Protesters Flood Foley Square, Demand Removal of Eric Adams Over Trump Ties
With allegations of collusion between the New York City Mayor and the Trump administration, protesters put pressure on the Governor to take action.
A wave of demonstrations swept through Foley Square in Manhattan on Thursday, February 27, as protesters gathered to demand the removal of Eric Adams from the Mayor’s office.
Chanting “Adams must go!” and holding various signs accusing him of betraying the city’s diverse communities, the protesters called on Governor Hochul to take swift action and remove Adams from office.
The anti-Adams demonstrations were fueled by mounting allegations that the Mayor has been coordinating with the Trump administration to roll back protections for undocumented New Yorkers in exchange for political favors, such as the suspension of corruption charges against the Mayor by Department of Justice (DOJ).
A recent investigation by The Guardian exposed direct involvement of Adams in discussions with federal officials, including his alleged role in facilitating the transfer of detained migrants from New York City shelters to federal custody, a move that critics say amounts to a mass deportation pipeline.
“He sold New York City to President Trump,” said James Inniss, Public Safety Organizer for New York Communities for Change. “He didn’t just sell immigrant communities out. Everybody is at threat with him.”
Advocacy groups like Make the Road New York and the New York Immigration Coalition stood shoulder-to-shoulder with outraged city residents, activists, and some elected officials in denouncing the Adams administration.
“This is not the first time I called for the resignation of Mayor Adams,” said Alexa Avilés, Council member representing Brooklyn’s 38th district. “The facts are clearly presented that the Mayor is compromised.”
Speakers at the event also called on Governor Hochul to invoke her executive authority to remove Adams, arguing that his actions are a direct threat to the safety and autonomy of the city.
Governor Hochul has not yet committed to removing Mayor Adams from office, citing concerns over potential “disruption and chaos” and the importance of respecting the democratic process.
Instead of full removal, the Governor introduced legislative proposals aimed at increasing oversight of the Mayor’s office.
These proposals include:
Appointment of a new position, Deputy Inspector General, to monitor New York City’s operations.
Allocating additional resources to the state comptroller to scrutinize city finances more effectively.
Granting certain city officials the authority to initiate legal actions against the federal government without requiring approval from City Hall.
Despite the growing pressure, Mayor Adams has remained defiant in calls to resign and suspend his re-election campaign.
“Isn’t our democracy based on the people we elect?” asked Adams during a Black History Month event at Gracie Mansion, before Thursday’s protests. “Why are we trying to disrupt and take the power away from the people of this city who elected me to be mayor?”
The demonstrations at Foley Square remained peaceful, though some clashes broke out when police attempted to disperse protesters blocking intersections towards the end of the rally.
“If Hochul won’t act, we will make sure this city never forgets what Eric Adams has done,” said protester Elena Rodriguez. “This is just the beginning.”
As investigations into Adams’ dealings with the Trump administration continue to unfold, the battle for city leadership is likely far from over. Protests around New York City, in their calls for accountability, show no signs of slowing down.