Mamdani Reverses Course on Puerto Rican Day Parade Reception
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office first told Latino community leaders that the annual pre-puerto rican day parade reception would not be held at Gracie Mansion, then said a Puerto Rican Heritage reception would take place during the June 12-14 parade weekend. The shift touched off pushback over a tradition that long centered the mayor’s residence.
Lopez Email Reached Leaders
Alvaro Lopez, the Brooklyn borough director of the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, wrote to community leaders, “As mentioned in our call, we will not be hosting a reception at Gracie Mansion.” He said Mamdani and his administration were prioritizing attendance at the 5th Avenue Parade and the Knickerbocker Parade on June 14 instead of hosting an invitation-only reception.
A Puerto Rican advocate said that since Mayor Ed Koch, every mayor has celebrated the community with a reception at Gracie Mansion during the week leading up to the National Puerto Rican Day parade, which the advocate called the largest parade in New York City. The advocate said, “If this mayor chooses to end that tradition, it’s a real slap in the face to our community — not just to those of us here in New York City but to the many government, community and business leaders who travel here from Puerto Rico each year and look forward to the Gracie reception.”
City Hall Changed Course
A City Hall insider said a junior staffer spoke out of turn and that Mamdani always intended to host the Puerto Rican Heritage reception at the mayoral residence. A Mamdani spokesperson later said, “We are excited to welcome community members and leaders to Gracie Mansion for a reception celebrating Puerto Rican Day and the generations of Puerto Ricans whose organizing, culture, and contributions continue to strengthen New York City.”
The spokesperson added, “The gathering will recognize the vital role Puerto Ricans and Nuyoricans play in the civic, cultural, and economic life of our city.” The office also said, “More details to come soon.”
June 11 Listing Was Changed
The PR Heritage Celebration website had originally listed a PR Heritage event at Gracie Mansion for Thursday, June 11. City Hall later said the reception would take place sometime during the June 12-14 parade weekend and pre-parade festivities.
The competing accounts leave one practical point for attendees and community leaders: the Gracie Mansion reception is back on the calendar, but City Hall has only said it will happen during the parade weekend, not on the original June 11 slot.
