New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) equated a woman who asked him a question to behaving like a plantation owner.
During an event held at Gregorio Luperon High School for Science and Mathematics in Washington Heights, Adams criticized a woman who had interrupted him and yelled that he had “raised the rent” in the city.
The event came days after the New York City Rent Guideline Board (NYCRGB) voted to increase rent in apartments by up to 6%, according to the New York Post.
Adams defended himself, pointing out to the woman that he was a homeowner who rented out his home.
“When my tenants moved in 15 years ago, I signed a lease with them that as long as you were in my property, you will never have an increase in your rent,” he said.
“I’m speaking to you as an adult,” Adams could be heard telling the woman who cut him off. “Don’t stand in front like you treated someone that’s on the plantation that you own.”
.@NYCMayor went off on a woman during his town hall tonight: "I'm the mayor of this city and treat me with the respect that would deserve to be treated. I'm speaking to you as an adult. Don't stand in front like you treated someone that's on the plantation that you own." pic.twitter.com/Qwn8TgYFD1
— Myles Miller (@MylesMill) June 29, 2023
Adams went off on the woman who stood up and began pointing her finger in response to him arguing that he was not in favor of increasing the rent.
“Don’t point at me and don’t be disrespectful to me,” said Adams.
The woman was reminded by Adams that he was “the mayor of this city” and asked to be treated with the respect that he deserved “to be treated.”
“Treat me with the same level of respect I treat you,” Adams said to the woman, adding for her to not point her finger at him.
Adams asked the lady to speak with him “as an adult” and pointed out that he was “a grown man,” having previously walked into the room as a grown man, and would “walk out of this room as a grown man.”
The new rent increases in New York City would affect new or renewed leases starting in October 2022 and going through September 2024, according to the NYCRGB website.
