New York City Mayor Eric Adams went to the Nova exhibit on Tuesday in response to Monday night’s pro-Palestinian protests in which they waved Hamas and Hezbollah flags.
At the exhibit, Adams embraced Menashe and Sigal Manzuri, parents of 22-year-old Roya and 25-year-old Norelle who were killed at the Nova festival.Adams also spoke with activist Lizzy Savetsky at the exhibit.
The mayor condemned the protesters on Tuesday during a news conference and in a video statement posted online.“In this country, you must always protect the right to free speech. But I have a moral obligation to speak out,” Adams said in the video. “And the messages that some New Yorkers are sharing go beyond the pale.”
Pro-terror protesters
Adams noted other protests where demonstrators carried banners reading “Long Live October 7” and acknowledged a video gaining traction on social media where a man is seen telling pro-Israeli protesters he wished Hitler was still alive to wipe them out.“These are reprehensible and vile comments. I, and every New Yorker who stands for peace, stand united against them,” he added. “Always speak up for what’s right. And what we saw last night was wrong.”
Since October 8, Adams said there have been more than 1,300 protests in New York City relating to the Israel-Hamas war with more than 2,850 arrests made at these protests alone.
“While peaceful protests will be allowed, New York City will never cower in the face of those trying to divide us,” Adams said. “Hate has no place in our city.”