New York City Mayor, Eric Adams quoted Drake and addressed the protestors during his speech at Pace University’s Commencement program today at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
Speaking to a crowd of 15,000 people, Adams said he has always stood against injustice and has been involved in protests throughout his life. He remembered those he stood with during his careers like Trevor Martin, Clifford Glover, Arthur Miller, Amadou Diallo, Norbet Zongo, and Abner Louima.
“I know protests, but I'm not getting a degree today because I know how to protest,” Adams said. “I'm getting a degree because, after protests, you must do something to protect. You cannot simply protest, you have to protect,” he said.
He encouraged the students to go forward to achieve the “American Dream” and not get daunted by haters.
Adams concluded his speech with, “All I can say, have your haters become your waiters when you sit down at the table of success”.
