NYC Won't Do Business With Border Wall Contractors Under New Proposal

FOLEY SQUARE, NY — New York City public advocate Letitia James will introduce legislation that would ban companies that build President Donald Trump's planned border wall from doing business with New York City, she announced at a rally here on Tuesday. For more news from Tribeca and the Financial District, sign up for Patch news alerts here.

"Companies have a choice — help build the wall, a monument to racism and bigotry, or do business in New York City. We won’t allow you to do both," James said in a statement. "The same cranes President Trump uses for his wall, cannot simply be turned around to build our schools."

James announced her plans at a rally she organized in Foley Square to protest one of Trump's most controversial and expensive campaign promises. As part of Trump's promised immigration overhaul, he has vowed to build a physical wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The border wall was one of his most oft-repeated campaign promises, and "Build the wall!" was a frequent chant from his supporters at campaign rallies.

James said her legislation would block any company that works on the wall from obtaining contracts with the city. In addition, James said she would submit a motion calling for the city's largest pension system to divest from companies working on the wall. James is a trustee of that pension system, the New York City Employee Retirement System.

This post has been updated with additional information.

Lead image via Patch.