New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city is “ready to fight against terror in every way” following the deadly attacks at an airport and subway station in Brussels.
“The community of nations has to stand together in moments like this and reject the the forces of terror and the appalling violence that they reek upon innocent people,” the mayor said during a press conference Tuesday. “We in New York City stand ready to fight against terror in every way.”
The NYPD has activated its Critical and Strategic response units and deployed additional counterterrorism teams to major landmarks, transit hubs and other high-profile locations, a local CBS News affiliate reported. The Port Authority Police Department also increased security at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports.
“The NYPD and all our partners are keeping the people of this city safe,” Mr. de Blasio said. “What the terrorists want is for us to change our ways. The terrorists want to undermine our democracy, they want undermine our values, they want to see us in panic. We refuse to be afraid, we refuse to change who we are. We are going to respond to their efforts to create chaos by showing them order, by showing our society functioning, our city functioning.”
The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for coordinated blasts at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station that killed 31 people in Brussels Tuesday. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the attacks senseless and heartbreaking, CBS News reported.
“Public safety is paramount, and I want the people of this state to know that we are working with all local and federal partners, remaining vigilant and taking all necessary measures to keep New Yorkers safe,” Mr. Cuomo said.
“These were acts of pure evil that have claimed the lives of people who were doing nothing more than going about their days,” he said. “My heart grieves for all those who have been impacted, and as we learn more about these attacks, New York will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the international community against terrorism — as the world has done for us in the past. And as we have seen time and again, when we are united, terror has never prevailed and never will.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.