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Chamber president stands with other community leaders to denounce attempted assassination of NYPD officers

Monday, February 10, 2020


Chamber president stands with other community leaders to denounce attempted assassination of NYPD officers

 

 

IN WAKE OF ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATIONS OF NYPD OFFICERS IN 41ST PRECINCT, BP ADAMS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS HOLD SOLIDARITY PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

 

New York, NY – Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined business, elected, faith, and union leaders from across the city at a solidarity press conference for public safety at 1 Police Plaza. The event came after a gunman, identified by authorities as Robert Williams, allegedly attempted to assassinate several police officers in two separate attacks that took place in the Bronx’s 41st Precinct on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Two officers were shot, and both were hospitalized with injuries after the attacks.

 

“This past weekend, officers in the 41st Precinct were deliberately targeted in assassination attempts. Two of New York’s Finest were injured in the attacks. My heart goes out to the families of those who were attacked, and I pray for a speedy recovery of the officers currently in the hospital. As a proud member of our law enforcement family, I stand shoulder to shoulder with the public servants on duty today and in the days ahead, amid this challenging time for our city,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “Let’s be clear: These blatant and brazen assassination attempts are tantamount to an assassination of our symbol of public safety. I have said consistently for the last few years that we cannot allow the actions of a hate-minded few to undo the hard-fought public safety gains won by the many in this city. We also cannot dismantle the tools that helped make New York City the safest big city in America. We must be tireless in the pursuit of justice for these heinous attacks, and we thank the brave men and women of the NYPD, who put their lives on the line for us every day to keep us safe."

 

"I offer my prayers and support to the officers who were attacked, and to their families, and join with my fellow elected officials and community advocates to condemn this senseless act of violence, this targeting of the officers who face danger every day in service of our city. When someone loses their life to gun violence, the pain is the same for the families of officers and those they serve alike – thankfully, the officers shot this weekend survived, but the impact is still felt. Now is a leadership moment to unify — not inflame tensions, and we shouldn’t listen to those who do," said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

 

“We will never accept violence. We condemn these attacks on our police officers and I pledge to work to prevent more violence, especially through working with our young people, and addressing mental health issues,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

 

"This can be a unifying moment. The contemptible acts taken against the NYPD this weekend were so heinous this should be a moment to bridge the many divides that exist and spur us to unite in support of humanity, common decency, the rule of law and the men and women of the NYPD. Surely, we can agree on this. Let each of us use ours in this moment for positive, consensus building, common sense support of the public servants who swear an oath to protect and defend us. Kudos to Borough President Adams for gathering us elected officials, clergy, and civic leaders from across the city to share this belief and message," said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo.

 

“We as faith leaders stand together as one community to stand up for our police who protect us with their lives regardless of our race or religion. They are not only our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers; they are our brothers’ and sisters’ saviors,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis.

 

“The greatness of our city lies in the collaborative spirit that exists between the people, our elected officials, and our dedicated police force. We cannot allow hate to divide us. We applaud BP Eric Adams for leading this unified stance against any hate towards our police officers. We continue to pray for their safety, as they serve and protect the people of NYC,” said Dr. Rohann Wellington, English Ministries Coordinator for the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventist.

 

“New York is not New York without the NYPD and our police officers – we all owe them a debt of gratitude. The incredible work of our brave women and men in blue touches all aspects of our society, and we must stand together in support of them. An attack on our police force is an attack on all New Yorkers. Thank you to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo for their leadership on this issue,” said Carlo A. Scissura, President and CEO of the New York Building Congress (NYBC).

 

“The business community stands with our entire community in denouncing the horrific incidents that took place over the weekend,” said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “The world needs to know that it doesn't represent New York City. We stand united.”

 

“The business community recognizes that public safety and prosperity go hand-in-hand, and we applaud the vital work that the NYPD does day-in and day-out on behalf of neighborhoods and shopping districts across the city,” said Rick Russo, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “We thank Borough President Adams for convening us in support of New York’s Finest,” he added.

 

“The NYPD risk their lives daily to make our community and the entire city a safer and better place. We in Downtown Brooklyn rely on their service and sacrifice daily, and it’s essential that we are united in our support and solidarity. We're incredibly thankful that these officers will recover. Thank you to Borough President Adams for bringing us together to support New York’s Finest,” said Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

 

The officers of the NYPD come from and are a part of our community and these individuals take a risk every time they put on their uniform. They are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters of our neighbors and of our own families. Both the Flatbush Avenue BID and the Church Avenue BID support the NYPD and programs like the Neighborhood Coordinating Officer program, which nurtures the relationship between local precincts and the community, and the Explorers, which works with teens to bridge the gap between community and police enforcement,” said Lauren Elvers Collins, Executive Director for the Church Avenue Business Improvement District and Flatbush Avenue BID.

 

"What happened in the Bronx this weekend wasn't an altercation or a crime interrupted. This wasn't an armed robbery gone wrong. These were premeditated assassination attempts on New York City cops. Violence against the men and women of the NYPD is unacceptable. These attacks were reprehensible and should be condemned by all New Yorkers. It takes an extraordinary amount of courage to stare down the unknown every day as a New York City cop. If our own cops aren't safe on the streets of New York City then none of us are safe. Period," said Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn).

 

“Like all New Yorkers I was horrified to learn of the shooting of two New York City police officers. Our men and women in blue are often the unsung heroes working quietly each and every day to ensure the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers. I am thankful that these two officers will recover and I ask all New Yorkers to join me in prayer for the safety of all members of the NYPD,” said Council Member Fernando Cabrera (D-Bronx).

 

“An attack on the police is an attack on all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik (D-Queens). “I stand in solidarity with those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.”

 

“The attempted assassination of New York City police officers this weekend was an attack on our entire city. The NYPD is there when we need them; they save lives and prevent tragedies day in and day out by putting their lives on the line. They are the real-life super heroes that keep this city in order,” said Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan). “Every New Yorker should be standing in solidarity with New York City’s finest during this tough time. New York City residents should know that this type of violence against our police officers will not be tolerated. My prayers go out to the officers who were injured as we hope and pray for their speedy recovery.”

 

“All New Yorkers should feel safe at work — and no one should be targeted for doing their job to protect us. After two tragic incidents over the weekend, we must come together and remember that these actions do not represent New York City. Let’s work to ensure all New Yorkers feel safe on our city’s streets,” said Council Member Keith Powers (D-Manhattan).

 

“I thank the Brooklyn Borough President for his leadership and past service as an NYPD Officer. Today, we must stand united against gun violence, which impacts the lives of all New Yorkers. We must continue to support the brave men and women of the NYPD,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan and The Bronx). “I will continue working with my colleagues and advocates to ensure we improve the community relationships between our officers and our communities. We all have families and loved ones that care for our well-being; no one should be a victim to gun violence.”

 

“This weekend’s shootings are just the latest reminder police officers put their lives on the line to protect our city,” said Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Queens). “Sending thoughts and prayers is a nice sentiment – and it’s important. However, we must also ensure elected officials and political leaders don’t contribute to the problem by creating an atmosphere of lawlessness with over-the-top rhetoric. The lives of our men and women in uniform depend on it.”

 

"I vehemently condemn the reprehensible assassination attempts on our NYPD officers in the Bronx this weekend," said Council Member Paul Vallone (D-Queens). "Today and every day, I stand with New York's Finest, who constantly put their lives on the line to keep our City safe and secure. I wish the officers injured in the attacks a swift recovery and expect this violent perpetrator will be brought to justice."

 

According to authorities, Robert Williams was arrested in 2002 for attempted murder and released on parole in 2017. Mr. Williams was taken into custody following the attacks and is charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and resisting arrest.

 

Borough President Eric Adams was also joined today by Interim Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, Council Member Adrienne Adams (D-Queens), Council Member Robert Cornegy (D-Brooklyn), Council Member Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx), Council Member Mark Levine (D-Manhattan), and Council Member Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn).

 

In addition, 70th District Assembly Leader William Allen, 43rd Assembly District Leader Geoffrey Davis, 50th Assembly District Leader Linda Minucci,43rd Assembly District Leader Shirley Patterson, 47th Assembly District Leader Nancy Tong, former 42nd Assembly District Leader Ed Powell, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. Co-Founder Jackie Rowe Adams, community leader Anthony Thomas, Ironworkers Local 197, DC37, and the Amadou Diallo Foundation were in attendance.

 

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