June 4, 2107
STATEN ISLAND, NY – Assemblywoman Nichole Malliotakis issued the following statement:
“Last night’s cowardly attack in London is a stark reminder of the constant threat that hangs over New York City. Our prayers and support are with the British people, just as they stood with us in the wake of 9/11. “Today, I will march in the Celebrate Israel Parade as it heads up 5th Avenue. No nation has faced down terrorism like Israel. For much of its 7 decades of existence, Israel has dealt with attack after attack and it’s intelligence services, law enforcement and military devote huge amounts of manpower and financial resources defending against the actions of a few. Today, I join with New Yorkers as we applaud the people Israel; their strong and resilient spirit keeps democracy alive in a region of the world better know for strong armed leaders and repressive rule.
“As we march up 5th Avenue, we will be protected by the men and women of the NYPD. It is short sighted and, frankly, reckless that Bill de Blasio would even consider sacrificing federal counter-terror funding in his politically motivated and bull-headed defense of New York being viewed as a Sanctuary City; which protects individuals who have committed crimes such as grand larceny, sex abuse and patronizing a child for prostitution.
“If that isn’t bad enough, IDNYC, the city’s municipal ID card program, gives city IDs to individuals, including those who present easily counterfeited non machine readable foreign passports, while all the time planning to destroy copies of the substantiating documents after the municipal ID is issued; posing a direct risk to public safety.
“The primary role of any government is the protection of its people and for Bill de Blasio to sacrifice such a huge allotment of federal counter-terror funds is nothing less than a dereliction of duty that will leave New Yorkers at risk.
“The mayor of America’s greatest city must be willing and able to work with Washington, no matter which party is in power, so as to benefit the city and its people. As Mayor, I will fight to insure that New York City receives every cent of federal funding it needs and deserves and I will never put its citizens at risk by placing my personal ideological beliefs over their well being.”
