NEW YORK CITY, New York: On Good Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with a group of prisoners, was baptized the Rev. Al Sharpton at Rikers Island jail complex.
In a statement, Democrat Adams said, “Having been arrested and then elected mayor, I reminded these young men that where you are is not who you are.”
“For the first time in their lives, their mayor did not look down at them. I sat side by side with them to be cleansed and recommit ourselves to getting on the right path,” he added.
During their long tenures in New York politics, Adams and Sharpton have shared close ties. Adams often calls into Sharpton’s satellite radio show, and the pair have appeared together at City Hall events.
The city-run jail complex has been plagued by violence and neglect and is the subject of an ongoing legal battle that could result in a federal takeover.
Earlier this week, Adams also visited Rikers to meet with prisoners.
In an interview this week on New York City radio show “The Breakfast Club,” Adams said, “I have been on Rikers Island more than any mayor in the history of the city talking with inmates and correction officers to turn around what is happening on Rikers Island.”
