Calls for NYC Mayor to Resign Grow After Video Resurfaces Showing Him Use a Racial Slur Towards White People

The video, which is shown below, Adams can be heard saying:

“Everyday in the police department I kicked those crackers (expletive), man. I was unbelievable … I became a sergeant, a lieutenant, and a captain, you know the story. Some people oversell it trying to reinvent me, but the reality is: what I was then is who I am now.”

During a press conference on Friday, February 4th, Adams was asked about his use of the racial slur, which prompted him to issue an apology. He said:

“Should not have been used. Someone asked me a question using that comment and, playing on that word, I responded in that comment.

But clearly, it is a comment that should not be used and I apologize not only to those who heard it, but to New Yorkers because they should expect more from me and that was inappropriate.”

Mayor Adams said that the comment referred to his efforts to combat racism in the department. He added:

“My fight in the police department was fighting racism throughout my entire journey. And I was serious about fighting against that and that is what it was attached to, the question that was asked. And that, you got my response, based on what the question was.”

The same day as the press conference, New York Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch addressed Adam’s previous comments, saying:

“Whenever a controversial video of a police officer surfaces online, we ask for fairness instead of a rush to outrage.”