A growing number of mayoral candidates is dropping out of a forum set to be hosted by the Brooklyn Democratic Party, saying it hasn't taken enough action over a member's offensive statements.
City Comptroller Scott Stringer said Tuesday he wouldn't participate, explaining: "Because @bkdems has failed to take action to hold Lori Maslow accountable, I will not be participating in the party's upcoming forum.
"I look forward to many other forums and conversations in Brooklyn. We cannot equivocate with hate," the Manhattan Democrat tweeted.
At issue are recent statements by Maslow, a local district leader.
"We're sickof [sic] buying from China. They did this to us," she tweeted Jan. 2, apparently referring to coronavirus. "I can't even look at Chinese food."
© Barry WilliamsAndrew Yang
Andrew Yang (Barry Williams/)
Statements appearing to urge that Palestinians be "wiped off the face of earth" also surfaced, prompting Maslow to resign a vice-chair post with the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
Local critics have called on the party to urge her to step down as district leader, an elected position.
Maslow could not immediately be reached for comment.
"I sincerely apologize for the poor choice of words I used in a social media post ... which were hurtful to members of the Chinese American community," she was quoted as saying in the Brooklyn Paper.
© Provided by New York Daily NewsDianne Morales
Dianne Morales (Jeff Bachner/)
Ex-de Blasio aide Maya Wiley dropped out of the upcoming forum on Tuesday afternoon. Prior to that, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, former nonprofit CEO Dianne Morales and Councilman Carlos Menchaca (D-Brooklyn) said they wouldn't participate.
"While Andrew is eager to participate in candidate forums across the City, Ms. Maslow's unacceptable and offensive speech go against everything he and this campaign stand for," said Yang spokesman Jake Sporn.
© Clarissa SosinCarlos Menchaca
Carlos Menchaca (Clarissa Sosin/)
A spokesman for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who has support from many local leaders, did not immediately state whether he would participate in the forum, set to be held Sunday.
"Lori Maslow's remarks contradict the core values of the party," party spokesman Bob Liff said in an email. "It is disappointing to see a single district leader's repugnant remarks become falsely conflated with a party that stands for inclusivity and promotes unity ... For the critics, this is more about self-aggrandizement and disruption than it is about promoting any cause."