children should know each other, that we should break bread together, and that we should make sure that we continue to lift up our city and send the right message. There’s no room for hate in this amazing city that we live in.
