Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks and Raises African Union Flag

May 26, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams: I want to thank the commissioner and I want to thank Her Excellency Ambassador Mohammed for those powerful words and the clear thoughts of collaboration and the unification of not only the African Union, but the unifications of Africans throughout the entire diaspora. 60 years ago, the decision was made to come together to fight against Apartheid and African nations united to deal with the atrocities and the nefarious acts that were perpetrated on the South African people.

Now that we evolve 60 years later, it is imperative that we continue our pursuit to bring Africa to its rightful place of innovation, of collaboration, and of self-determination, which is at the heart And we can do that. When I look over and see the consul generals from the various African nations and our allies who are council generals and representatives from other countries, together, we can fortify our relationships using not only the United Nations, but using a country that clearly has a mayor of African ancestry.
We believe that this is an important moment for us all and we want to seize this moment and this opportunity.

The raising of the flag, the second year that we have carried out this action here at Bowling Green, where so many other nations also were allowed to raise their flags for the first time, from my time becoming mayor. This is a city of diversity and a nation of diversity. That is our strength. And it is a country where you are allowed to hold on to the love of your homeland while you embrace your adopted land. That is the combination that makes us great. Bring your culture, bring your thoughts, bring your activism to make sure this country is what we know it could be. A home, as we say with the lady that sits in the harbor, land of the free, home of the brave, and home for all who want to participate in the American dream.

I look forward to the next few years that we continue to strengthen our relationship with the African people on the continent and here in America. I look forward to returning to Africa. I've been in Africa six times, and I look forward in the next year to move through… I believe I'm the only mayor in the history of this city to probably visit the continent of Africa, and I look forward to taking a tour of several African countries next year to continue to build and strengthen the relationship. In the words of Marcus Garvey, "Up, you mighty people. You can be what you will." Thank you very much.