[UPDATE Excerpts from the presser below] After a NY State judge halted NYC's effort to ban sugary drinks over 16 ounces, Mayor Bloomberg's office announced that he would speak about the decision at 5:30 p.m. His remarks will be streamed on NYC.gov—or you can watch it below (it's not live yet, but it will be!)
[UPDATE] The press conference just wrapped up, with both Mayor Bloomberg and Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo stating repeatedly that they are confident that the judge's ruling will be overturned. "We knew...special interests would sue. That's America," Bloomberg said. "We believe that the judge's decision was clearly in error."
One reporter pointed out the amount of political capital that Bloomberg needed to expend to pass the ban, but the mayor framed the discussion in terms of his role as a protector of the people. "I didn't spend political capital...This is not a political capital thing this is one human being to another. I'm trying to take on everything I can. My job is to do the best I can for New Yorkers...I've got to defend my children and you, and do what's right to save lives. Obesity kills."
The mayor also dismissed the idea that a soda ban would hurt the bottom lines of soda slingers: "We're talking about lives versus profits."
He continued, "We all have an obligation to do what we can to help each other. Look in the mirror to say, what have I done to protect my family?"
