Inna Vernikov[a] (born August 30, 1984) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the New York City Council for the 48th District.
[7] While campaigning, she said “Jews coming from the former Soviet Union are very familiar with communism and socialism, and many of us feel strongly that what today’s Democratic Party is promoting is exactly what we ran from—a place where speech was censored, where we were not allowed to practice religion, where we didn’t have freedom or economic opportunity.”[4] Vernikov received the support of the district's former councilman Democrat Chaim Deutsch (who had been expelled from the council after pleading guilty to tax fraud), and was endorsed by Donald Trump Jr. (who made a robocall on her behalf).
[7][9] As a councilwoman, Vernikov organized a rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in New York City outside Gracie Mansion in Manhattan.
[10] She had also organized a march against antisemitism after two Jewish teenagers were assaulted for wearing a hoodie with the logo of the Israel Defense Forces.
"[20][21] On October 13, 2023, Vernikov was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a firearm after bringing a gun to a pro-Palestinian rally by Brooklyn College's campus.
[22] Vernikov had accused the protestors of supporting Hamas following the start of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, and claimed the rallies would make CUNY campuses unsafe for Jewish students.