Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams calls on New Yorkers to reject federal army intervention
Picture by John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Over 100 New York Metropolis unions, civil rights teams and neighborhood organizations launched a citywide marketing campaign Thursday to “protect and prepare” the town from potential federal or army intervention, calling on New Yorkers to hyperlink arms within the years forward to maintain President Donald Trump’s “hands off” the town.
The Palms Off NYC marketing campaign — backed by the town’s largest labor unions and civic teams, together with 1199SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York Immigration Coalition — held a rally at Metropolis Corridor Park alongside elected officers to unveil what organizers described as a coordinated effort to coach residents, construct neighborhood communication networks and mount a nonviolent protection if President Donald Trump deploys Nationwide Guard troops to the town.
“American cities are under attack by the Trump administration,” the coalition’s assertion reads. “Instead of investing in schools, hospitals, and public services, taxpayer dollars are being spent to send National Guard troops and ICE agents into our communities — ripping families apart and targeting working people.”
The rally got here as tensions between the White Home and Democratic-led cities intensified. The Trump administration has repeatedly signaled it could ship Nationwide Guard troops to New York and different Democratic-led city facilities.
Trump has additionally indicated that the town may very well be in his crosshairs if voters elect democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, the frontrunner within the election, on Nov. 4.
Audio system famous that current confrontations between federal brokers and residents in Chicago have heightened considerations that related incidents may happen in New York, making preparations extra pressing.
This week, Trump intensified his feud with Illinois leaders, urging the jailing of Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing them of not backing federal brokers, and calling for elevated safety at federal buildings.
Trump has additionally floated utilizing American cities as “training grounds” for the armed forces and mentioned he’s contemplating invoking the Rebellion Act — a hardly ever used measure that may enable the president to deploy army forces domestically.
‘Not about safety’
Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander addresses the gang at Metropolis Corridor Park, framing the ‘Hands Off NYC’ marketing campaign as a part of New York’s lengthy legacy of resistance in opposition to federal overreach.Picture by Adam Daly
Backing the coalition at Thursday’s rally, Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander framed the marketing campaign as a part of New York’s lengthy legacy of resistance.
“New Yorkers have a centuries-long tradition of standing up against tyranny,” he mentioned. “We’re not just fighting for the rights of New Yorkers, but for the deepest traditions of liberty and democracy in the United States.”
NAACP New York State Convention President L. Pleasure Williams argued that the administration’s actions have little to do with security. “If you cared about public safety, you would be housing those sleeping on the streets and making sure every child in this country never goes to bed hungry,” she mentioned. “What you care about is amassing more money for you and your friends.”
Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams mentioned deploying federal forces would endanger New Yorkers reasonably than shield them.
“Our city does not want or need a military occupation,” she mentioned. “Sending a military-style response against our own people puts us all in danger. Hands off our children’s education. Hands off our safety. Hands off New York City.”
Picture by Adam Daly
Donna Lieberman, govt director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said that the specter of federal intervention undermines democratic ideas.
“New York is the safest big city in the nation. We are not a training ground for your military,” she mentioned. “There is no legal basis to send in the National Guard, and we will not be silent.”
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams instructed the gang that the approaching years would take a look at New Yorkers’ resolve, urging residents to face collectively “in love and courage” because the administration continues its marketing campaign of intimidation.
“Extreme love is powerful,” he mentioned. “It has beaten back extreme hate before and will do so again.”
James Davis closes the ‘Hands Off NYC’ rally with a vow to remain organized and noncooperative, main the gang in a ultimate chant of ‘Palms off New York Metropolis Picture by Adam Daly
Audio system from immigrant and labor teams echoed the theme of preparation and solidarity.
Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, said that the marketing campaign would set up networks to defend communities.
“Deploying military forces to our cities is not about safety,” he mentioned. “It’s about control. We demand that the National Guard, the military, and ICE stand down.”
1199SEIU’s Yvonne Armstrong mentioned the union’s 450,000 members are able to defend their communities.
“An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” she mentioned. “We will defend our civil rights, our freedoms, and our families against the cruelty of this administration.”
James Davis, president of the Skilled Workers Congress at CUNY, closed the rally with a vow to stay organized and unyielding.
“We will stay nonviolent, but we will also stay noncooperative,” he mentioned, main the gang in a ultimate chant of “Hands off New York City.”
Organizers mentioned the coalition, which stems from the nationwide coordinated “Hands Off” protests, will maintain trainings and citywide outreach forward of a bigger “No Kings Day” demonstration deliberate for Oct. 18, calling the hassle an ongoing mobilization to strengthen native energy “before they come.”
The final “No Kings Day” protests on June 14 noticed tens of 1000’s of New Yorkers hit the streets to protest President Trump and his administration’s more and more autocratic rule of the nation.
