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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

Mayor Bill de Blasio Gave Updates on First Ebola Patient; NYPD Hatchet Attack; Muslim Reaction

Aired October 24, 2014 - 12:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK: I want to give you a briefing and I'm going to start by reiterating some of the items that we raised last night and will then be adding information.

You'll hear from my colleagues and then we'll take questions from the media. Want to emphasize all questions will be on this topic.

Yesterday we announced that a patient at Bellevue Hospital had tested positive for Ebola. I want to repeat what I said last night. There is no cause for alarm. New Yorkers need to understand the situation is being handled and handled well. There's no cause for everyday New Yorkers to be alarmed.

Ebola is an extremely hard disease to contract. It's transmitted only through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids of another individual. Only through that direct and intimate contact can the disease be transmitted. It cannot be transmitted through casual contact. It cannot be transmitted in airborne fashion. New Yorkers who have not been exposed to an infected person's bodily fluids are simply not at risk and there's no reason for New Yorkers to change their daily routine in any way.

I want to just talk about some of the people who are here with us at this point and I want to say at the outset, every New Yorker should be proud of the leaders of our city agencies who have responded with extraordinary ability. We should be very proud of the men and women who have done the work of addressing this crisis, the months of training and preparation that our city employees and our partners in the voluntary hospitals have put into this effort has paid off.

The preparation levels were extraordinary. The leadership exhibited by the individuals surrounding me today, time and again proved to be ahead of the crisis. And that's why we have the situation under control because they planned for months and they've been working with extraordinarily capable New York City public employees.

I want to thank our Office of Emergency Management, Commissioner Joe Esposito who's done a tremendous job bringing all of the pieces. There have been many, many city state, nonprofit agencies, our business partners and the federal government working together. OEM has been right at the core of that and Joe has been one of our lead spokespeople throughout this crisis, explaining to New Yorkers and to the country what's being done here. I want to thank him for his leadership. I want to thank FDNY Commissioner Dan Niboro. EMS drilled for quite a

while knowing the day might come when they have to receive a patient with Ebola. The process played out exactly as the protocol dictated yesterday, literally to the T. The teams were drilled. They executed exactly correctly. And I want to say to Commissioner Niboro and his whole team, I commend them for their professionalism and the preparations that led to such a seamless transfer of the patient yesterday.

I want to thank our police leaders who are here, Chief Banks and Chief Waters, for their leadership and the close coordination with the NYPD throughout and I want to talk about our health care leaders in a moment who you will hear from who have been exemplary.

We've kept in close touch with elected officials representing all neighborhoods of New York City. I want to thank them for their support.

Hold on one second. Could we get that settled over there?

I want to thank them for their support and their efforts to inform the public to help make sure people had information they needed when they needed it. That's been extraordinarily important to our effort to get clear and consistent information out.

I want to thank all elected officials who've been part of this effort, particularly those who are with us here today. New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, public advocate Tish James, Comptroller Scott Springer, Brooklyn Borough president Eric Adams and Manhattan Borough president Gail Brewer.

I want to thank them all for their partnership.

Now let me emphasize what we have here in New York City that's so crucial in this dynamic. We have the finest public health system not only anywhere in this country but anywhere in the world. It's a public health system that has been developed over decades. It is ready for extraordinary challenges and it's proving it as we speak.

We are fully prepared to handle Ebola. Our medical experts here in the city have been studying this disease intensively and working closely with our federal partners and going so far as to consult with doctors in other parts of the country on the front line, including in Atlanta and Nebraska who have directly treated Ebola patients.

The partnership with the federal and state government has been consistent and seamless and that has been a very helpful in allowing us to know every precaution that we have to take and every type of precaution we had to undertake. And we've had clear and strong protocols from the beginning and they have been followed to the letter.

The patient who tested positive was taken to Bellevue following those protocols. From the moment the call came in, the process proceeded exactly as dictated -- interviewing the patient, getting the facts, having an EMS team that was specially trained, receive the patient, the handoff at Bellevue as the training dictated.

The patient is now being held in isolation at Bellevue and poses no threat to others. The Health Department's team of disease detectives, it's a very important point. The Health Department has a team of experts who act as detectives would in a police investigation. They go and retrace all the contacts that the patient has had and they are trained to do so. They have been work -- at work since the report came in, retracing all the steps of the patient. And we'll have a detailed delineation of those findings later in the day.

The patient's fiancee is being quarantined. And we are, as always, looking at each individual contact in determining whenever quarantine is necessary. We know, as was said last night, the patient took the subway, went to a bowling alley and went to a few other food establishments before being admitted to Bellevue yesterday. So we've been able to retrace those steps. Our teams have visited each of those establishments.

I want to emphasize again, casual contact cannot lead to acquiring this disease. The only threat is if one has come in contact directly with the bodily fluids of someone who has this disease. Before I turn to my colleagues, I want to do -- raise one important point because people in a moment of crisis always ask what they can do, what should they know? And I think it's important that we help New Yorkers understand the very crucial information that they need.

We've made clear all the things that Ebola is not. All the ways it does not transmit. But that still does not mean people cannot do something to help in this crisis. First, if you or a loved one feels you may meet the qualifications, meaning, you have traveled to the three countries in West Africa that are afflicted in the last 21 days and you have a fever and other symptoms, it is crucial to call 911 immediately, or go to a hospital emergency room.

I want to emphasize, those are the only two acceptable actions. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room. Do not wait, do not hesitate, do not wait to see if you get better. Do not go to a private doctor's office. Call 911 or go to an emergency room. If a loved one you fear may be afflicted and fits those criteria, call on their behalf to 911 or bring them to an emergency room.

Again, we have no other cases reported but it's important that people understand that is the protocol.

Second, we have to make sure that our medical professionals can focus on this crisis properly. And they don't need to have false reports or misleading dynamics clogging up their efforts which leads to something that every New Yorker can do if they haven't already, which is to get a flu shot. Sounds counterintuitive at first but it's very important. Because when you have the flu, it can seem like some of the same symptoms of Ebola.

Every New Yorker who gets a flu shot, it helps prevent flu in the family. It also helps our medical teams to not have to deal with something that may falsely indicate Ebola. BANFIELD: So as the mayor of New York City tries to reassure the city

of millions that they are OK, despite the fact that a case of Ebola has shown up in the big apple, a couple of things to stress. Number one he says that drills have been in place and that the protocols were followed to the T when Dr. Spencer called in to suggest he indeed is having these symptoms and he had indeed treated Ebola patients in West Africa. Number two, he confirms the fact that Dr. Spencer's fiancee is also being quarantined at this time.

The pictures you're seeing right now are Dr. Spencer's apartments. Presumably these are workers in some sense in the hazmat capacity who have shown up to effectively sanitize the apartment where Dr. Spencer had been living right up until he went to the hospital. And also calling out to all in New York City, if they have been to West Africa and have symptoms, that they're to immediately call 911 or seek treatment at an emergency room somewhere in the city.

But said effectively that the protocols that were in place worked. Last night he added, we have the benefit in New York of seeing what happened also in Dallas.

Now as the mayor is dealing with this extraordinary story of the first Ebola case in New York City, he's also dealing with something else.

A madman went on the loose with a hatchet. His target, four police officers posing for a photo. His target, four police officers who are simply posing for a photo. The carnage obvious from what you're seeing on your screen. We'll update you and let you know if there is a jihadist tie to this one.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: Another day, another possible lone wolf attack. Was it motivated by radical Islam or was it motivated by racism or could it have just been an extraordinarily disturbed man going on a rampage?

This time a man in New York City, armed with a hatchet, a foot and a half long hatchet, apparently stalking a group of four police officers in Queens before lunging at the policemen and striking two of them. He hit one of them in the arm and he hit the other one in the head. The two officers who were not hit, well, they did what you'd expect them to do, they shot and killed the attacker. That attacker now identified as Zale Thompson. There was an innocent bystander who gets into this story as well. That person was shot and we're told now she's recovering after going into surgery. Our Alexandra Field joins me live now.

So what's the latest on the two officers? How are they doing?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ashleigh, and that is the most important part. We know that one of the officers who was struck in the back of the head is still in the hospital. The woman who was shot, also in the hospital. But the three other officers involved in all of this have been treated and checked out and released at this point.

You showed the video of this man wielding a hatchet. Truly a disturbing attack that has raised a great deal of questions. Police identified the man behind that attack as Zale Thompson. But the overwhelming question for everyone is, what could have possibly motivated this kind of gruesome and brutal attack on uniformed officers? It's a question that everyone's asking. Ashleigh, we cannot get inside the mind of this man, but what we do know is what law enforcement sources are saying at this point.

They have been investigating for the last day what could have motivated this attack. We know that this is a man who had converted to Islam. There were some social media posts which led authorities to investigate whether or not this is a person who had ties to radical extremist, Islamic groups. At this point, authorities in New York tell CNN that there appear to be no ties. They don't believe that this attack was motivated by any kind of religious extremism, but they are taking a very close look at all of his social media postings. They say there's a great deal of writing expressing anti-white sentiments. Ashleigh, they're also talking to people who know Zale Thompson, trying to understand what would possess him to take a hatchet and go after four officers.

BANFIELD: Alexandra Field reporting live for us. Thank you for that.

This brazen hatchet attack is just the latest in -- I'm sure you have been thinking yourself -- several different incidents, deadly attacks in just a matter of days or weeks. Officials are concerned that they may be tied to this message that came out from ISIS. And I'll quote it. "If you're not able to find an IED or a bullet, then single out the disbelieving American, Frenchman, or any of their allies. Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife or run him over with your car."

Joining me is CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank.

So, you know, there have been many of these attacks in the last few months. The Oklahoma beheading. What happened on Parliament Hill in Canada. This hatchet attack in New York City. And we always hear officials say, it doesn't appear there's a -- necessarily a tie to radical Islam. And then you see their FaceBook pages and you see the things that they - they espouse. You see the pictures they've put up and it sure looks like there's ties to radial Islamist. So is this just parsing and splitting hairs over what a tie really is?

PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Yes, I mean the attacks in Canada, the two attacks in Canada this week, they do quite clearly seem to be an animated by radical Islam. They had those kind of views. They wanted to travel and fight in Syria. The same with the Oklahoma beheading just a few weeks ago. Somebody who was posting images of the 9/11 attacks and Osama bin Laden on his FaceBook page. And with this hatchet attack that we've now seen in New York yesterday, well, about a - in the last few days, in fact the last month, he posted on an account saying he believed that jihad was necessary. An account apparently in his name, although CNN hasn't fully confirmed that.

BANFIELD: So I want you to listen to this sound from the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center with our Jim Sciutto. Have a listen to this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW OLSEN, FORMER DIR., NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CTR.: I would say the most likely type of attack is one of these home-grown, violent extremists or, you know, lone offenders in the United States perhaps. And the rise of ISIS and the number of people going to Syria, whether they're fighting with ISIS or fighting just in the conflict there against Assad, the likelihood, I think, does go up because there are a number of people who are there, who have gained some degree of training and radicalization.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: So, Paul, with that in mind, is it possible that clearly some of these people are so troubled and so sick? I mean we've heard just in the last two attacks alone and I, by the way, didn't even include the other car incident in Ottawa where a radicalized Muslim took off after two soldiers and killed one of them by running them over with the car. They all seem to have a lot of trouble in their background. Some drug addiction, alcoholism, that sort of thing. I'm wondering if these are the kind of guys who would have maybe shot up a movie theater or a school but found another reason to ply a trade they were going to do already, or if these are additional attacks truly inspired because of the messages and the communications from ISIS.

CRUICKSHANK: I think these are deeply political acts. They killed a Canadian soldier by crashing a car into him on Monday. They attacked the Canadian parliament. The parliament that authorized Canada to join the anti-ISIS coalition. I think these are people are likely inspired by ISIS' message, which is that they should launch lone wolf attacks in the United States and Canada or other western countries.

BANFIELD: But I think my question is -- my question isn't so much that they're -- it surely looks like they're inspired. I mean just read their FaceBook posts for heaven's sake. My question is, are these people so troubled it would have been some other kind of attack anyway? And not to suggest one attack is worse - or the motive is worse, whether it's ISIS or just crazy. But are we seeing additional killings and attacks because of the urging of ISIS or are we just seeing crazy people finding a reason to do what they would have done otherwise?

CRUICKSHANK: I think it's because of the messages ISIS is putting out. I don't think these people necessarily would have carried out violent attacks. I think they're seeing what ISIS is putting out there. They're deeply influenced by this world view. Sure, some of them are sort of mentally unstable and that could mean that it's perhaps a narrow window to move from thought to action to violence. But I don't think they would have necessarily carried out these attacks without this ideology out there which is inspiring them.

BANFIELD: OK. Paul Cruickshank, thank you for that. Appreciate it.

CRUICKSHANK: Sure.

BANFIELD: It's certainly not the news anyone wants to hear, but it's critical information nonetheless. Paul Cruickshank reporting for us today.

Coming up next, what do you suppose the reaction would be in Canada after someone who is recently radicalized goes and shoots up parliament, kills a beloved member guarding the war memorial of the Canadian Armed Forces? What do you think the response would be, particularly from the Islamic community? Take a close look at your screen. We're going to talk about exactly what happened at that war memorial yesterday and what might be the bigger, broader message, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: As we slowly begin to learn more about an attack on the Canadian parliament, the body of the slain Canadian soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, is set to be transported next hour to his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. And you can imagine, this promises to be a pretty solemn procession.

So while we're processing what happened in parliament and this shooter who was gunned down, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the Canadians are slowly coming to terms with Wednesday's brazen daylight assault on the heart of their democracy and video images emerge of the madman running straight up on to Parliament Hill.

So, as you know, one soldier had already been killed, that was Cirillo, in cold blood. Another person was wounded before that gunman was -- eventually fell by the sergeant in arms. And this tweet may just say it all, "Canada has lost her innocence." The author of that tweet is John Ivison. He's a political columnist with "The National Post" in Ottawa.

John, it's good to have you back again. I'm really glad that you're with us because we spent the better part of the day two days ago texted back and forth as you were on lockdown until well into the night before you got that much needed glass of scotch.

There is already - I mean Canadians are wasting no time, it seems, John, in taking action, legislative action, with regard to what just happened. Can you tell me what's happening in terms of trying to track extremism and stop it in its tracks?

JOHN IVISON, POLITICAL COLUMNIST, "NATIONAL POST": Yes, no, we don't know the details of what's going to happen, but we - but Stephen Harper, the prime minister, told the House of Commons yesterday that the police need new powers when it comes to surveillance and arrests and detention. He didn't give any details. I think these plans were in the works already, but they're now going to be expedited he said.

And since then I've talked to people who tell me that one of the things they're likely to do is follow what the U.K. did after the attacks in 2005. And that is, if you condone or glorify terrorism online or in publication or in print, then you are committing an act. Now, the big frustration with one of the guys, the gentleman who died earlier in the week when he ran over -- after running over two soldiers, he had a website which was saying disbelievers should burn in hell, ISIS black flags on his computer. They actually had people fully aware of this but they couldn't really do anything about it. They had no evidence to prosecute him. Well, I think once these new laws go through, there will be -- that will be an offense and people like that will be picked up.

BANFIELD: So, John, can I ask you about something you witnessed at the war memorial, I think it was yesterday? I think you may have seen an imam showing up with flowers at the memorial. And I just wanted to get some reaction from the people around you and what the reaction in the Muslim community in Canada has been to what transpired.

IVISON: Well, I think the Muslim community is exactly like the rest of the community and also in Canada. I spoke to that imam and he said, I felt it was my duty as a Canadian to come here. He had a large bouquet. And he said solidarity. And I think that is exactly what we're seeing behind me on the war memorial here. I've just been up there and it's scarcely credible it's the same place where all the chaos unfolded two days ago. People are crying. I saw a young Muslim girl coming away crying. It's a very emotional place. Very silent. Very somber. Maybe typically Canadian, but people are - they're angry but they're showing their respect right now.

BANFIELD: Well, I am sorry you're going through this, but coming from somebody who lived through 9/11 and the end of innocence in this country effectively, I think I know what you're going through and I hope you all come to terms with this and in a solidarity kind of way can make your way through it. John, nice to have you. Thanks so much.

IVISON: Thank you.

BANFIELD: Best to you for this weekend.

And thank you all for joining us as well. Happy Friday. Please stay tuned. My colleague, Wolf Blitzer, starts right now.