Pols Stand Behind Muslim NYC Ferry Riders As Mayor Pledges Probe

NEW YORK — Elected officials stood behind several Muslim families who were allegedly denied NYC Ferry rides because of their religion as Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to probe the ordeal.

City and federal lawmakers condemned the Wednesday allegations that ferry staffers barred three mothers and eight children from boarding a boat at the Wall Street terminal last month because of a dubious "security issue."

"No form of discrimination — racial, religious, whatever — is acceptable in our diverse city," Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said on Twitter, adding that his office is monitoring the incident. "Our (NYC Ferry) system's for ALL New Yorkers."

The Muslim families filed a religious discrimination complaint against the municipal ferry service with the city's Commission on Human Rights. The city Economic Development Corporation, which runs the NYC Ferry, has said it is investigating the incident.

De Blasio said his office will "confront" what happened and "hold those involved accountable." The Democratic mayor has made the NYC Ferry one of his signature programs since its 2017 launch.

"Discrimination anywhere is an insult to ALL New Yorkers," de Blasio said. "My team is looking into this. Bigotry has no place in this city."

The incident also drew fire from City Council Member Justin Brannan and U.S. Rep. Max Rose, both Democrats who represent Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood. That's where the families boarded a ferry Sept. 21 before their family outing turned sour, according to their complaint.

"My team is looking into this and working to get more information ASAP," Brannan said on Twitter. "Here's what I know: there is absolutely no place for discrimination or bigotry in New York City."

Rose said he is also keeping an eye on the city's probe of the ordeal.

"Discrimination of any kind has no place in our city," Rose tweeted. "I’m monitoring the ongoing investigation because this is completely unacceptable."

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez also weighed in Thursday. Gounardes praised the EDC for taking the flap "extremely seriously."

"I'll continue to monitor the situation to hold them accountable and ensure something like this doesn't happen again," the Democratic senator said on Twitter.

Velazquez, also a Democrat, said the families "did nothing to warrant being denied service."

"There is a clear distinction between protecting our national security & infringing upon civil rights," Velazquez tweeted. "... We will continue to work to uphold NYC’s commitment to nondiscrimination."