A candidate for public advocate is accusing a rival, former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, of flipping him the bird during a public forum in East Harlem.
A photo shows Mark-Viverito appearing to flip her middle finger in the air during the event sponsored Monday night by Democratic clubs at the 5th Avenue Social Adult Day Care Center.
“She pledged how supportive she was of public housing and that housing was a priority for her,” Herbert told The Post.
“I spoke and said that Melissa was disingenuous on public housing. When she was speaker of the Council her campaign was to close Rikers and build new jails.”
Herbert said afterward he leaned over and whispered to Mark-Viverito: “You’re a liar and you lied. You’re with the big real estate people and that’s why you’re pushing to close Rikers Island.”
Herbert — who was sitting behind his opponent — said he saw her make a motion, but didn’t think anything of it since he was focused on listening to another candidate, Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez.
It was only after someone posted the photo of Mark-Viverito with her finger out that Herbert said he realized the coarse jab was directed at him.
“She flipped the bird. It was totally in response to me,” he said.
“The camera caught it. If I had known she was doing that, I would have brought it to everyone’s attention.”
Mark-Viverito insisted through a spokeswoman that she didn’t give the finger to Herbert– but wishes she had.
“This is hilarious and obviously false — but this kind of invasion of Melissa’s personal space by a man who felt entitled to it is nothing new. Our personal space is invaded by men every day in this city—almost makes us wish we had given him the finger.” said Mark- Viverito spokeswoman Monica Klein.
This story was originally published by NY Post
via USAHint.com
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