continue to put dangerous
inmates back in
the same housing areas
where they are attacking
innocent officers
and those prisoners
who’re trying to serve
their time.”
In his first few weeks
on the job, Adams has
earned praise of supporters
from around
the city including James
Merriman, CEO of the
New York City Charter
School Center.
“Eric Adams has always
said that he
considered charter
schools and their students
to be partners
in the larger fight for
great K-12 schools,”
Merriman said. “After
the tragic fire in the
Bronx, he immediately
showed he meant it by
visiting both affected
district and charter
schools—offering all
of the family’s city
services. That’s leadership.
We believe he
will follow that blueprint
during his administration.”
Brooklyn Democratic
Party Chairperson
Rodneyse Bichotte
lauded Adams as a
champion for Brooklyn
bringing that same
commitment and energy
to the entire city.
“For decades, he has
been ‘getting stuff
done’ by uplifting,
uniting, and empowering
everyone in our borough—
especially the
marginalized and overlooked,”
Bichotte said.
“Now he is leading the
City’s recovery by combating
crime, cleaning
up our streets, reviving
our economy, and
tackling the pandemic.
It’s a great new era for
New York with Adams
as Mayor.”
We asked Mayor Adams
to reflect on his career
and the challenges
that lie ahead for him
and the city.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 32 JAN. 21-27, 2022 BTR
Q.) When the race was
officially called in your
favor on Election Night
last year, what went
through your mind?
Can you explain what
it meant for you to be
elected as mayor of
America’s largest city?
Adams: It was an incredibly
meaningful
moment for me. That
night, I ref lected on
my journey, which began
on the f loor of the
103rdPrecinct in southeast
Queens, where
my brother and I were
beaten by police when
I was 15 years old.
From my 22 years in
the police department
to my career in elected
office, first as a state
senator, then as the first
Black Brooklyn borough
president, I have
always been committed
to serving the people of
this city. Being elected
mayor is the culmination
of a long journey
in public service, and
I’m deeply humbled by
the faith New Yorkers
have placed in me.
PHOTO BY TSUBASA BERG
Mayor-elect Eric Adams speaks at his victory party, Nov. 2, 2021.
PHOTO BY DONNA ACETOI
Adams participating in the Park Slope Pride parade.
FILE PHOTO
Adams at a 2014 Black History Month celebration with Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna
Q&A