CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org 

VOCAL-NY BLASTS MAYOR ADAMS’ STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IN LIGHT OF INCREASINGLY UNDEMOCRATIC ACTIONS 

NEW YORK — Today, in response to Mayor Adams’ State of the City address, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Jawanza Williams, Director of Organizing with VOCAL-NY:

“Mayor Eric Adams has so far shown that he is more interested in fear-mongering, stigmatizing, villainizing and criminalizing vulnerable people than actually putting forward a vision to solve the social issues New Yorkers are facing. 

The Mayor used the word ‘homeless’ once – a reflection of having no meaningful plan to rapidly rehouse New Yorkers, while refusing to implement the CityFHEPS laws that went into effect on January 9. Mayor Adams is increasingly anti-democratic. He stifles the freedoms of the press and threatens protesters with increased policing, but is shockingly silent on consistent demonstrations by noted violent White Nationalist group, Patriot Front. 

We’ve long called for investments in housing, care, and services that meet people where they’re at, but we’re met with austerity budgets, vetoes, and misinformation. That’s why the New York City Council has our full support in checking this mayor and standing up for the countless constituents who have voiced concerns.”

And finally, we stand in solidarity with the young person who had the courage to interrupt Adams’ speech to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, alongside thousands of New Yorkers who have demonstrated for months.”

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