Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts Reception to Celebrate Vaisakhi

April 29, 2025

Mayor Eric Adams:Thank you so much. And this community means a lot to me. When you read your history, you have always been protectors. You've always been there and lived out your faith in a real way.

I'll never forget during COVID, many people were not aware how you fed hundreds of thousands of people in your temple. It didn't matter what language they may have spoken. It didn't matter where they came from. You opened your doors and you played a vital service for our city. And I personally thank you for that.

And I also want to thank you for giving us your men and women who have joined the New York City Police Department. I was with them to take a photo as I watched their numbers grow. And as a police officer, that I stood and fought with members of this community for the right to wear the turban, not only in the transit authority, but also in the Police Department.

Because what we must do, we must stop creating the environment that this city has one culture. It does not. It has many cultures. And we must embrace and appreciate each one of them because that is what makes us the greatest city on the globe. It's not where we're located. It is not out to our buildings. It's all of the people that's here, particularly our waiters. Thank you so much waiters.

And so it's a privilege to be here today with our Sikh brothers and sisters at the first Vaisakhi celebration at Gracie Mansion. 110 mayors and the number of times that we stated the first over and over again, we reached out and brought in people here to Gracie Mansion. You grace us with your presence. You allow us to lift up our city when we lift up your culture and what you stand for.

And I want to acknowledge all of our international dignitaries for joining us here tonight, understanding how this unprecedented first event is a significant step in the direction of never again, looking through the community, but looking at the community and tell them your power is stronger and better than others.

This is the biggest day in the Sikh faith, marking the birth of Khalsa. Did I say it right? Correct me if I mispronounce. But this celebration is in time in line with millions around the world from the Punjab to London to New York City. We [inaudible] that all the signs of your presence in this city, as you read the Holy Scripture, and as you continue to lift up your faith and belief.

As we gather here today, it's also time for us to celebrate the Sikh community in our city, the greatest city on the globe, your values, your values are the values of New York. You believe in family, you believe in faith, you believe in small businesses, you believe in law enforcement and safety. You believe in the things that we believe in as New Yorkers.

And it's only enough to continue the great deeds that you do from teaching in our public schools to healing patients in our hospitals to running your small businesses in all five boroughs. This community contributes so much to every facet of our city and every facet of our lives. And it is a community our administration has been fighting for since day one.

As we work to make New York City a safer, more affordable city, you have been a partner. And so as you wear your kara and turban with confidence to know– That's right. With confidence, it is important for us to celebrate this important day with a great deal of pride.

So once again, enjoy and happy Vaisakhi day in this community and celebration of a new dawn, a new Spring, a new harvest, a new moment. Let's produce fruits for everyone to be able to feed in this great city and in this great country. Thank you so much.

###