Puerto Rican Heritage reception held at Gracie Mansion after controversy over alleged cancellation
A long-standing Puerto Rican Heritage reception was held at Gracie Mansion after organizers said the event had originally been canceled, sparking backlash and confusion.
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A long-standing Puerto Rican Heritage reception was held at Gracie Mansion after organizers said the event had originally been canceled, sparking backlash and confusion.
The annual reception has been held at Gracie Mansion since the 1990s. Organizers told News 12 they were forced to make a last-minute venue change for a separate celebration Thursday night after learning the Gracie Mansion event would not take place.
That gathering was moved to Pacha New York, the former home of the Brooklyn Mirage. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Puerto Rican culture with food, music and community.
Event leaders who spoke with News 12 said they felt disrespected by the decision.
The mayor's office declined to comment on the Pacha event, but then said the Gracie Mansion event is happening.
An invite-only reception ultimately took place on Friday at Gracie Mansion, with some critics describing it as a political response to the backlash surrounding the cancellation.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke at the event, praising the contributions of Puerto Rican New Yorkers.
"Since the first wave of migration in the 19th century, Puerto Rican New Yorkers have enriched our city from the reggaeton that offers the soundtrack of our summers to the smell of frying Latinos on our streets," Mamdani said.
