NEW YORK — In the fast-moving Democratic primary race for mayor, the fight Friday was between the moderate Democrats and the one progressive who might stand a chance.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was on the attack during a rally alongside supporters in Harlem, where he railed against Maya Wiley's record on police reform.

"Listen, we don't need a college professor,” Adams said. “We need a professional who knows how to keep this city safe.”

Meanwhile in Brooklyn, tempers were running high.Wiley was in Adams territory Friday morning, rallying with supporters in Central Brooklyn in the shadow of the Brooklyn Public Library.

Wiley stood alongside civil rights activist Kirsten John Foy, who accused Adams of favoring aggressive policing tactics that have historically disproportionally impacted Black and brown New Yorkers.

“I am indignant at the candidacy of Eric Adams, and the candidacy of Kathryn Garcia and the candidacy of Andrew Yang,” Foy said. "We are never returning to stop and frisk."

Foy also suggested Garcia, who is also climbing in the polls, has been quietly seeking the approval of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union representing rank-and-file police officers.

“I’m going to call out Pat Lynch, and I'm going to call out Kathryn Garcia for embracing and trying to ingratiate yourself," Foy said.

Garcia denied the accusation.

“I haven’t talked to the PBA at all, I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Garcia told NY1.

Then it was over to Manhattan, where Wiley rallied alongside clergy leaders and former presidential candidate Julian Castro.

Hours later, back in Brooklyn and surrounded by his supporters, Adams unleashed attacks of his own, accusing Wiley of being missing in action through years of police brutality, suggesting she’s out of touch with communities most impacted by gun violence.

“They want ro come in and define my record when they don’t have a record,” Adams said. “Where were you, Maya? Where were you?”

The battle between Adams and Wiley may signal a significant split in across the Black vote — a younger progressive generation of Black New Yorkers and the more moderate ones who support increasing police presence as a response to violence.

There are four days to go to the primary and with a majority of New Yorkers saying they're worried about crime and public safety, Adams and Wiley are on a collision course and a fight over ideology: how to respond to the rising crime rate and reform policing for the future.

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