Politics

UPDATE Mayor Addresses New Yorkers after DOJ Dismisses Bribery Charges, for Now

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued an address to New Yorkers on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in response to a memo by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) dated Monday, Feb. 10, in which department officials directed “Acting U.S. Attorneys and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York” to drop, for now, the federal bribery and corruption charges brought against the mayor last year. Adams reduced the federal case to “a months-long saga” and an “unnecessary ordeal” for him, his family, and the City of New York.

Freedom Youth Family Justice Center Continues to Fight Human Trafficking

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Freedom Youth Family Justice Center (FYFJC), which seeks to empower, strengthen, and stabilize victims and survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, held a “Stars of Freedom” annual gala on Friday, Jan. 24, at Eastwood Manor in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx. Founded by Monique Riley, CEO, in conjunction with her husband, Joseph Riley, executive director, the Freedom Youth team took some well-deserved time out to celebrate their hard work and honor survivors, friends and allies.

Fear Palpable among Immigrant Community as Feds Converge on Bronx amid ICE Raids

By DAVID GREENE
Federal agents from a host of different law enforcement agencies converged last month on at least three locations in The Bronx, one in Manhattan, and another in Queens in efforts to detain undocumented migrants. The raids came days after Republican U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 22, suspending “the physical entry of aliens engaged in an invasion of the United States through the southern border.” This order had, in turn, followed a prior Jan. 20 executive order authorizing the detention of “unregistered aliens,” among other immigration-related actions.

Mayor Appoints Marjorie Velázquez to Tenant Protection Role

By DAVID GREENE
Embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams last month announced 17 new appointments and promotions within City government to fill various vacancies. The appointments come as the City Hall exodus continues, and amid a federal bribery probe into the mayor’s 2021 election campaign that continues to cast a shadow over his administration. The mayor denies any wrongdoing and his case is ongoing.

Mayor Touts Potential for Bronx Manufacturing Jobs after Meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Amid criticism from some that his meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, held Friday, Jan. 17, was used to discuss his federal legal case of alleged bribery around election campaign financing to which he has pleaded not guilty, New York City Mayor Eric Adams refuted suggestions the meeting was used for this purpose and said the discussion, among other topics, focused on bringing manufacturing jobs to New York City, particularly in The Bronx.