{"id":11873,"date":"2025-07-31T21:01:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/adams-cuomo-mamdani-and-sliwa-pay-their-respects\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T21:01:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:01:52","slug":"adams-cuomo-mamdani-and-sliwa-pay-their-respects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/adams-cuomo-mamdani-and-sliwa-pay-their-respects\/","title":{"rendered":"Adams, Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa pay their respects"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

With help from Amira McKee<\/i><\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

IN MEMORIAM: <\/b>Five candidates running for New York City mayor \u2014 as well as hundreds of NYPD officers \u2014 paid their respects this afternoon to Didarul Islam, who died in uniform in Monday\u2019s tragic mass shooting.<\/p>\n

Mayor Eric Adams, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Jim Walden all gathered at the Parkchester Jame Masjid, where Islam\u2019s body lay.<\/p>\n

The officer\u2019s death became an instant political test for Mamdani, who was away on an 11-day vacation in Uganda at the time of the shooting. Cuomo drew attention to Mamdani\u2019s anti-NYPD activism<\/a> in the wake of the shooting. And within hours of his return to the U.S., Mamdani was pressed about his prior support for defunding the police<\/a> and his call to disband the NYPD unit that responded to the shooting.<\/p>\n

Aside from the mayoral hopefuls, Gov. Kathy Hochul and several other officials attended the funeral, including NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Attorney General Letitia James, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Council member Yusef Salaam, and Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Richie Torres.<\/p>\n

Reporters were there to cover the memorial to the slain officer \u2014 and to carefully watch for signs of political differences between the candidates.<\/p>\n

Adams eulogized Islam at the event and spoke of the pain of losing a loved one \u2014 but he made a point to thank the NYPD\u2019s Strategic Response Group, the elite police unit Mamdani has previously called to eliminate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to say thank you to the men and women of the New York City Police Department in general, but specifically to the men and women of SRG,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThey entered the building while the shooter was still alive, and they conducted a floor-by-floor search. They wanted to ensure that everyone in that building would have come out safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mamdani said Monday he no longer supports defunding the police<\/a>, but he also doubled down on eliminating the SRG. The unit is tasked with policing political demonstrations and has faced criticism from the New York Civil Liberties Union and others for its use of heavy-handed tactics.<\/p>\n

Islam, a Bengali immigrant and father of two with a third child on the way, had been working as a security guard when a gunman armed with a military-style rifle entered a Park Avenue building and carried out the deadliest mass shooting in the city<\/a> since 2000. The three-year NYPD veteran was in full uniform when he was murdered along with three others who perished that day.<\/p>\n

Unlike the other candidates and officials there, Mamdani sat with Islam\u2019s family during the service and was greeted by them upon his arrival. He also remained to join his fellow Muslims in prayer after the political speeches concluded, as other officials filed out.<\/p>\n

While the intimate service was limited to family, friends and invited guests, hundreds of men and women, many in uniform, gathered on the surrounding blocks in the hours before the funeral, setting up food trucks and tents to eat and socialize. As the funeral began, police cleared the street outside the mosque to allow space for prayer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe residents of this city, indeed, this state, must show greater platitudes and gratitude for our police force, they have not received enough in years of late, in my opinion, and that must be rectified,\u201d said Hochul, dressed in a black headscarf in line with Muslim tradition. \u201cThey need our support.\u201d \u2014 Amira McKee and Jason Beeferman<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Assemblymember<\/p>\n

NORTH COUNTRY SPECIAL LOOMS: <\/b>The impending resignation of Assemblymember Billy Jones will open up a potentially competitive special election in a North Country district that straddles the Quebec border.<\/p>\n

Jones, who\u2019s serving his fifth term, has been as secure in his seat as any rural Democrat in recent years. He\u2019s run unopposed in three of his past four elections and won the other by 24 points.<\/p>\n

That was due in part to his personal popularity, but the district is as competitive as can be on paper: There are 30,392 Democratic and Working Families Party members compared with 29,920 Republicans and Conservatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepublicans, for the first time in a long time, have a real chance to win this one,\u201d Essex County Conservative Party Chair Bill McGahay said.<\/p>\n

Malone Mayor Andrea Dumas is among the Republicans being discussed as a candidate for the seat.<\/p>\n

Several Democrats have expressed interest in running as well, and Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman is \u201cgaining traction,\u201d according to Clinton County Democratic Chair Brandi Lloyd.<\/p>\n

\u201cDemocrats are definitely optimistic that this will hold,\u201d Lloyd said. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing a trend across the whole country \u2014 in rural areas as well \u2014 where seats are staying blue or flipping blue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones announced Tuesday<\/a> that he\u2019d be stepping down later this summer. Several people familiar with his plans said they expect his resignation will come at a time that would allow Hochul to call a special election that coincides with the Nov. 4 general. \u2014 Bill Mahoney<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u2018MY HEART IS BROKEN\u2019:<\/b> Hochul demanded today that Israel work with the United States to rectify deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza \u2014 a departure for a governor who counts herself as a staunch supporter of the Jewish state.<\/p>\n

\u201cAllowing innocent children to starve to death is simply unconscionable, and as a mother, my heart is broken by these images of famine,\u201d Hochul said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The reports of starvation that sparked the governor\u2019s latest remarks have also motivated other New York Democrats who support Israel to speak out against the government. Hochul has been outspoken in her support in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks, visiting Kfar Aza and advocating for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.<\/p>\n

The tides of war abroad and politics at home have shifted significantly since then.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, Reps. Jerry Nadler, Pat Ryan and Paul Tonko were among the moderate Democrats to sign a statement released by New York Attorney General Letitia James calling for immediate access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Though Hochul was not a signatory on that statement, her recent remarks offer additional evidence there\u2019s a consensus building among Democrats, who have been deeply divided on Israel.<\/p>\n

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel this morning with plans to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visit an aid distribution site in Gaza, a move Hochul said she hopes will be a turning point for the crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupport for the people of Israel also requires us to demand that the Israeli government do what is right,\u201d Hochul said. \u201cAt the same time, we must continue to demand that Hamas release all hostages and finally bring an end to this conflict. This humanitarian crisis has gone on for too long, and it is time to secure a lasting peace that protects the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians.\u201d \u2014 Amira McKee<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

FREEZE THE FARE:<\/b> With all the talk about freezing the rent<\/a>, some New York Democrats are now pushing to freeze the fare.<\/p>\n

The MTA announced Wednesday that it plans to hike subway fares, and electeds are saying the increase would be too much for New Yorkers to bear.<\/p>\n

\u201cProposing a fare hike without demonstrating meaningful improvements is offensive to hard-working New Yorkers, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m urging all board appointees to vote no on this proposal,\u201d Adams said, referring to the Senate-confirmed MTA body responsible for approving the plan. \u201cWe strongly oppose this fare increase and remain committed to fighting for a more affordable and equitable city.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the transit authority\u2019s proposed increases, the price of a subway ride would jump from $2.90 to $3. LIRR and Metro North tickets would spike up to 8 percent. And tolls for bridges and tunnels would increase 7.5 percent.<\/p>\n

The MTA said the fare and toll changes \u201care small and occur at regular intervals to keep up with inflation and avoid surprising customers with unpredictable or double-digit increases.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hikes will need to be approved by the MTA board following a trio of public hearings in August, and would take effect in January 2025 if approved.<\/p>\n

Mamdani, who ran an affordability-focused campaign, wants to persuade Albany to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations to make MTA buses free. The MTA so far has signaled opposition<\/a> to the idea.<\/p>\n

Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, the chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, is also railing against the hikes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt a time when the federal government is deriving new ways to crunch the middle class and siphon their hard-earned dollars, New York State must be clear that we will not add to the burden,\u201d she said. \u201cThis proposed rate increase must be rejected, and I encourage all New Yorkers who are able and willing to make their concerns known to the MTA Board.\u201d
\u2014 Jason Beeferman<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Mayor<\/p>\n

VETO, AGAIN: <\/b>Mayor Adams vetoed a bill<\/a> that would have decriminalized illegal street vending, a late Wednesday night surprise that shocked the City Council.<\/p>\n

Existing criminal penalties are \u201can important enforcement tool,\u201d Adams wrote in a brief veto message.<\/a><\/p>\n

The bill was meant in part to protect street vendors \u2014 many of them immigrants \u2014 from deportation. The bill\u2019s sponsor, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, was furious, saying in a statement that \u201cAdams did Donald Trump’s bidding by vetoing my legislation that protects our immigrant small business owners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adams spokesperson Zachary Nosanchuk denied the veto had anything to do with the mayor\u2019s coordination with the Trump administration. Instead, he said the mayor was concerned the law would prevent the NYPD \u201cfrom intervening, even in the most egregious cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adams\u2019 stamp of disapproval came hours after he also vetoed<\/a> the council\u2019s decision that would have blocked a casino bid from moving forward in the East Bronx.<\/p>\n

Speaker Adrienne Adams\u2019 office has not yet said whether she\u2019s planning to schedule votes to override the vetoes. \u2014 Jeff Coltin<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 BIG \u2018RIG\u2019:<\/b> House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries bashed the Trump administration, accusing the president of attempting to \u201crig\u201d Texas\u2019 congressional map. (Daily News<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 FLOOD WATCH:<\/b> Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island and parts of the Hudson Valley as the National Weather Service raised the region\u2019s flash flooding risk. (Gothamist<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 ANOTHER SUBWAY MELTDOWN: <\/b>The city\u2019s beleaguered transit system continues to struggle after another system power outage this morning. (New York Post<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Missed this morning\u2019s New York Playbook? We forgive you. <\/b>Read it here<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With help from Amira McKee IN MEMORIAM: Five candidates running for New York City mayor \u2014 as well as hundreds of NYPD officers \u2014 paid their respects this afternoon to Didarul Islam, who died in uniform in Monday\u2019s tragic mass shooting. Mayor Eric Adams, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}