NEW YORK – New York City and interfaith leaders came together Sunday to denounce the assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The message is clear: there is no position for hate speech and political violence.
On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams and interfaith and civic leaders stood side by side, despite their political backgrounds, making it clear that bullets don’t make a difference. They said New York was Trump’s hometown and did not tolerate the former president’s assassination attempt on Saturday in Pennsylvania, and even addressed the factor of gun violence in the city and the country.
They said that poisonous political rhetoric had reached harmful levels and that it was time to repair civility and respect for our differences.
“What happened yesterday, inches away from the death of the former president, is that his children, his spouse, would have to go through this,” Adams said. “To see the history of what bullets have done, how they have reshaped our afterlife and maybe reshape our future. “
“Violence exists no matter who you oppose,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Councilmember Joseph Borelli added, “I, Donald Trump. Others find it harder to do so, so I congratulate everyone who is willing to step up and say enough. The rhetoric wants to calm down. “
In a joint statement, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres and Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said, “The assassination attempt on former President Trump last night represented a dark moment in our nation’s history. all primary presidential candidates. That’s why we plan to introduce a bipartisan law that offers President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. enhanced Secret Service protections.
Trump supporters expressed dismay and frustration over what happened Saturday in Pennsylvania.
“It was just a bad health issue that doesn’t deserve to have ever happened. This isn’t America. This isn’t what we live in. We want to avoid it,” said Ryan Hart, who drove to New York from South Jersey.
“We want to avoid fights, avoid arguments and realize that we have our differences, but let’s communicate our differences,” added Rachel Castillo of Hoboken, New Jersey.
Trump, who left Sunday for Milwaukee, the site of this week’s Republican National Convention, spent much of the day in Bedminster, New Jersey, where local citizens were reacting to the assassination attempt.
Trump National Golf Club closed on Sunday and its entrance gates were guarded by local police.
A motorcade of at least a dozen cars heading to Newark Liberty International Airport used Lamington Road to leave the club. Three miles across Lamington, supporters of the former president gathered on the corner where they stand to wave their flags and banners.
But Sunday’s assembly had a different tone.
“We’re just supporting someone who almost killed him,” said a woman named Carla.
Carla said she cried when she learned of the attack on Trump at his crusade in Pennsylvania on Saturday. After walking past Trump supporters, she signed up.
“It’s almost useful. It’s like going to church and praying for Trump,” he said. “It makes you feel better about anything horrible. “
Others said they hoped for an election campaign free of violence.
“Their coverage will be greater and there will be even more security around them,” said Tristan Wallack of Bedminster.
“We have to go back to being respectful, big and decent, and that’s my hope for this election,” added Jennifer Johansson, a local resident.
Security is tight at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, between the buildings linked to Trump.
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said Saturday that the city was expanding security at sites across all five boroughs “out of an abundance of caution. ” This includes Trump Tower and the Trump Building at 40 Wall St. There will also be more police at Foley Square and City Hall.
The mayor said there is no credible threat.
“As we build up those resources, we need to be very transparent that we see any connection to New York at this time,” the spokesperson added.