New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams
Picture courtesy Workplace of the Mayor of the Metropolis of New York
The Dominican neighborhood in New York Metropolis is the most important anyplace on the earth exterior of the Dominican Republic — we’re their residence away from residence. Dominican New Yorkers contribute to each aspect of life throughout the 5 boroughs, whether or not it’s working our small companies within the Bronx or enjoying in our sports activities stadiums in Manhattan and Queens. Dominicans will not be simply our neighbors and our pals. They’re our household.
So, when our household suffers a tragedy, it’s our accountability to be there for our brothers and sisters of their sorrow and of their grief. Two weeks in the past, when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed, not less than 231 members of our Dominican household misplaced their lives, and greater than 150 extra had been injured within the accident. Final week, in an indication of solidarity, I mourned with their households in Santo Domingo not merely because the mayor of New York Metropolis, however as a brother who felt their ache.
The night time of the roof collapse was a painful second for thus many inside our metropolis, and I knew I couldn’t simply present my assist from a distance. I used to be honored to fulfill with the primary responders who risked their lives and rushed to the rescue. I visited the positioning of the Jet Set nightclub and left a wreath as an emblem of my love for the folks of the Dominican Republic. And I spoke with the households and neighborhood members who had been impacted, together with the family members of a retired NYPD detective who died, as a result of their loss is our loss too.
I additionally met with leaders of the Dominican Republic — its president, Luis Abinader, and the minister of public works and communications, Eduardo Estrella — as a result of I wished to supply our assist and see how New York Metropolis can support with the nation’s restoration efforts. The NYPD already has an intelligence outpost within the Dominican Republic that’s serving to in any manner they will. And I supplied my very own private help to do every part doable to stop one thing like this from taking place once more. We owe that to these we misplaced.
As a person of religion in a rustic of religion, my closing cease was to attend mass with the archbishop, Monsignor Francisco Ozoria, at San Antonio de Padua Church. Dealing with darkness within the aftermath of this tragedy, I prayed that the unity of our spirit will be the sunshine that may flip our ache into function. As a result of collectively, we’ll overcome it.
The hyperlinks between our two communities are by no means stronger than within the wake of disaster. It was true up to now, from the destruction left by Hurricane Fiona to the fatalities of Flight 587, and it’s true now. What I noticed throughout my journey — the outstanding vitality of the Dominican folks regardless of loss, their love for all times and unwavering spirit surfacing above unhappiness — can be discovered right here in New York Metropolis, a spot the place nearly 1 million Dominicans name residence.
At present, each New Yorker carries a part of the Dominican Republic of their coronary heart. Each of our folks perceive tragedy, however we’re additionally powerful and we by no means quit. Psalm 147 says: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God bless these we now have misplaced and God bless the survivors. Our hearts are damaged however our hearts are additionally with you.
