Nallah Sutherland, a special events coordinator for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office, has been suspended without pay indefinitely after a video showed her tearing down an Israeli hostage poster on the Upper East Side and allegedly assaulting an eyewitness, reported the New York Post.
The incident, which took place on November 2, 2023, sparked widespread outrage after social media platforms and nonprofit groups shared the footage.
In the viral 20-second clip, Sutherland was seen removing the poster, which was part of a public awareness campaign for hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack on Israel.
When confronted by an eyewitness who questioned her actions, Sutherland allegedly swiped at his phone, briefly knocking it out of focus. “That’s assault, actually,” the man says in the footage.
Sutherland, who earns $61,135 annually as a junior staffer, initially faced light disciplinary measures, including mandatory multicultural training and a note in her personnel file.
Following criticism from Bronx Representative Ritchie Torres and Jewish advocacy groups, Mayor Adams, who was not initially involved in the disciplinary decision, took stronger action.
The Mayor’s Office issued a statement confirming Sutherland’s indefinite suspension pending further investigation. “Mayor Adams has been clear that hate has no place in our city,” a City Hall spokesperson said.
Rep Ritchie Torres condemned the initial response as inadequate, stating on social media, “Tearing down posters of the hostages is completely unacceptable and would not be tolerated.” Jewish organisations also voiced their concerns, emphasising the role of city officials in fostering unity rather than division.
Sutherland, who joined Mayor n in 2023, was responsible for organising events to celebrate New York City’s diverse communities.
The suspension comes as Mayor Adams seeks to maintain his administration’s commitment to cultural inclusivity and zero tolerance for hate.
