Fiery activist, 92, tells crowd to 'shut up' as she defends Eric Adams By Germania Rodriguez Poleo, Chief U.S. Reporter Published: 11:15 BST, 27 September 2024 | Updated: 11:15 BST, 27 September 2024 e-mail Advertisement Under siege NYC mayor Eric Adams was supported by elderly civil rights leaders as New Yorkers drowned him out, shouting at him to resign after his indictment for corruption.
The Democrat was flanked by respected black activists including Hazel Dukes (pictured center), 92, and the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, 90, while he denied corruption and bribery charges against him on Thursday. Dukes, a former NAACP leader, shouted back at protestors who were drowning her out as she tried to speak in Adams' defense outside Gracie Mansion.
'Will you be quiet?' Dukes asked as the crowd chanted. 'Will you shut up?' Dukes continued: 'I'm 92 years of age. I've known this young man for over 40 years.
I come with a heavy heart today but my head is unbowed. He's going to have his day in court and we're going to stand by him.' A defiant Adams made a point of showing the support he enjoys from prominent black clergy and activists such as Dukes, but protesters insisted the mayor's legal issues have nothing to do with race.
'This is not a Black thing, this is a you thing, This is a you thing, Eric Adams,' a protester shouted through a bullhorn as Adams tried to speak. The protester added: 'Your policies are anti-Black, you're a disgrace for all black people in this city. The things that y.