Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Flag-Raising Ceremony for Ecuador

August 7, 2025

City Councilmember Francisco Moya: It is a great honor to introduce the man who understands the power of unity, of culture, and of celebration, our great mayor, the mayor of the City of New York, honorary Ecuadorian, Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank 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, and he has been a clear and loud voice for this community during all times of turbulence. I 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. 

And I know you not only here in the great City of New York and Queens, but also when I visited Ecuador and saw the hard-working energy and spirit of the Ecuadorian people and community and what you represent. And we knew when we first came into office that we would use this platform here at Bowling Green as a place that we raise the flags, and many of the flags we raise here were never raised prior to me becoming the mayor. It took 110 mayors before we understood that this city is made up of various different groups and cultures and understanding, and we see what you do every day. 

We want to say thank you. We 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. 

I want to thank the consul 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. And I want to thank, he's not an Ecuadorian, he's an honorary Ecuadorian, the commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Commissioner Castro, a dreamer.

A dreamer, came into the country with his mother, a dreamer, ever 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, because that is what it's going to take for us to ensure that we fight and protect hard-working immigrants from all over the country. 

That's what this city means, that's what the city represents, and so when we raise your flag today, we're raising your spirits, we're raising your commitment, we're raising your dedication, and 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. 

I remember when I first came into the Police Department, you did not see this, and now you see a clear reflection of how your community is now on the front line to protect everyday working-class people of this city. I'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. Happy Independence Day.

###