Advocates are pressuring the city to close Rikers island, accusing mayor Eric Adams of taking too long to get it done.
Dozens rallied in front of City Hall Friday, March 8, right before the City Council’s criminal justice preliminary budget hearing.
They called for the mayor to deliver a budget that closes Rikers by moving the resources from the Department of Correction to crucial community needs.
The city plans to close Rikers by 2027, but officials say that is most likely not going to happen due to resistance from Mayor Adams and the slow progress in building the smaller borough facilities meant to replace it.