Mayor Adams is contemplating pulling metropolis contracts for organizations his administration deems antisemitic, he mentioned on CNN Friday.
Adams instructed the community’s Wolf Blitzer he needs 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 searching for to crack down on alleged antisemitism in increased training by pulling hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in funding from universities.
Kayla Mamelak, Adams’ spokeswoman, mentioned defunding organizations isn’t the first purpose of the workplace, however added the mayor just isn’t ruling out the thought. Mamelak rejected any similarities to Trump’s job power, saying the mayor’s workplace goals to take a holistic strategy 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 assist of Palestine, the place First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro warned the group internet hosting the present that its operational license could possibly be revoked.
Adams, who’s searching for reelection this 12 months on an unbiased “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 government director, though an administration supply mentioned plans are underway to rent extra employees.
Moreover 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 related the necessity for such a ban to pro-Palestine protests within the metropolis.
