New York City Mayor Eric Adams has strongly condemned the antisemitism and hate speech witnessed during the ongoing protests at Columbia University. In a statement released on Sunday, Mayor Adams expressed his horror and disgust at the incidents unfolding on campus.
The protests, which have entered their fifth consecutive day, have seen over 100 arrests. However, it is the blatant antisemitic acts that have drawn widespread attention and concern. Examples include a young woman holding a sign with an arrow pointing to Jewish students, stating “Al-Qasam’s Next Targets.” Another incident involved a woman yelling, “We are Hamas,” while groups of students chanted, “We don’t want no Zionists here”.
Mayor Adams’s statement leaves no room for ambiguity. He condemns this hate speech in the strongest of terms and emphasizes that supporting a terrorist organization aiming to kill Jews is both sickening and despicable. As the mayor of the city with the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, he recognizes the pain these protests are causing Jews across the globe, especially as Passover approaches.
However, Mayor Adams also acknowledges the right to peaceful protest. While Columbia University is a private institution on private property, the New York Police Department (NYPD) cannot have a presence on campus unless specifically requested by senior university officials. Nevertheless, the NYPD maintains an increased presence around the campus to protect students and New Yorkers on nearby public streets. They stand ready to respond if another request is made by the university, as they did when successfully clearing encampments on Columbia’s South Lawn without any injuries.
In this moment of heightened tension globally, Mayor Adams’s message is clear: hate has no place in our city. New Yorkers have every right to express their sorrow, but that heartbreak does not justify harassing or threatening others or physically harming those with differing opinions. The conflict in the Middle East has left many grieving and angry, but unity against hate remains paramount.
As the situation unfolds, Mayor Adams urges Columbia University’s senior administration officials to maintain an open line of communication with the NYPD. Ensuring the safety of all students and staff on campus, as well as that of all New Yorkers, is of utmost importance. The ongoing conflict should not be exploited by professional agitators seeking to sow chaos and division in the city.
In summary, Mayor Adams’s unequivocal stance against hate speech and antisemitism sends a powerful message: New York City will not tolerate lawlessness, and unity prevails even in times of tension and grief.
