Liberal activist Michael Moore criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams during his podcast Monday for calling some protesters at colleges and universities “outside agitators.”
“There is no outside agitator because these schools live in the communities. They exist in the communities. They participate in the communities,” he said. “And especially the free colleges or mostly free colleges, they represent New York City, which is maybe one-third white, but two-thirds are non-white. And you go to these schools and you see that they are prepared to represent and teach, educate a diverse group of youth and adults throughout the community.”
Adams, along with the New York Police Department, blamed “outside agitators” for the chaos and riots at New York University and Columbia University.
Michael Moore attends the 6th Annual DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute at Gotham Hall on November 7, 2019 in New York City. (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK RIOT: ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS THROW BOTTLES AT NEW YORK POLICE AND FORM HUMAN CHAIN AMID MASS ARRESTS
“We cannot allow outside agitators to come in and be destructive to our city,” Adams said during a news conference in late April. “Someone wanted something to happen at that protest at NYU.”
“People who peacefully protest about an issue are not throwing bottles [and] chairs,” he continued. “That's why we know that we have recognized and we have seen throughout the country that there are people who come [who] They have nothing to do with the problem and want to make it worse. “Now, if those police officers had not shown a high level of discipline, this could have been an unpleasant situation.”
Moore called Adams' description of the protesters a “joke.”
“It's just amazing to see the mayor of New York, this guy, wow,” he said.
Moore, a frequent critic of President Biden and his stance on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, praised the protests and supported those who took over campus buildings. Protesters took over Columbia's Hamilton Hall, breaking windows and barricading themselves inside.
“You have to take control of the buildings. That's not violence,” Moore said. “I hope this continues. I applaud every student who has taken a stand on campus, at graduation, whatever. This is the purpose of a democracy.”
Benches and trash cans block the entrance to Hamilton Hall, where some student protesters camped out on the Columbia University campus, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, Swimming Pool)
ANTI-SEMITE UNREST IN COLUMBIA REACHES BOILING POINT AS AGITATORS TAKE ACADEMIC BUILDING AND BARRICADE GATES
“If you haven't started a camp at your university, do it!” he said. “Take a stand. This is the good thing about your generation. I mean, we handed you a shitty world.”
Moore also continued his criticism of Biden during the podcast, saying he has “no idea” the damage he has caused by “arming” Israel.
“What are we going to do? I know, because we're not going to let Trump come back to the White House,” he said. “So we're going to resolve this, but until then, we first have to make our voices heard. So let him exercise his right to free speech.”
A student protester displays a Palestinian flag in front of the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, Swimming Pool)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Student demonstrations protesting the war between Israel and Hamas and calling on their universities to divest of funding linked to Israel have taken over university campuses in recent weeks, prompting some schools to cancel graduation ceremonies. , Fox News Digital previously reported.
