00:00Ecuadorian community across all five boroughs.
00:03It is a great honor to introduce the man who understands the power of unity, of culture,
00:08and of celebration, our great mayor, the mayor of the city of New York, Honorary Ecuadorian
00:14Eric Adams.
00:16Thank you and many of you know the councilman is the first Ecuadorian to be elected to the city council as well as the state lawmaker.
00:43He has been a clear and loud voice for this community during all times of turbulence.
00:50I remember many years ago during the major weather emergency how he stood up and mobilized the entire city to have a quick and rapid response and what he stands for.
01:03And I know you not only here in the great city of New York and Queens but also when I visited Ecuador
01:11and saw the hard-working energy and spirit of the Ecuadorian people and community and what you represent.
01:18And we knew when we first came into office that we would use this platform here at Bowling Green as the place that we raise the flags.
01:26And many of the flags we raise here were never raised prior to me becoming the mayor.
01:32It took 110 mayors before we understood that this city is made up of various different groups and cultures and understanding.
01:40And we see what you do every day and we want to say thank you.
01:45We owe you a debt of gratitude for coming to this great city and bringing your food, your culture, your dance, your music, your contribution to the city that not only do you love but you give back to every day.
01:59And I want to thank the council general for his partnership as we communicate together on building and making this a city that can raise healthy children and families and our entire team.
02:09And I want to thank, he's not an Ecuadorian, he's an honorary Ecuadorian, the commissioner of mayor's office of immigrant affairs, commissioner Castro, a dreamer, a dreamer came into the country with his mother.
02:26A dreamer, a dreamer, every since a high school student fighting for immigrant rights and now he's in charge of the dreams of others, of all groups who come here and he has lived up to that responsibility and obligation and I'm proud to serve with him as the commissioner of immigrant affairs.
02:48Because that is what it's going to take for us to ensure that we fight and protect hardworking immigrants from all over the country.
02:57That's what this city means.
02:59That's what this city represents.
03:01And so when we raise your flag today, we're raising your spirits.
03:05We're raising your commitment.
03:07We're raising your dedication.
03:08And we also are raising the men and women who stand to my left, the men and women who wear the blue uniform of public safety, the large Ecuadorian population.
03:19I remember when I first came in the police department, you did not see this.
03:23And now you see a clear reflection of how your community are now on the are now on the front line to protect everyday working class people of the city.
03:34I'm proud to be the mayor of the city of New York and I'm proud to be the Ecuadorian capital of America right here in New York City.
03:42Happy Independence Day.
03:48Thank you, Mayor.
03:49And I have to add that he's also my mom's favorite son, as she likes to call him, who came just for you, Mayor, by the way.
03:56She's right there.
03:56We are going to take a little pause in the program right now, and we are now going to move to the moment to raise the flag.
04:05So, Mayor, if you could join us and the council general.
