Eric Adams for New York Mayor

By Parveen Chopra

Managing Editor,

The South Asian Times

 

New York:  In  the 13 years that The South Asian Times has been in uninterrupted publication, we have endorsed only a couple of politicians for elected office in the United States or India.

But after studying the background of Eric Adams, and interviewing him twice on his policies and priorities, we are strongly endorsing the Brooklyn Borough President  for New York City Mayor.

We are endorsing Adams in particular because the  former police officer has chalked out  a fresh approach to policing to make New York safe and for all communities to prosper. He also has a high regard for the South Asian community, and is looking forward to inducting   several members from the community in his administration.

We first interviewed Eric Adams in June before the Democratic primary, which he won handily. He is a ‘pragmatic progressive’, he told us then. We interviewed him again last week in the run up to the mayoral election on November 2. Even though Adams’ victory over the Republican nominee Curtis Silwa  is a foregone conclusion, Adams said he is campaigning with the same energy as in the primary. Then, some of his Democratic critics called him not progressive enough. But now the party is united under him.

Adams informed us, “At  a recent rally I was joined by a lot of people who consider themselves to be progressive and they endorsed my campaign, and they embraced my philosophy. My goal as mayor is to bring the party under one tent.

“I too believe in progressive policies, but the real issue is, what road to take to carry out those policies. We all want the same thing: a safe city, affordable for all, ending inequality. And we need to have a conversation on what message is needed to accomplish that.”

On policing, Adams said, “It is important for me that we rebuild the relationship between police and the community.” To bring down violent crime, he plans to institute a plainclothes anti-gun unit that will go after gangs and  guns  in the city to crackdown on them.

Adams is thankful to the South Asian community. Said he, “When you do an analysis of the success of my campaign, it is clear this community played a major role in allowing me to win the primary. I want to let them know that you are an intrinsic part of the city.”

When asked his plans for immigrants and minorities in the city, Adams replied, “I will not be arrogant that I know what is best for each community. I will go out in the community, speak to them directly and find out what are the issues that are important to them.

“General things that the city needs are safety, education, healthcare, but each community has a specific issue that they face and I need to address that. Immigrants/minorities is a monolithic term, but what is needed in the Caribbean diaspora may be different from what is needed by the Indian and Pakistani communities.

“But yes, to ensure diversity, each group should have a voice in the administration. I will have a diverse group of people around the table on how policies impact particular groups and communities.  My goal is to have the most qualified people from all the different ethnic groups to make them part of governing.”

Adams said he will continue with or even scale up the good things that the outgoing Mayor, Bill de Blasio did. Like pre-K and Municipal ID program. “And yes, all of our children should have access to quality, hi-speed  broadband. I am also going to give  mothers of disadvantaged children the support they deserve.”  The goal is to build on success, he said, and alter those things that need to be altered.

As America worries about polarization and divisiveness, Adams said, “Our challenge as a county is not a challenge from without, but one from within. And my goal is to show that we will mobilize and come together to meet  the challenge head on, and work to build a coalition that brings us together.”

Image courtesy of (Photo provided)

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