[ad_1]
“We all know you’ve been investigated for corruption everywhere you’ve been.”
June 3, 2021, 5:50 a.m.
7 minutes to read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSend this article
New York’s Democratic mayoral candidates clashed Wednesday night in a primary debate as they outlined their plans to respond to an upsurge in crime.
It was the first in-person debate for the eight qualified Democratic candidates – a previous debate had taken place virtually. He intervened 10 days before the start of the early primary vote, on June 12.
Progressive candidates have collectively distanced themselves from the details of their New York Police Department reallocation plans. This is a marked change from the previous debate in May, in which several candidates bragged about the amount of money they planned to divert from the ministry.
This time they spoke in more general terms. Former HUD secretary Shaun Donovan, who pledged to divert $ 3 billion from the criminal justice system, said the mayor should be “focused on both security and respect.”
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer said, “Police matter, but do it fairly and equitably. “
Maya Wiley, former advisor to Bill de Blasio, who pledged to redirect $ 1 billion from NYPD to schools, called for “smart policing.”
Democratic New York mayoral candidates participate in a mayoral debate hosted by WABC in New York City on June 2, 2021.
Other more moderate candidates have declared their opposition to the notion of police funding and instead called for more investment in law enforcement.
“Police funding is not the right approach for New York City,” former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said.
“We have gone from a COVID pandemic to an epidemic of gun violence,” Garcia said calling for efforts to stem the proliferation of illegal guns in the city.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a former police officer, has come under heavy attack in his defense of the stop and search and past comments that if elected he would wear a firearm. Adams has also linked public safety to the pandemic recovery.
Democratic New York mayoral candidates participate in a mayoral debate hosted by WABC in New York City on June 2, 2021.
“No one comes to New York in our multi-billion dollar tourism industry if you have 3-year-olds shot in Times Square,” Adams said. He later added: “If we want to turn our economy around, we have to make this city a safe city. “
Some of the most intense moments were the beards traded between Adams and Yang, who were seen as favorites in the crowded field. Adams called Yang uncommitted and unprepared to rule the country’s largest city, while Yang attacked Adams’ integrity, referring to allegations of corruption.
Andrew Yang, Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, speaks at an Asian hate crimes rally in New York’s Chinatown in Manhattan on June 2, 2021.
“You weren’t in the field, you started discovering NYCHA when you were running for mayor – you discovered the violence when you started running for mayor,” Adams said. “You cannot run away from the city if you want to rule the city.”
“We all know you have been investigated for corruption wherever you have been,” Yang said. He later added: “You have reached the rare trifecta of corruption investigations.”
Among the mayoral candidates, a few have emerged as serious candidates in the home stretch of the campaign which has been largely overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to Yang and Adams, former New York City Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia has gained momentum after endorsements from the New York Times and New York Daily News.
Wiley has emerged as a leading progressive choice after New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s campaign was marred by an allegation of sexual assault and the campaign of former nonprofit executive Dianne Morales failed after a staff strike accusing Morales of preventing workers from organizing. Stringer denied the allegation and Morales said she had made an effort to meet the needs of her staff.
Maya Wiley, Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, campaigns in Brooklyn, New York on June 2, 2021.
The Democratic candidates will face each other in another debate ahead of the June 22 primary. This debate will take place on June 16.
The two Republican candidates will debate on June 6 on ABC-owned station WABC-TV.
[ad_2]
picture credit