De Blasio’s Misstep

This past week, the G20 International summit took off in full swing. Leaders from around the world gathered for the annual economic forum. Central Bank Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Presidents came to check in on the global economy and work on the future. Chancellor Angela Merkel presided over the events in Hamburg. Many watched in anticipation as Donald Trump met his counterpart Vladimir Putin and both say it went pretty well. However, there were some who were not super psyched about the summit.

Thousands of protesters descended on the city of Hamburg in response to the event. They espoused the gospel of revolutionary Marxism and anarchism. The event represented capitalism and financial globalization, an growing affront to the progressive far left. Protesters opposed some attendees reluctance to fight social injustice, protect the environment, etc. Some opposed the even extremely violently. Around 476 police officers were injured at the event. In the context of his part in the protest, New York Mayor Bill De Balsio screwed up horribly. He was personally invited and flown out to Hamburg to speak at an event opposing the summit.

In the meantime, the Mayor’s City of New York has had a rough past couple of days. Penn Station, one of the chief transport hubs of New York, was preparing shut down for repairs. Commuters plans for entering and leaving one of the most important cities in the country are awry and yet the chief executive of the city is no where to be found. He knew these repairs and subsequent delays would be coming and yet he decided to take a paid vacation to Germany.

Second, and most disheartening, De Blasio fled to Hamburg right after the assassination of NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia. He even missed the candlelight vigil for the slain officer, choosing instead to go on his trip to Hamburg. Speaking at the protest event instead of attending to the police force, and also missing a swearing-in ceremony for new cadets is outright shameful. Not to mention the irony that at the end of all the protests in Hamburg, 476 police officers were injured. No wonder so many in New York City were disturbed by his choice in actions. No wonder why hundreds of officers turned their back on him as he spoke at the funeral once he eventually did come back.

On the whole, De Blasio took a huge misstep by going to Hamburg. He was noble in trying to further his political agenda in protest of Trump, but could not have chose poorer timing. He left during the preparations for a transportation nightmare. He chose to leave his police force behind when they were grieving. I am genuinely curious why De Blasio thought he needed to fly to Hamburg and speak there. To score political points-it is quite clear he lost many while away. He messed up in decision making and should have put the needs of his city ahead of his personal political agenda.