Mayor Adams is contemplating pulling metropolis contracts for organizations his administration deems antisemitic, he mentioned on CNN Friday.
Adams informed the community’s Wolf Blitzer he desires his new Workplace to Fight Antisemitism to take a look at “any agencies within the city that [are] having any form of procurement contracts with entities that are dealing with hate or antisemitism.”
Adams’ said mission additionally echoes that of President Trump’s Joint Activity Power to Fight Anti-Semitism — which is in search of to crack down on alleged antisemitism in larger schooling by pulling thousands and thousands of {dollars} in funding from universities.
Kayla Mamelak, Adams’ spokeswoman, mentioned defunding organizations isn’t the first objective of the workplace, however added the mayor will not be ruling out the concept. Mamelak rejected any similarities to Trump’s job power, saying the mayor’s workplace goals to take a holistic method by holding conferences and academic programs about antisemitism.
Mamelak additionally pointed to earlier feedback from the mayor on the significance of free speech.
The mayor’s feedback additionally come after the cancellation of a Kehlani live performance in Central Park associated to “security concerns” over the singer’s help of Palestine, the place First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro warned the group internet hosting the present that its operational license may very well be revoked.
Adams, who’s in search of reelection this yr on an impartial “EndAntiSemitism” poll line, mentioned Tuesday he launched the workplace in response to an increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes.
“This rise in hate against Jewish New Yorkers is deeply alarming and must end now,” Mamelak mentioned. “Mayor Adams’ Office to Combat Antisemitism will focus on proactive, upstream solutions to address the root causes of this hate.”
The brand new workplace is solely staffed by its govt director, though an administration supply mentioned plans are underway to rent extra employees.
In addition to his veiled funding threats, Adams mentioned Thursday the workplace will suggest laws to the Metropolis Council to enact a “complete ban” on sporting masks in public, and he linked the necessity for such a ban to pro-Palestine protests within the metropolis.
