NYC public advocate bashes Bloomberg for ‘buying’ support
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Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, pictured at a January event, slammed former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign on Wednesday at a breakfast forum in Manhattan. Eagle file photo by David Brand.
By Victoria Merlino
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams railed against presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg Wednesday, criticizing the former New York City mayor’s attempt to distance himself from the policies and decisions that drove inequality during his 12-year tenure leading the city.
Bloomberg’s campaign has faced harsh criticism for his support of stop-and-frisk policing, allegations of sexist behavior and insensitive remarks, and accusations that he is trying to “buy” the election with a massive influx of cash. Williams pinned Bloomberg’s recent surge in approval ratings from African-Amercian voters partly on his compelling advertisements, some of which Bloomberg has specifically targeted toward them.
“Mayor Bloomberg says he can’t be bought, but in reality, he’s doing the buying,” Williams said at a Crain’s New York Business breakfast forum in Manhattan.
“I think his ads are doing what they meant to do: disguise his record … and the damage his policies have done,” Williams said later. “I think some people who know him best are willfully buying into those and these explanations.”
He said Bloomberg, who served as mayor from 2002 until the end of 2013, introduced “atrocious” housing and education policies. Williams also criticized African-American leaders in New York City who support Bloomberg’s presidential bid.
“I think he’s just buying some folks,” Williams said. “I’m most ashamed of black leaders who live in New York City and are supporting him, because they know who he is. All I can say is he has very deep pockets.”
Several prominent black and African Americans have endorsed Bloomberg in recent weeks, including influential Harlem pastor Rev. Calvin Butts and Queens Congressman Gregory Meeks, chair of the Queens County Democratic Party.
Bloomberg, Meeks said, can unite the country “behind the common purpose of rebuilding our nation's infrastructure and driving our economy forward.”
Meeks serves as the co-chair of the "Mike for Black America National Leadership Council,” a group that looks to boost his support among African-American voters, according to Newsday.
During the forum Wednesday, Williams also discussed his support for racial impact studies to precede city rezoning proposals and legislation that would guarantee paid time off for all workers in the city.
