An Adams administration official whose mission is to promote “unity” and bridge “cultural divides” has come under fire for allegedly tearing down posters of Israeli hostages and assaulting an enraged witness, the Post reported. I found out from the paper report.
Special Projects and Community Events Nara Sutherland, special events coordinator for the mayor's office, was spotted earlier this month ripping posters off utility poles on the Upper East Side, tearing them up, and throwing them in the trash. According to a video posted online by the nonprofit organization Stop Antisemetism.
“This is a horrifying act of anti-Semitism,” said Liora Rez, the nonprofit's founder, calling on Adams to fire Sutherland immediately.
But Sutherland, 25, received only a slap on the wrist from her boss, a requirement to undergo “multicultural training” and a disciplinary note added to her permanent work file, city officials said in a post. told the paper.
The footage of the Nov. 2 incident at the corner of York Avenue and East 84th Street begins with Sutherland tearing down the poster and throwing it in the trash.
“Is there any reason to remove them?” as part of a public art campaign to raise awareness of the Israeli and American hostages captured by Hamas in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on the Jewish state. , asked witnesses about the poster.
“Those were hostages. They were taken by terrorists,” the witness added, according to 20 seconds of footage he recorded.
The video then shows Sutherland walking towards the man and swiping his phone with his right hand, briefly out of focus.
“That's just assault. You know that, right? The video shows the man responding to Ms. Sutherland and Ms. Sutherland walking away grinning.
Ms. Sutherland began working for Mr. Adams, an ardent supporter of Israel, in 2023. Records show she earns $61,135 a year helping organize the celebrations he hosts at Gracie Mansion and other venues honoring the city's diverse ethnicities.
Her job is to “support major city initiatives that bridge cultural divides and provide sources of strength, unity, and resiliency for New Yorkers in all communities within the five boroughs and beyond.” I am a member of the team. According to her office's website.
The secretariat planned it in May. Adams Hosts Jewish Heritage Celebration At Gracie Mansion. Guest speakers included Shoshan Haran, who was taken hostage by Hamas along with his daughter and two grandchildren and released after 50 days.
“It is deeply hypocritical that someone who supports the murder of others is still at work when we cannot tolerate the innocent Jews abducted by Hamas, let alone our city’s commitment to diversity.” “It's extremely hypocritical to be in a department that plays such an important role in this.” City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn) was informed of Sutherland's actions.
“Decisive action must be taken to purge this disgusting pro-jihadist sentiment from the 'city government' once and for all,” added Vernikov, who is Jewish.
The witness, who is Jewish, did not report the incident to authorities, but asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation given the spike in anti-Semitic incidents across the state.
“It's a sad situation when victims don't trust the New York City Police Department to properly investigate hate crimes or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who specializes in criminal software,” Rez said. “There is no trust in authorities to keep victims safe.”
City officials first learned about the incident several weeks ago, when a tipster saw a video posted by Sutherland and recognized him. Deactivate Antisemetism social media accountssaid the official.
The same “multicultural training” that Sutherland received will be required of all special projects and community events staff in the mayor's office to prevent similar hateful acts in the future, city officials said.
Mr Sutherland is a “junior employee” and does not communicate directly with Mr Adams as part of his job, the source added.
“Mayor Adams has made it clear that there is no place for hate in our city, and the same standard, if not more, should be applied to our city's more than 300,000 employees.” the mayor's office said.
“That is why disciplinary action was taken immediately after we learned of this incident several weeks ago.”
Ms. Sutherland did not return messages.
Yoav Davis, activist and founder Jews of New York I was surprised that Sutherland continued to work.
“It is especially disturbing to learn that someone employed in the Mayor's Office, especially one who celebrates the diversity of our city, is directly connected to this culture of hate,” he said. Ta.
Additional reporting by Khristina Narizhnaya.
