Mayor Criticizes Successor for Skipping Flight 587 Memorial
Mayor Eric Adams expressed disappointment toward Zoran Mamdani for his absence at Wednesday’s memorial service, which commemorated the 24th anniversary of the Flight 587 crash. Adams emphasized the importance of symbolism in the mayor’s role, saying it would have sent a strong message if Mamdani had attended.
Adams noted, “Being mayor is both substantive and symbolic. Sure, tackling crime and housing is crucial, but we also must acknowledge the pain of families affected by tragedies like this.” He believed that Mamdani’s presence would have shown a commitment to continuing support for the victims’ families.
Interestingly though, Adams himself skipped the memorial last year, choosing to send a representative. He stated, “When families are in pain, we need to show we’re standing with them.”
The tragic event unfolded on November 12, 2001, when an American Airlines plane crashed in Queens, killing all 260 aboard, as well as five individuals on the ground. For families of the victims, Mamdani’s absence was unsettling. Joe Fogarty, whose brother-in-law lost his life in the crash, remarked, “I expected to meet him today. We thought he would come.” His wife echoed the sentiment, insisting, “He absolutely should have been here.”
Belkis Rola, who lost her brother in the crash, expressed her concerns about the future leadership, saying, “I worry whether the new mayor will support us.” She appreciated Adams’ attendance, noting her history of collaboration with mayors since Rudy Giuliani, the event’s initial organizer.
As for Mamdani’s team, there was no immediate comment regarding his absence. In the past, relatives criticized former Mayor Bill de Blasio for being tardy to memorials, feeling that he had disrespected them. Some local news sources even critiqued Adams for prioritizing a political conference over the memorial last year.
While it wasn’t clear whether Adams was acting as the successor at the event, attendees acknowledged his support over the years. Fogarty reflected, “I think it’s great that Mayor Adams has been with us since the beginning. I remember meeting him right after the tragedy, as we were helping with DNA testing for the victims.” His ongoing support was appreciated by many in the community.
