The City of New York stands with the U.S. Navy in mourning for the victims of last week's apparent terrorist attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. The bombing was an act of cowardice that has shocked and saddened the world as tensions in the Mideast remain high. Here in New York City there is no specific threat of any kind, according to the Police Department and the FBI, so people shouldn't worry. However, in an excess of caution, we are increasing patrols and increasing vigilance.
People have a right in America to make their views known.
Whether you believe that Israel hasn't been treated fairly, or whether you believe that the Palestinian Authority hasn't been treated fairly, you have the right to make your point. And you have the right to make that point unmolested. But regardless of what is happening overseas, people have no right to harm anyone else or destroy property here in New York City. The best way to discourage people from doing this is to catch them and put them in prison, like we did the suspects in the attempted firebombing of the Bronx synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur. We want to make certain that everyone understands that a line has to be drawn, and that the Police Department is prepared to arrest anyone who violates the law.