N.Y.C. Mayor Compares Housing Activist to Plantation Owner

“I don’t control the Board. I make appointments. They make the decision. Everyone knows I don’t control the Board.” “That’s not true. And the fact of the matter is that it’s not small landholders. It’s big landholders, that they’re the main ones. We’re not talking about your little tiny landlord. We’re not talking about that. We’re talking about the Rent Guidelines Board that you said before and after that you supported those rent increases. In Nassau, they had a 0 percent rent increase. Why in New York City – where the real estate is controlling you, Mr. Mayor – why are we having these horrible rent increases last year and this year?” “OK, first, if you’re going to ask a question, don’t point at me, and don’t be disrespectful to me. I’m the mayor of this city, and treat me with the respect that I deserve to be treated. I’m speaking to you as an adult. Don’t stand in front like you’re treating someone that’s on the plantation that you own. Give me the respect I deserve, and engage in the conversation. Up here in Washington Heights, treat me with the same level of respect I treat you. So, don’t be pointing at me. Don’t be disrespectful to me. Speak with me as an adult because I’m a grown man. I walked into this room as a grown man, and I’m ’a walk out of this room as a grown man. I answered your question. Go to the next table.”