Civil rights activist Al Sharpton talked up Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’ bid for the mayoralty a day after his daughter, Ashley, endorsed him.
Sharpton, whose endorsement could be a key in the crowded field to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio, said Adams is right to focus on both public safety and cracking down on police abuses.
Sharpton noted that Adams, who founded the group 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement, helped launch the National Action Network he heads.
“There are five people who co-signed the incorporation papers for the National Action Network. One of them was a police officer named Eric Adams,” Sharpton told The Post.
“Eric’s background as a police officer is not a negative with us.”
Sharpton said many people may not know that he goes to many funerals for young people killed by gun violence, not just from police abuse.
Al Sharpton said Eric Adams was key in getting the National Action Network started. Matthew McDermott
Eric Adams received an endorsement for mayor from Ashley Sharpton. Matthew McDermott
According to Al Sharpton, Eric Adams could help clamp down on different police abuses. MediaPunch/BACKGRID“Crime is a concern for us. We are concerned about violence in our community as well as police brutality,” he said. “We are not anti-police. We are anti-police brutality.”
But the preacher swatted down speculation that daughter Ashley’s endorsement of Adams was a trial balloon to see if there would be any backlash from it, and whether it would be prudent to follow suit and back the current Brooklyn borough president in the June 22 Democratic primary.
Adams, during the endorsement announcement with Ashley, quipped that he would cry like a baby if he didn’t get papa Sharpton’s endorsement.
“My daughter is 33 years old and has a mind of her own. She’s known Eric her whole life. I’m glad she cares about our city like I do,” Sharpton said
While Ashley Sharpton made her official endorsement, Al Sharpton said he’d be making his decision within a few weeks. MediaPunch/BACKGRID
Al Sharpton also said Eric Adams’ police experience is not a bad thing in his mind. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Eric Adams is hoping to get the official endorsement from Al Sharpton. Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesHe said he will make a decision on an endorsement in early June, which could be endorsing one candidate, providing a ranked choice of his preference or staying officially neutral.
Sharpton emphasized that personal ties alone don’t translate into him endorsing a candidate. In 2013, he declined to endorse old pal Bill Thompson in the Democratic primary for mayor. The snub provided a boost to surging rival de Blasio, who campaigned on curbing stop and frisk, won the primary and was was elected mayor.
