New Yorkers Unite Against Mayor Adams, Call on Governor Hochul for Removal
New York City, February 16, 2025 – In a rainy Lower Manhattan rally, around 200 New Yorkers gathered under the arch next to the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building. Their mission: to demand the removal of Mayor Eric Adams from office. The protesters, representing a coalition of activist groups including Food & Water Watch, New York Communities for Change, Make the Road New York, Rise and Resist, and Jews For Racial and Economic Justice, voiced their concerns over the embattled mayor’s alleged ties to former President Donald Trump.
The call for action comes amidst a growing controversy surrounding Mayor Adams, who has been accused of potentially sacrificing the interests of New Yorkers in exchange for the dismissal of criminal charges. The Justice Department’s motion to drop the five-count indictment against Adams “without prejudice” has raised suspicions that the mayor may be collaborating with the federal government to facilitate mass deportations, a move that could jeopardize the safety and well-being of immigrant communities in the city.
Alícia Nascimento, political director for New York Communities for Change, expressed the urgency of the situation, highlighting the implications of a potential deal between Adams and Trump. Nascimento described Adams as being “held hostage” by the former president, suggesting that the mayor’s acquiescence to dropping corruption charges could pave the way for increased federal intervention in New York’s sanctuary city policies.
Protesters raised questions about Mayor Adams’ leadership capabilities, particularly in the wake of U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon’s resignation and her allegations of a “quid pro quo” arrangement between Adams’ legal team and the Trump Justice Department. Despite Adams’ denials of any wrongdoing, his recent appearance alongside Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has only fueled suspicions of collusion.
Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (D-Manhattan) emphasized the profound impact of Mayor Adams’ actions on immigrant communities, noting the fear and uncertainty that have gripped residents following the mayor’s controversial directives. Epstein called for immediate action, urging Governor Kathy Hochul to either compel Adams to resign or take the necessary steps to remove him from office.
Zohran Mamdani, Queens Assembly member and Democratic socialist candidate for mayor, echoed Epstein’s sentiments, labeling Adams as a “walking emergency” and urging swift intervention from Governor Hochul. Mamdani stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that every day Adams remains in power poses a potential threat to the city’s values and integrity.
In addition to demanding Mayor Adams’ removal, demonstrators also called on Governor Hochul to sign The New York for All Act, a legislative proposal aimed at safeguarding immigrant rights and preventing state and local agencies from collaborating with federal immigration authorities. The Act, introduced by Brooklyn state Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Bronx Assembly Member Karines Reyes, seeks to uphold sanctuary policies and protect vulnerable communities across New York state.
As the rally culminated in a march to the United States Federal Court House, the resounding message from New Yorkers was clear: Mayor Adams must go, and Governor Hochul must act decisively to uphold the values of inclusivity and justice that define the city of New York. The fate of Adams, the integrity of New York’s sanctuary laws, and the future of immigrant communities hang in the balance, awaiting a swift and resolute response from the state’s highest authorities.
