New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked Tuesday whether the city will enlist the help of the National Guard following another night of violence and looting.
“No. We do not need, nor do we think it’s wise, for the National Guard to be in New York City – nor any armed forces,” he replied, CBS New York reports. “For anyone who needs a history lesson: When outside armed forces go into communities, no good comes of it. We have seen this for decades. Go back to the ’50s, ’60s with the Civil Rights Movement on through all the way up to today.”
The mayor called on elected officials, community leaders and clergy to help keep the peace. He praised peaceful protesters for stepping up to stop those inciting violence in their midst.
“Own your community. Do not let outsiders attack your community, do not let a violent few attack your community, do not let criminals attack your community,” he said. “Stand up. I’ll be standing by you. I’ll be supporting you. The NYPD will be supporting you.”
He also said the NYPD will be reevaluating and redeploying its resources tonight based on the latest, real-time intelligence.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was disappointed and outraged by what he saw Monday. He called out criminals for exploiting Floyd’s death to wreak havoc.
“Those looters, that criminal activity hurt everyone – in the communities of the protesters, which are the communities that tend to be the poorest communities,” he said. “The police in New York City were not effective at doing their job last night, period. They have to do a better job.”
The governor said he’s offered to send in the National Guard but thinks 38,000 NYPD officers should be able to protect the city.
