What you should know
- Civil Rights Icon Dr. Hazel Dukes Criticizes NYT for “Another Shameful Attempt to Tear Down” City’s Second Black Mayor
- Civil Rights Icon Reverend Al Sharpton Highlights Mayor Adams’ Efforts to Tackle Gun Violence
- Venable’s Niece Calls on NYT to Issue Apology to Family for Making Them Relive Trauma, Conducts Interview with News12 Westchester
NEW YORK – Yesterday, The New York Times published a story with the ultimate goal of questioning New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ close relationship with fallen New York City Police Department (NYPD) Transit Officer Robert Venable, who was murdered in 1987, and who then-Officer Adams came up with in the NYPD. While the initial inquiry mentioned a photo of Venable that Mayor Adams made a copy of decades ago, all initial questions in writing focused on the Times’ claim that there was no real relationship between the two former officers.
After the story, members of Officer Venable’s family, as well as former Transit officers who worked with Officer Venable and then-Officer Eric Adams came forward to criticize The New York Times’ effort to create a divide between Mayor Adams and the Venable family and create the implication that Mayor Adams and Officer Venable were never friends.
Tonight, civil rights icons Dr. Hazel Dukes and Reverend Al Sharpton came forward to criticize The New York Times’ efforts to undermine Mayor Adams and his administration.
Additionally, Officer Venable’s niece came forward again to call on The New York Times to issue an apology to her family for using her uncle’s name simply in an effort to criticize Mayor Adams.
In case you missed it…
Dr. Hazel Dukes, former president, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People:
“Like Mayor Dinkins before him, Mayor Adams is frequently facing unfair, biased attacks in the media meant to undermine his administration. The Times article is yet another shameful attempt to tear down our second Black mayor and disempower the working-class people of color who elected him as their representative.”
Reverend Al Sharpton:
It’s important to note the daughter and other relatives of Officer Venable are backing @NYCMayor for keeping his legacy alive, especially at a time when Black mayors are under attack across the nation for allegedly being soft on crime. 1/2
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) July 6, 2023