On Tuesday, a small group of protesters interrupted Mayor Eric Adams' speech, storming the stage and accusing the mayor of caring more about the needs of the real estate lobby than the needs of working-class New Yorkers.
Protesters moved within arm's reach of Mr. Adams and chanted, “How much money are you taking from the rich?” before they were forcibly removed by police officers.
This surreal encounter, which took place at 583 Park Avenue, a historic building now used as an event space, was held at a “power breakfast” held by the Society for a Better New York City. This surprised business leaders. A one-page flyer with a photo of the mayor titled “New York City's Accomplishments'' was placed on every attendee's table.
The flyer centers around themes familiar from many of the mayor's recent appearances, focusing on increasing jobs and decreasing some crime, key points the mayor reiterated in his speech. It has become.
Mr. Adams also announced progress on a large office tower being financed by Vornado Realty Trust and Citadel founder Ken Griffin. The mayor said the new building, like the Empire State Building a generation ago, shows confidence in the city's future, even as Manhattan's office market remains depressed.
“This building is an investment,” the mayor said, advancing the idea that the new skyscraper is further evidence that New York has fully recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. “It means we believe in our city.”
Mr. Adams fired the protesters from a group called . planet over profit, as a handful of opponents were simply trying to make noise and stop the city's progress. According to X's social media profile, the group focuses on how the wealthiest Americans are “depriving us of a livable future.”
According to police sources, four people were taken into custody. It is unclear whether they will face criminal charges.
The episode underscored the mayor's tensions as he tries to rally a coalition of working-class New Yorkers and business leaders ahead of what is sure to be a competitive Democratic primary next year.
Adams is seeking to reverse the administration's unfavorable budget cuts to libraries and schools, even as he faces a 2021 campaign and a federal investigation into decades of sexual assault allegations. Regardless, it is certain that the primary election will focus on the mayor's management. What the city looks like as it emerges from the pandemic.
Scott Stringer, a former comptroller who is seeking to run for mayor again, sent a fundraising email questioning Adams' management. Last week's email said Mr. Adams brought a “wrecking ball” to critical city services.
“I would campaign a little less and govern more,” Stringer said of the mayor's speech. “If building the second coming of the Empire State Building is a priority, New Yorkers are in trouble because we are facing an affordability crisis.”
Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabian Levy dispersed the protesters after the mayor's speech.
“He's the mayor of New York,” Levy said with a shrug, “8.3 million people, 35 million opinions.”
Andrew Lane, chairman of the Citizens' Budget Committee, was in the audience during Adams' speech. The organization recently released a survey that found many New Yorkers are dissatisfied with the quality of life and services in the city. Still, he said the mayor's push for New York City was to be expected.
“He has to talk about all the good things that are happening right now because the more New Yorkers believe in New York, the better we will be,” Lane said. “That doesn't mean everything is perfect.”
At an unrelated news conference after his speech, the mayor said he saw protesters carrying placards come up to the stage, but was unfazed by their presence.
“No banner scares me,” Adams said.
dana rubinstein Contributed to the report.
