Mayor Bill de Blasio: It’s a tremendous honor to be with these leaders of the Jewish community here in Paris, and to be in this wonderful school. I had a very moving visit with the students. And there’s a sense, obviously, of the dangers people face today in this country, and I would say beyond this country, in Europe – the challenges the Jewish community faces.

We in New York City have a deep sense of solidarity with the Jewish community. I have the honor of being the mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population on earth, and I wanted to be here in solidarity with the Jewish community of Paris, and of France, to express the pain that we have felt with them – but much more so, the understanding that we have to protect this community. This is a community that stands for so much that’s good in the world, and deserves protection. It’s heartening to see the soldiers protecting the school across the street. We need to see a real consistency of support and protection for this community all over France, and all over Europe.

Question: Mayor, not just for the Jewish community, but for all of Paris, for the people who’ve gone through these two attacks in the last couple of weeks – what is the message that you want to bring from New York to all people in Paris?

Mayor: Well, I can say that New York City is in solidarity with Paris. We share so much. We share an extraordinary history – the people of France and the people of the United States, the people of Paris and the people of New York. But we’re here in solidarity, because both our cities have experienced terror. Both our cities understand what it is to fight back. And when we were at the Hyper Cacher, and the – seeing the monument there, the outpouring of love and support, even in the face of hatred and terror; the solidarity that people are showing each other, the support they were showing each other – this is the way forward. And I wanted to come here to let the people of Paris know that New York City stands with them.

Question: How did this – this is kind of a last-minute trip, it surprised some of us, but what was the one motivating factor, if you will, of why you decided to, last-minute, to do this?

Mayor: I think – I think this tragedy was a crucial moment in global history, because it spoke to so many challenges simultaneously. It certainly spoke to the fight for the freedom of expression, and I think you’ve seen an incredible outpouring around the world, of a recommitment to protecting the right to free speech, which is a right we associate with France, and its history. I think it’s a moment to remind people that we protect all faiths. That’s what we believe in. And the attack on the supermarket was an affront to the Jewish community all over the world. And it’s important to recognize it as such. It’s important to see it as part of the cancer of anti-semitism, which is still too present in Europe, and has to be addressed. So, I think so many powerful ideas and feelings came together at once. It was important to be here to express the solidarity of New York, and also to say, that we are fighting some of the same struggles in New York, and we will fight them together.

Question: Do you think our president should make the same trip?

Mayor: Well, I – the president spoke to that, and I want to remind people, the attorney general is here, the secretary of state was here, which is good. But, I think it’s important for Americans of all backgrounds to show solidarity right now with the people of Paris.

Phil: One more, guys.

Mayor: Anything else?

Phil: All right, thanks guys. Let’s go.

Mayor: Thank you, everyone.

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