News

‘Worst mayor ever’: De Blasio’s climate change event inside Trump Tower takes unexpected turn

May 14, 2019 | | Print Article
(Image: screenshot)

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to “put the president on notice” seemed to be derailed by protesters who drowned out the Democrat as he touted his Green New Deal.

The mayor found himself shouting to be heard for most of his rally Monday which was held inside the lobby of Trump Tower, trying to tout his record on climate change policies while attacking President Donald Trump for actions he criticized as being unsupportive of environmental concerns.

(Video: YouTube/PIX11 News)

The rally to promote the city’s Green New Deal had to be moved indoors due to rain but the new location proved challenging for de Blasio who, at times, competed with protesting Trump supporters and music being played in the building’s lobby to be heard.

“His buildings are one of the biggest polluters in New York City,” the Democrat, who is considering a 2020 presidential run, said. “Cut your emissions or we’ll cut something you really care about.”

The mayor threatened Trump’s company with millions of dollars in fines, vowing “We’ll take your money” if new environmental standards are not met.

During his remarks, protesters rode up and down behind de Blasio on the escalator – the same one that Trump descended when he launched his 2016 campaign. Carrying signs that read “Worst Mayor Ever,” “Failed Mayor,” and “Trump 2020,” the protesters were as much of a distraction to the mayor and his audience as the music that the Trump Tower building reportedly turned up louder.

City Hall reporter Yoav Gonen documented much of how the scene played out in a series of tweets.

The New York Democrat remarked that it was “so nice for them to serenade us,” as he delivered his remarks.

“They’re scared of the truth,” de Blasio said. “Anyone that has a problem with saving the planet, I have a problem with them.”

He slammed Trump’s buildings for being some of the biggest polluters in the city as he pushed The Climate Mobilization Act, a version of the Green New Deal touted by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The measure, which passed the City Council last month in a 45-2 vote, has not yet been signed by de Blasio. The legislation, which is a collection of 10 bills, seeks to curb New York City’s carbon emissions through measures that would be “the equivalent of taking more than one million cars off the road by 2030,” according to Costa Constantinides, chairman of New York City’s Committee for Environmental Protection.

The plan targets the city’s skyscrapers in efforts to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and de Blasio set his sights squarely on Trump during his press conference, explaining that the location choice was a message to put him on notice.

The struggle to speak above the raucous crowd apparently strained de Blasio’s voice.

The impact of de Blasio’s message appeared to be lost at one point when he apparently was unable to name any other building owners besides Trump who were not compliant with the proposed legislation. The progressive mayor, who was driven to the event, has come under fire on several occasions himself for the motorcades used to transport him around town.

“This is about a bill that was passed by the City Council that is very clear and serious about the consequences for building owners who do not comply with the law,” de Blasio said. “These buildings are a big part of the problem, and we’re making it very clear — it doesn’t matter who you are, even the President of the United States has to abide by the law of this city.”

The mayor, who told reporters he planned to announce his decision on a 2020 presidential bid later this week, said the protests did not bother him.

“This is a public space where people are allowed to express their views,” de Blasio said. “In New York City, we’re perfectly tough. If people want to offer their opposition, it doesn’t change me one bit.”

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

$10
$15
$25
$50
Other
$
Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.
Frieda Powers
Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

PLEASE JOIN OUR NEW COMMENT SYSTEM! We love hearing from our readers and invite you to join us for feedback and great conversation. If you've commented with us before, we'll need you to re-input your email address for this. The public will not see it and we do not share it.

Latest Articles