Adams Takes Leadership Role To Unite City Following Police Killings
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams took a leadership role in attempting to tone down rhetoric and unite New Yorkers in sorrow and compassion following Saturday’s execution-style shooting death of two police officers as they sat in their patrol car as a presence in a section of Bedford-Stuyvesant which has seen an uptick in crime and gang activity of late.
The deranged shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, gunned down Police Officers, Wenjian Liu, 32, (Gravesend) and Rafael Ramos, 40, (Cypress Hills), who both lived in the borough, after posting on social media that they were revenge shootings after grand juries exonerated police in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and the choke hold death of Eric Garner in Staten Island.
The incident also took place after several weeks of protests following the lack of an indictment in the Garner death, which included assaults of police officers and some protesters deriding all police as killers and extremists. These incidents, taken together, also led to a meltdown in the relationship between rank and file police and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“In the wake of this tragedy, this is not about one voice; this is about the voice of an entire city crying out for unity. We are asking all New Yorkers to turn this pain into purpose to ensure we send out a very clear and loud message: All lives matter,” said Adams, a former police officer of 22 years.
Adams held two vigils yesterday at the shooting scene and called on protesters calling for reform of the police and judicial system to limit protests until after Liu and Ramos are laid to rest. He also recommended that the mayor and police union chiefs get together and iron out their differences for the good of the city.
In no particular order are the statements of other elected officials taken from emailed releases, their websites and news outlet sources. It should be noted that some lawmakers, while not issuing formal statements did become actively involved in giving comfort such as Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who went to the homes of the slain officers to be with grieving relatives.
Assembly Member Walter Mosley: “Today’s two police officers were shot while on duty in Brooklyn on Tompkins and Myrtle Avenue. Tragically both officers have died. Any violence perpetrated against anyone, in particular gun violence is unacceptable and will never be tolerated. Regardless of the circumstances or climate we live in we must continue to take up the cause of protecting New Yorkers from gun violence. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the officers and the NYPD. ”
Assembly Member Dov Hikind: We are all shocked beyond imagination at the execution-style murder of two New York City police officers. There is no debating peoples’ right to vociferously speak out against whatever they believe to be injustice, whether about the Garner case or any other. However, the malicious, vicious rhetoric directed against entire police departments and police officers in general created the atmosphere that contributed to this tragedy. Much of the rhetoric over the past few weeks has been nothing but unadulterated incitements against the police. I join all New Yorkers in mourning the tragic death of these two men. Our hearts go out to their families.
City Council Member Jumaane Williams: “Tonight, the only thing that should be done is to offer prayers for peace, comfort, healing and support to the families of NYPD Officers Liu and Ramos, who are dealing with unimaginable grief. Two human beings who wore a uniform and took an oath to protect– one a newlywed and one a father and husband– are dead. As we celebrate this holiday season, both families will be mourning this outrageous tragedy. It pains me to hear the officers were executed in the most cowardly fashion imaginable, apparently by someone from out-of-town. No one of good conscience could encourage or tolerate horrors such as what has occurred today. Tomorrow, as the investigation continues and no matter where the facts lead, the memories of this tragedy must serve as an additional guide to any discourse that may soon come.”
City Council Member Robert Cornegy (who represents the district where the shooting took place): “They were just a presence, they weren’t over-policing. They were here as a presence to make the community feel safer.
Public Advocate and Former Brooklyn City Council Member Letitcia James: “Divisive rhetoric will do nothing to honor the dignity of these two fallen officers or sooth the piercing pain of their families. But a demented assassin’s bullet cannot silence the cries for reform. Let us resolve to stop grandstanding, and come together to create a stronger New York. We must talk to each other, and not at each other. We can achieve great things if we recognize our collective humanity. As we prepare for the funerals of two fallen NYPD officers, let us remember the most important thing right now– the Liu and Ramos families. We cannot forget their names. We cannot forget their sacrifice. We cannot let their families down. In the coming days and weeks we will continue the important conversations around policing in our city. Now, however, is a time to grieve and reflect.”
Kings County District Attorney Ken Thompson: “It is with deep sorrow that I join the Mayor, Police Commissioner and all New Yorkers in offering my sincere condolences to the families of Officer Ramos and Officer Liu. As we continue to investigate these senseless acts of violence against two of our city’s heroes, we pray for peace, support the men and women who bravely patrol our streets every day, and mourn for the loss of these two police officers who gave their lives to keep us safe.”
