The recent indictment on federal bribery charges of New York Mayor Eric Adams didn’t provoke any major shocks among a sizeable segment of the city’s Black population. Adams, who hails from Brooklyn and pulled himself up by the bootstraps from the proletariat to occupy the loftiest political position in the city, means more to this community than just a political representative. He is perceived by many as an inseparable part of their extended family.
As confirmation of this bond, several Black spiritual leaders and grassroots activists congregated outside City Hall to offer prayers for Adams. Amidst calls of continued support and echoes of ‘Four more years’, the besieged mayor sought solace and persistence in their prayers, reminding them of their shared struggles and triumphs in the campaign which catapulted him to the mayoral office.
Nevertheless, Adams’ indictment has stirred considerable strife within this close-knit extended family. The Black community in New York, including activists, political figures, and ordinary citizens, has been riddled with disagreements over the issue. Many of them have vociferously advocated for Adams’s resignation while engaging in heated discussions regarding support for a figure that is seen as a symbol of progress for Black people in politics.
Adams’ narrative mirrors many black political trajectories of the past; a child born and brought up in the community who climbs the ladder to the pinnacle of power, eventually confronting legal allegations of potential misconduct, and subsequently turned to his constituents for support. However, his current struggles might threaten the significant political strides made by the Black community, instigating fear among some Black leaders.
An unprecedented number of Black leaders were elected to local and statewide offices in New York nearly two years ago. The fear now is that Adams’ legal troubles might taint this larger achievement of political representation. The incident has prompted many to scrutinize the delicate balance between novel political representation and its potential loss while maintaining unwavering accountability.
Despite the heavy cloud of indictment, there’s a significant faction still rallying behind the mayor. Some have expressed confusion over the charges against a figure they consider a hero, questioning whether this investigation is yet another instance of the government unfairly targeting individuals from the Black community.
New York Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn defends the mayor and reminds the public that ‘an indictment is not a conviction’. A notable voice from the Brooklyn neighborhood, Bichotte Hermelyn has championed Adams as a representative of politically empowered Black working-class communities, attributing the basis of his electoral success to this connection.
During his 2021 run, Adams’ campaign strategy was grassroots-oriented, with support pouring in from a diverse background that included people of color, immigrants, and women. Bichotte Hermelyn emphasizes that his indictment shouldn’t overshadow this significant political engagement that Adams has fostered within his constituents.
Meanwhile, there are notable voices advocating for Mayor Adams to consider stepping down. New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, not related to Mayor Adams, has publicly called on him to consider if he can effectively serve the city amid his legal turmoil. Her concerns revolve around the state of public administration and its stability during these challenging times.
Adrienne E. Adams has labeled the charges against Mayor Adams as ‘serious’ and expressed her deep-rooted concerns over how this might influence the city’s governance negatively. Her sentiments are shared by others in the power corridor, including New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie.
Myrie’s concerns revolve around the importance of having a mayor focused on community welfare and maintaining the dignity and integrity of the office. He describes the indictment as a heartbreaking incident for the city and particularly for the Black constituents who put their faith in this administration.
Despite the high-profile voices questioning his ability to serve, Mayor Adams appears to be holding his ground. He claims he’s been receiving social media messages and emails from constituents who want him to persevere in the face of adversity. The messages reflect the sentiments of a significant part of the community that still supports him.
Through all this turmoil, Mayor Adams continues to communicate his commitment to the role. While acknowledging the dissonance within the circle of his Black political peers, he has emphasized his focus on serving the residents of the city based on their expressed desire for him to resist calls for his resignation.
The Deputy U.S. Attorney weighing against the mayor in this case, Damian Williams, is also a Black leader in the community and a former assemblyman potentially considering a run for the mayoral office. Amid the varying opinions and critical commentary, whether Adams should resign or continue in his role remains an ongoing debate within New York’s Black community.