Dem. Staffer Caught Ripping Down Israeli Hostage Posters and Assaulting Person

A staffer in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, tasked with promoting unity and bridging cultural divides, is facing severe backlash after being caught on video ripping down an Israeli hostage poster and allegedly assaulting the person recording her actions. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many calling for her immediate dismissal.

The staffer, identified as 25-year-old Nallah Sutherland, works as a special events coordinator for the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Community Events. Video footage, shared online by the nonprofit StopAntisemitism, shows Sutherland tearing the poster from a light pole on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, shredding it, and tossing it in the trash.

Eyewitness Confrontation

The video also captures a tense exchange between Sutherland and an eyewitness, who questions her actions. “Those were hostages. They were taken by terrorists,” the man says. Sutherland is then seen swiping at his phone, briefly knocking it out of focus. “That’s assault actually. You know that, right?” the man responds as Sutherland smirks and walks away.

The posters were part of a public awareness campaign highlighting Israeli and American hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Minimal Disciplinary Action Sparks Outrage

Sutherland, who earns $61,135 annually and began working for the administration in 2023, has so far avoided severe consequences. According to a City Hall source, she was required to undergo “multicultural training,” and a disciplinary note was added to her file.

Critics, including StopAntisemitism founder Liora Rez, have denounced the response as insufficient. “It’s an appalling act of antisemitism,” Rez said. “Decisive action must be taken to purge this disgusting pro-jihadist sentiment from city government.”

Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov echoed the outrage, calling Sutherland’s continued employment “extremely hypocritical.” “Someone who supports the murder of anyone still has a job … in a department that plays a vital role in our city’s diversity efforts? That’s unacceptable,” said Vernikov.

City Hall Responds

City Hall stated that disciplinary action was taken immediately and that multicultural training would now be mandatory for all staff in Sutherland’s department. “Mayor Adams has been clear that hate has no place in our city,” a spokesperson said, emphasizing that the administration holds its 300,000 employees to a high standard.

Despite the city’s response, many remain unsatisfied. Yoav Davis, founder of Jews of NY, called Sutherland’s actions “especially disturbing,” given her role in promoting diversity.

A Broader Climate of Fear

The eyewitness, who is Jewish, has chosen to remain anonymous, citing fears of retribution amidst a surge in antisemitic incidents. “It’s a sad state of affairs when the victim doesn’t trust the NYPD or the district attorney to investigate hate crimes properly,” Rez remarked.

The controversy has shone a spotlight on the Adams administration’s handling of hate incidents and sparked debates about accountability in government. Whether the backlash will lead to further consequences for Sutherland remains to be seen.

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