![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/54842310312_ca57fbd4a9_k.jpg\" "\\"\u2018Hands")
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City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams calls on New Yorkers to reject federal military intervention<\/p>\n
Photo by John McCarten\/NYC Council Media Unit<\/p>\n
Over 100 New York City unions, civil rights groups and community organizations launched a citywide campaign Thursday to \u201cprotect and prepare\u201d the city from potential federal or military intervention, calling on New Yorkers to link arms in the years ahead to keep President Donald Trump\u2019s \u201chands off\u201d the city.<\/p>\n
The Hands Off NYC campaign \u2014 backed by the city\u2019s largest labor unions and civic groups, including 1199SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York Immigration Coalition \u2014 held a rally at City Hall Park alongside elected officials to unveil what organizers described as a coordinated effort to train residents, build neighborhood communication networks and mount a nonviolent defense if President Donald Trump deploys National Guard troops to the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmerican cities are under attack by the Trump administration,\u201d the coalition\u2019s statement reads.<\/a> \u201cInstead of investing in schools, hospitals, and public services, taxpayer dollars are being spent to send National Guard troops and ICE agents into our communities \u2014 ripping families apart and targeting working people.\u201d<\/p>\n The rally came as tensions between the White House and Democratic-led cities intensified. The Trump administration has repeatedly signaled it may send National Guard troops to New York and other Democratic-led urban centers.<\/p>\n Trump has also indicated that the city could <\/a>be in his crosshairs<\/a> if voters elect democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, the frontrunner in the election, on Nov. 4.\u00a0<\/p>\n Speakers noted that recent confrontations between federal agents and residents<\/a> in Chicago have heightened concerns that similar incidents could occur in New York, making preparations more urgent.<\/p>\n This week, Trump intensified his feud<\/a> with Illinois leaders, urging the jailing of Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing them of not backing federal agents, and calling for increased security at federal buildings.<\/p>\n Trump has also floated using American cities as \u201ctraining grounds\u201d for the armed forces and said he is considering invoking the Insurrection Act<\/a> \u2014 a rarely used measure that would allow the president to deploy military forces domestically.<\/p>\n \u2018Not about safety\u2019 Backing the coalition at Thursday\u2019s rally, City Comptroller Brad Lander framed the campaign as part of New York\u2019s long legacy of resistance.<\/p>\n \u201cNew Yorkers have a centuries-long tradition of standing up against tyranny,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re not just fighting for the rights of New Yorkers, but for the deepest traditions of liberty and democracy in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n NAACP New York State Conference President L. Joy Williams argued that the administration\u2019s actions have little to do with safety. \u201cIf you cared about public safety, you would be housing those sleeping on the streets and making sure every child in this country never goes to bed hungry,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat you care about is amassing more money for you and your friends.\u201d<\/p>\n City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said deploying federal forces would endanger New Yorkers rather than protect them.\n<\/p>\n \u201cOur city does not want or need a military occupation,\u201d she said. \u201cSending a military-style response against our own people puts us all in danger. Hands off our children\u2019s education. Hands off our safety. Hands off New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, stated that the threat of federal intervention undermines democratic principles.<\/p>\n \u201cNew York is the safest big city in the nation. We are not a training ground for your military,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is no legal basis to send in the National Guard, and we will not be silent.\u201d<\/p>\n Public Advocate Jumaane Williams told the crowd that the coming years would test New Yorkers\u2019 resolve, urging residents to stand together \u201cin love and courage\u201d as the administration continues its campaign of intimidation.<\/p>\n \u201cExtreme love is powerful,\u201d he said. \u201cIt has beaten back extreme hate before and will do so again.\u201d Speakers from immigrant and labor groups echoed the theme of preparation and solidarity.<\/p>\n Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, stated that the campaign would establish networks to defend communities.\n<\/p>\n \u201cDeploying military forces to our cities is not about safety,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s about control. We demand that the National Guard, the military, and ICE stand down.\u201d\n<\/p>\n 1199SEIU\u2019s Yvonne Armstrong said the union\u2019s 450,000 members are ready to defend their communities.\n<\/p>\n \u201cAn attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,\u201d she said. \u201cWe will defend our civil rights, our freedoms, and our families against the cruelty of this administration.\u201d\n<\/p>\n James Davis, president of the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY, closed the rally with a vow to remain organized and unyielding.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe will stay nonviolent, but we will also stay noncooperative,\u201d he said, leading the crowd in a final chant of \u201cHands off New York City.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Organizers said the coalition, which stems from the nationwide coordinated \u201cHands Off\u201d protests, will hold trainings and citywide outreach<\/a> ahead of a larger \u201cNo Kings Day\u201d demonstration planned<\/a> for Oct. 18<\/a>, calling the effort an ongoing mobilization to strengthen local power \u201cbefore they come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"City](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/F8615240-7F0B-461C-B638-4A4DECEA9811_1_102_o.jpeg\" "\\"\u2018Hands")
City Comptroller Brad Lander addresses the crowd at City Hall Park, framing the \u2018Hands Off NYC\u2019 campaign as part of New York\u2019s long legacy of resistance against federal overreach.Photo by Adam Daly<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/789B6566-B877-4223-B1F4-A677BB77A59E_1_102_o.jpeg\" "\\"\u2018Hands")
Photo by Adam Daly<\/p>\n
\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/B216825A-8688-4A0C-9C2D-BF926FBDED63_1_105_c.jpeg\" "\\"\u2018Hands")
James Davis closes the \u2018Hands Off NYC\u2019 rally with a vow to stay organized and noncooperative, leading the crowd in a final chant of \u2018Hands off New York City Photo by Adam Daly\n<\/p>\n