Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on WNBC's 'News 4 NY'

May 7, 2024

Adam Kuperstein: We are pleased to have joining us right now live New York City Mayor Eric Adams on a very busy news day. Mayor, it is great to have you back on News 4.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you very much for having me.

Gilma Avalos: Mr. Mayor, we want to start with that rare shooting in SoHo. It's claimed the life of a teenager, a 16-year-old. Police are now looking for what appear to be other teenagers on a bike. What have you learned at this point and do if this was targeted?

Mayor Adams: It appears to have been. I'm still getting updated information from the Police Department. It's an unfortunate situation. It just really drives down why we have been pursuing removing these guns off our street. Over 13,000 removed but we think that this is involving some type of dispute. We will have more information later

Kuperstein: Mayor, the NYPD just offered a $10,000 reward for info about the suspects who vandalized a war memorial in Central Park. As you know, it's just the latest disruption in the city caused by now almost daily protests. Are you concerned that this is damaging the perception of the city and if so what can you do about it?

Mayor Adams: This is a resilient city. We all know that, and I offered personally $5,000 for the arrest and conviction and now it is up to $15,000 that's being awarded. We have some photos that we're examining at this time but I just want to be extremely clear. It's more than just what's happening here in our city. When you desecrate our war memorials, when you burn our flag, when you call for death to America, you have now transitioned from merely exercising your right to protest. There's a clear element that is attempting to what I believe, one, trying to radicalize our young people and number two, try to push the agenda of increasing level of disruption in the city and we're just going to make sure it's managed and kept under control.

Avalos: Mr. Mayor, on the heels of protests Columbia canceled its big commencement ceremony and announced it yesterday. You said we shouldn't allow anything to disturb our normal way of life. Do you think the university could have safely carried out this ceremony?

Mayor Adams: I respect their decision. I know they could safely carry it out. We would have done everything in our powers to make sure just as you saw yesterday when there was an attempt to disrupt the Met, a large Met event that took place yesterday at the Metropolitan Museum.

This is what the New York City Police Department does so well. How do you manage from attempted disruption to our Thanksgiving Day parade to tree lightings. We are well aware of when people attempt to do that and we know how to put the strategies in place. So I respect the decision but I do want us to keep in mind this is the same group of young people who saw COVID disrupt their graduation ceremony from high school and it's just unfortunate. Graduation is just a time when we reflect and we have years of memories and I'm really saddened by the fact that these young people won't be able to experience that.

Kuperstein: I can't imagine as a parent, I can't imagine those being my children. Mayor, you are headed to Italy this weekend for a conference and you're scheduled to meet with the Pope. This is a big deal. What do you plan to say to the Pope?

Mayor Adams: Just continue to pray for our globe. I am extremely excited, the millions of those who are Catholic in this city and those who really celebrate all or acknowledge religions. Many people know I lean into my faith often. I believe that it was placed on my heart to do the work that I'm doing and I'm excited about being an opportunity to go and meet the Pope. I also have a speaking role to play there to talk about some of the things we're facing across the globe. New York City is the global city and I am extremely excited about this trip.

Avalos: Mr. Mayor, we thank you for your time.

Kuperstein: Safe travel.

Mayor Adams: Thank you. Take care.

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