Mayor Zohran Mamdani is navigating a political storm after his office decided to cancel the customary pre-Puerto Rican Day Parade reception at Gracie Mansion, as reported by The Post.
An assistant from what opponents have labeled Mamdani’s revamped “propaganda office” sent an email explaining that the mayor chose to forego the traditional gathering to “prioritize” his presence at the parade. This decision sparked discontent within the Latino community, according to insiders.
“As discussed during our call, there will be no reception at Gracie Mansion,” Alvaro Lopez, who serves as the Brooklyn borough director for the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, informed Latino community leaders in a message obtained by The Post.
The communication further explained, “To honor National Puerto Rican Day alongside as many working-class New Yorkers as possible, Mayor Mamdani and our administration are focusing on his participation at both the 5th Avenue Parade and the Knickerbocker Parade on June 14th, rather than hosting a limited-invite reception.”
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This move left advocates feeling deeply slighted.
“Since Mayor Koch, every mayor has celebrated the contributions of our community with a reception at Gracie Mansion held during the week leading up to the National Puerto Rican Day parade, which is the largest parade in New York City,” a Puerto Rican advocate fumed.
“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.”
Following the uproar, a mayoral rep told told The Post the Puerto Rican Heritage reception will take place on Saturday June 13 or before the parade, set for Sunday June 14.
Lopez made headlines last year after The Post revealed he celebrated ripping down posters calling for the release of Israeli hostages.
His appointment to the Mass Engagement Office sparked backlash from the Jewish community.
The latest snafu comes amid other acrimony pitting Mamdani against the Latino political establishment in New York.
Mamdani endorsed fellow Democratic Socialists of American member Darializa Avila Chevalier Chevalier over veteran incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in Manhattan/Bronx House District 13.
He has also alienated retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez over who should replace her in the upcoming Democratic primary in District 7, which covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
Velazquez backs her protege, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, while Mamdani has endorsed fellow DSA member and Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez.
