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Dear New Yorkers,

The Turkish Cultural Center in Sheepshead Bay was a regular stop on Eric Adams’ community circuit for years, through his first term as Brooklyn borough president.

But something happened between 2016 and 2017. That’s when Adams stopped associating with the center. Two people involved recently told THE CITY that they hadn’t known why.

At least, not until last week.

According to the federal indictment that was unsealed last Thursday, a Turkish official allegedly told Adams he should cut ties with the center. It was affiliated with a political movement opposed to Turkey’s president, and Adams was allegedly instructed to stay away if he wanted to keep receiving support from the Turkish government.

Adams acquiesced, according to the indictment. (The indicment also alleges he was pressured to not acknowledge the 1915 Armenian genocide, which the Turkish state continues to deny.)

“I was surprised to learn he stopped talking to our community members after he got a request or order from the Turkish regime,” said one of the people. “It was shocking news for us.”

“We thought he was our friend,” the person added.

Read more here about how Adams allegedly took cues on dissidents to keep up his relationship with the current Turkish government.

Weather 🌤

Mostly sunny, with a high of 71 during the day. There’s a chance of showers in the early hours of Saturday morning, for all you late-nighters.

MTA 🚇

Limited 7 service midday, no scheduled B service nights and weekends, and more. Find the latest delays and planned changes here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s suspended today, Oct. 4, for Rosh Hashanah.

By the way 🗑

Curbside composting, which has already rolled out in Brooklyn and Queens, is expanding to The Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island this weekend. Learn more and find an info session here.

Our Other Top Stories

At a recent monthly community council meeting in Brownsville — the first since a police shooting on an L train platform had severely injured two bystanders — the head of Brooklyn Patrol North suggested they would soon bring a tactical stimulator used to train police to the community. He suggested it would help civilians “walk in other people’s shoes” and thus, imagine how stressful such an incident might have been for the cops. Not everyone at the meeting was satisfied. A dock workers’ strike that could have begun to create shortages and price increases has officially ended.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Saturday, Oct. 5: A discovery lab for kids age 5 to 12 focused on civic engagement in New York City, built around the museum’s Shirley Chisholm exhibit. Free with admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York. Saturday, Oct. 5: A daylong birthday bash celebrating the Brooklyn Museum’s 200th anniversary that includes curator talks, art, music and more. Free from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., registration required. Saturday Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6: The 41st Queens Agricultural Fair, with pie eating and corn husking contests, hayrides, carnival rides and midway games. Day tickets are $14 for adults and $9 for kids. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Queens County Farm Museum.

Don’t miss out on our birthday celebration!

We couldn’t have gotten here without you, our valued readers. For five years, you've been the reason we can report on the stories that matter most, from housing to climate change. Join us in celebrating by giving a gift that powers our future.

Celebrate with us!

THE KICKER: The giant flying spiders that were predicted to be swarming the city this summer never showed up. But, they’re pretty close by.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday.

Love,

THE CITY

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