The New York Metropolis Council’s Ethics Committee on Tuesday blasted Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for bringing a gun to a peaceable protest in 2023 — however voted to not formally take the matter additional.
Committee Chairwoman Sandra Ung slammed Vernikov in a press release learn into the document, saying the Republican Council member displayed a “brazen disregard” for her fellow New Yorkers and public security by bringing her firearm to the pro-Palestinian protest.
“It is incumbent upon me to speak on behalf and express the majority’s deep disappointment with Council member Vernikov’s conduct,” Ung stated, additionally criticizing Vernikov for not providing a public apology.
Vernikov, who represents a number of southern Brooklyn neighborhoods, was arrested and criminally charged hours after bringing her firearm to the 2023 Brooklyn School rally — 5 days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel — which she was counterprotesting. Nonetheless, the fees towards her have been later dropped after police discovered the weapon was lacking a bit, making it inoperable.
“To me, the most insulting part of all of this is the resistance to issue a simple apology and say, ‘I should not have walked into that space with a gun’ … I find it appalling,” Ayala stated through the assembly.
Vernikov, for her half, was unapologetic.
“Carrying a weapon into public assembly, especially an assembly which consists of masked supporters of ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ is not only appropriate, but is necessary,” Vernikov stated in response to the committee’s condemnation, including that she encourages extra New Yorkers to make use of their Second Modification rights when Zohran Mamdani is mayor.
“As Speaker [Adrienne] Adams previously stated, it is unacceptable for a civilian to ever bring a firearm to a rally or protest, and it is important for elected officials to model the behavior we expect of New Yorkers,” Council spokeswoman Julia Agos stated in a press release.
Staten Island Councilman David Carr, the ethics panel’s solely Republican, got here to Vernikov’s protection, saying there was “no evidence” to counsel she meant to threaten or trigger concern by deliberately toting the gun.
He additionally slammed the 2022 state legislation designating many public locations, reminiscent of protest areas and faculty grounds, as “sensitive locations” the place wielding firearms is prohibited.
“I believe restrictions like this that we have here in New York may not endure judicial scrutiny,” Carr stated.
