NYC Staffer Suspended After Removing Hostage Poster, Allegedly Assaulting Witness
Controversy erupted in New York City after a staffer for Mayor Eric Adams was caught on camera tearing down a poster honoring Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. Nallah Sutherland, a special event coordinator, is now facing indefinite suspension without pay following widespread condemnation of her actions.
The incident occurred on November 2nd in the Upper East Side. A video, now circulating widely online, shows Sutherland removing the poster, which was part of a public awareness campaign initiated after Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7th.
When confronted by a bystander who questioned her motives, Sutherland allegedly swatted at his phone, momentarily disrupting his footage. "That’s assault, actually," the man remarked in the video.
Sutherland, who earns an annual salary of $61,135, initially faced only minor disciplinary measures: mandatory multicultural training and a note added to her personnel file.
However, this response drew swift criticism from prominent figures, including Bronx Representative Ritchie Torres and various Jewish advocacy groups, who condemned the initial leniency.
Mayor Adams, who was not initially involved in the disciplinary decision, ultimately intervened, ordering Sutherland’s indefinite suspension pending further investigation. "Mayor Adams has been clear that hate has no place in our city,” said a spokesperson from City Hall.
Representative Ritchie Torres echoed this sentiment on social media, stating: "Tearing down posters of the hostages is completely unacceptable and would not be tolerated.”
Jewish organizations emphasized the crucial role city officials play in fostering unity, highlighting the dangerous implications of Sutherland’s actions.
Sutherland, who joined the Mayor’s office in 2023, was responsible for organizing events celebrating New York City’s diverse community identity.
This suspension comes amid Mayor Adams’s ongoing efforts to uphold his administration’s commitment to cultural inclusivity and a zero-tolerance policy towards hatred and discrimination.
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[Image of Nallah Sutherland removing the hostage poster embedded here. Image caption: Nallah Sutherland being confronted by bystanders. (Picture credit: X)]
