Not afraid: New York City 'aware' of new Islamic State video threat, vows defiance

New York: New York police said Wednesday they were aware of a new Islamic State video targeting the city but stressed there was “no current or specific threat.” As the video emerged just days after the deadly terror attacks in Paris, Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed that “New York City will not be intimidated.” [caption id=“attachment_2513052” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Times Square. Screengrab from the Islamic State video[/caption] New York Police Department spokesman Stephen Davis said authorities were aware of a newly-released IS video that “mentions Times Square.” “While some of the video footage is not new, the video reaffirms the message that New York City remains a top terrorist target,” Davis said in a statement. “While there is no current or specific threat to the city at this time, we will remain at a heightened state of vigilance and will continue to work with the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the entire intelligence community to keep the City of New York safe.” “While Times Square and Herald Square appear in the video, the NYPD in conjunction with all of our partners are taking all necessary security precautions in these areas and areas across the City,” the mayor said. “New Yorkers won’t live in fear and people should continue to go to work, live their lives, and enjoy the greatest city in the world,” he added. “The people of New York City will not be intimidated. We understand it is the goal of terrorists to intimidate and disrupt our democratic society. We will not submit to their wishes,” de Blasio told reporters beneath Times Square’s bright lights. He stressed that the NYPD was “providing extraordinary protection” with 35,000 members. “And just in this last week, we initiated the first wave of our critical response command which will grow to 500-plus officers specifically dedicated to anti-terrorism activities,” the mayor added. NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said the video itself was “nothing new.” “It is a mishmash of previously released video. We believe it’s a compilation of videos going back to one in August that was directed against Germany, one in October directed against Israel, and 19 seconds of about a five-and-a-half minute video released today had scenes of New York,” he explained. “In New York we understand that we are a terrorist target,” Bratton said. “But do not be afraid. The NYPD will protect you,” Bratton said. “We will not be intimidated, and we will not live in fear.” AFP