Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks At Women Of Color Say Her Name Panel

February 18, 2017

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you so much everyone. I want to congratulate you. This is a powerful gathering – a powerful, purposeful group of leaders from all over the state. I want to commend you. There’s more and more talent amassing all over the state and making it all the way to the legislature – more women of color who are making their impact felt and that is to the good of New York City and that is to the good of New York State.

[Applause]

I, with no fear upon [inaudible].

[Laughter]

No, [inaudible], it is not you –

[Laughter]

Even though you are wonderful, let’s thank our Public Advocate for all she does.

[Applause]

But I’ll say very quickly – you heard from Chirlane and I, everywhere I go, I say she has transformed the way people think about mental health. She is killing that stigma and working with all of you to kill that stigma so people can get the help they deserve and that is a [inaudible] –

[Applause]

I want to thank your co-chairs, Latoya Joyner [inaudible] for their excellent work [inaudible] –

[Applause]

[Inaudible] there is – I’m sure you’ve heard it, in these last weeks there’s some people – I understand that they’re feeling hurt and I understand they’re feeling shocked and I understand they’re feeling depressed about some of the things happening in the country and about the way the election went.

I [inaudible] some fair statements say – many people gathered in this hall would say, if you’ve faced adversity before, but you realize do not have the option of falling in [inaudible] or giving up.

It’s only a question of how you face a new adversity. And what I am seeing all over this country is [inaudible] it’s making me downright inspired and energized because I see people rising up. I particularly see it among younger Americans and young New Yorkers. I see it among people of color and particularly women of color organizing like never before.

And this is going to change the country. So, we are in a [inaudible] but the next two to four years are a very [inaudible] blip in history compared to what it’s going to be in the future [inaudible]. They are taking matters into their own hands in the best sense. People who share our values are now deciding it’s their business to get involved [inaudible].

We actually – even though it feels like [inaudible] set back, I believe it is a setup for something much greater.

[Applause]

So, I want to thank you all for gathering together in solidarity. It’s part of giving people strength to do more, bringing the next generation up like we’re seeing here right before our eyes [inaudible] and showing people that yes, we want [inaudible] front and center – gives them a sense of ownership, gives them [inaudible]

So we all have to make that our business [inaudible] And while I’m standing here I want to give a public thank you to Tamika Mallory. What you and your colleagues did in Washington D.C. on January 21st blew my mind [inaudible] –

[Applause]

And yeah, we can give her a standing ovation for that one because [inaudible] absolutely amazing–

[Applause]

But these young women, they [inaudible] who thought they would have a pleasant little march the day after the inauguration. [Inaudible] repeat it over and over again so people can actually [inaudible]. The Washington march was supposed to be a good march. It ended up being half-a-million people. One of the biggest marches ever [inaudible] –

[Applause]

The New York City march was supposed to be like [inaudible] there were 400,000 people in New York City.

[Applause]

When you [inaudible] these women decided to spark something with not a lot of time and using digital media [inaudible] they sparked a movement that [inaudible] hundreds of locations around the country in every state, and over three million people participated [inaudible]. Three million people – that is the largest demonstration against [inaudible]. The largest response to a new presidency in the 240-year history of the United States of America.

[Applause]

So how can you feel down if we’re able to do that together?

Go forward with that strength and that inspiration, God bless you all.

[Applause]