In an interview on Wednesday evening with local news station WABC 7, New York City Mayor Eric Adams slammed pro-Hamas protesters in his city.
There is "no room for hate in our city to praise Hamas, which is a terrorist and must be destroyed and dismantled," Adams said.
Adams added that the "disgusting" terms he's heard and some of the flyers he's seen are "not who we are."
He made clear his support for Israel is unwavering.
Adams denounces Hamas support
"No one wants to see innocent lives lost in Palestine, but we have to bring home the hostages, and we have to dismantle and destroy Hamas," the NYC mayor said.
Initially, the interviewers labeled the protests "anti-war" but said they had a different tone than typical anti-war protests in New York's history.
The interviewer specified that the protests have shifted from anti-war protests in support of Gazan civilians to demonstrations supporting Hamas, also arguing that the "vitriol" within the protests is focused on Jewish people in New York rather than on Israel.
Adams argued that freedom of speech is constitutionally protected, but it is "immoral to see some of the terminology that has been used."
Adams called for those who want to peacefully protest to "police themselves" to avoid hate speech and hate terminology.
"We should not be lifting up a terrorist [group] that participated in October 7 and other atrocities," he said.
Earlier in April, Adams declared that New York City "unequivocally stands with the State of Israel" in the face of Iran's direct attack.
The New York City mayor has consistently called for the release of hostages since October. He has taken a firm stance in support of the city's Jewish community amid increasing calls for a ceasefire and increasing support for Hamas in the city.