 of the King of England that stood in the middle of the fountain. And they destroyed that statue declaring their independence from oppression. But what makes this so important is that eight years later, General George Washington, returned right here to Bowling Green, into New York City for the first time since 1776, rode down lower Broadway for one singular purpose. The Americans had won, but he came here to officially declare victory and the end of the American Revolution because there was only one British flag left anywhere in the 13 states still flying. It was right here at Bowling Green. And on November 25th, 1783, George Washington and the Continental Army came in to New York City and down here to Bowling Green to witness the lowering of the last British flag ever to fly here in the United States and the raising of the American flag right here where we are. The British did not make it easy. They had nailed their flag to the top of the flag pole that stood then and one of the soldiers had to climb up the flag pole and take it down so that the American flag could fly. To this day, we continue to fly a 13-star American flag and I wear a 13-star American flag in honor of this being the most important and significant flag raising in American history and why we are so proud to have you here to raise your flag along with all the other nations who have done so. Mayor Adams is not here yet, but last time he was here a few weeks ago, we declared him the first hero of Bowling Green because as opposed to every other mayor since 1996, when we erected the second flag pole, he is the first mayor to show interest in raising flags at Bowling Green and he has returned here many times as he will today and I believe he will continue to and it's an extraordinary appreciation for the fact that he has recognized the importance of Bowling Green as the most historic place in New York City. Along with the mayor, the mayor's office of immigrant affairs has been unbelievable. If it was not for them, along with the mayor's support, would we be doing all these flag raisings? Commissioner Manuel Castro and his staff have done an outstanding job as they're doing today. Shayna Coronel, Eileen Reyes, and Cesar Vegas, they are the dynamic trio. In turning the program over to the commissioner, I'd like to give him a token of our appreciation here at Bowling Green, a minor gesture. Last year I wrote a book about Bowling Green and published and it's about our rather famous part of Bowling Green now. The famous World Famous Arturo de Motoc is charging bull. I wrote a book about the bull and I'd like to present the copy to Commissioner Castro in appreciation. Commissioner. Well, thank you so much, Arthur, and to the Bowling Green Association for this partnership which allows us to celebrate and uplift our immigrant communities but also celebrate the fight for democracy, freedom, and the values that we share. And so I thank you, Arthur, and the Bowling Green Association for the work that we have done together and of course our team here at the mayor's office of immigrant affairs and everyone at City Hall and City Government who helps put together these events. Again, my name is Manuel Castro and I am the Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. And just to say a few words in Spanish, I'm proud to be the Commissioner of Immigrants of New York City and to be here today to celebrate our Ecuadorian community in New York. Long live Ecuador! And so with that, I would also like to acknowledge and thank Commissioner Mermolstein who is here with us today, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of International Affairs. I would also like to thank Ambassador José Sandoval who's joining us here today along with Dr. Rodríguez Benítez, Consul General Alcunto de Ecuador in New York. And of course, Comité Galloplasa for all the support and work in pulling this event together and all the community organizations that have worked together with my office to ensure the well-being of Ecuadorian communities across New York City. We'll talk more about our wonderful Ecuadorian communities and how they make this one of the richest cities in the world because of their contributions, not just to our economy but our culture and our life here in New York City. So first, I would like to invite Jimena to speak and share a few words about Galloplasa and about today's activities. Thank you, Jimena. To me, it's a pleasure sharing with not only the Ecuadorian American community but all Latin American communities because this flag that today we're going to raise is extremely special. This flag was handmade in the heart of Manhattan at the Garment District by Colombian women, by Peruvians, by Mexicans and my Puerto Rican friends. We did an order online to a factory in a different part of the world. We really want to show that when this flag is going up, it's a symbol of the integrity, of the unity of the Latin American country. So it's Mexico here, it's Colombia here, it's Puerto Rico and Peru. And Ecuador at the middle of the world always reuniting the people. So first of all, I want to thank you, the commissioner, because he's the one who's making possible this and the office of the Immigrants Affair from the mayor and all the staff, especially Shayna Coronel. Aileen, thank you so much. Aileen Reyes, we know her long time ago working with the Latin American communities. I remember you since 2000. And another hero, Latino hero, along with Manuel Castro, our friend Cesar Vargas. Thank you so much. He's in the Staten Island, right? Right in the flags of the Latin Americans. And a special thanks to the general consulate of Ecuador that now is leaded by a very prestigious ambassador. And we have here also our ambassador of the Ecuadorian ambassador at the United Nations, Honorable Espinosa. Thank you. And we have here the representatives of the Ecuadorian military army. So thank you for being here. We have a lot of organizations along with the Ecuadorian Civic Committee and his president, Mr. Osvaldo Guzmán and his wife, Marta Mancheno de Guzmán. They organized the most amazing parade for us Sunday, and we had the privilege of having the mayor in our parade. So I don't want to take too much time, but I want to let you know that this area is historic not since the arrival of the Europeans. This area is historic because the first Native Americans were here. The Lnipe, as you can see, the Seaport Museum. And we have here the most important to me in terms of identity, the museums in the city. We have here Moseo del Indio Americano, which is fabulous, and I highly invite you to go there because you will find all the Native American groups from our countries. So thank you. This is historic. It's the first time, but it's not a place new for the Ecuadorians. I also invite you to go to Wall Street and Broadway, where is the Black Honoring Gallo Plaza. He was one of the over 206 Latin Americans who was honored with a ticker taper rate at the Canyon of the Heroes, when he came as the president of Ecuador on June 25, 1951. A Native New Yorker, as you can read at the plaque, Gallo Plaza Lasso, Native New Yorker and president of Ecuador. So as a founder, as a historian and founder of the Gallo Plaza International Committee, it is my pleasure having here, and I hope this tradition will continue in the future. Thank you so much. Gracias, Jimena. And next, I'd like to invite Commissioner Mermelstein to share a few words with us. Thank you so much, Commissioner Castro. My name is Edward Mermelstein. I am the commissioner for international affairs in New York City. I'm very happy to join our mayor who is coming shortly, Mayor Adams, members of our administration. Ambassador Espinosa, Ambassador Sandoval, the Bowling Green Association, and all of you who are celebrating the 213th anniversary of Ecuadorian independence. The Latin American international community has been an essential partner of our office, and we are so excited to build on these relationships. A small fact, New York City is the third-largest Ecuadorian city in the world by population. Another small fact, Queens is the largest county in America for the Ecuadorian immigrant population. New York is proud to be home to more than 200,000 Ecuadorian nationals who contribute immensely to this city. I look forward to working with the councilate, my colleagues, and the Ecuadorian community to achieve our mayor's vision. I'd like to congratulate once again the Ecuadorian community for 213 years of independence, and thank you for your partnership. So before I invite Ambassador Sandoval to share a few words, I want to acknowledge and thank Shayna Coronel, our director of communications. Shayna, as many of you might know, is the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants. And I tell you, we couldn't get much of the work done without Shayna's leadership in our office, especially over the last couple of months, the last couple of weeks. She's worked tirelessly for the immigrant community, and I know how important it is because she is the daughter of immigrants and has seen for herself the struggles and the challenges that Ecuadorians face, but also how beautiful the community is, and despite all the challenges, they're coming together and thriving, and they're represented in here today. So on behalf of the city of New York, thank you, Shayna, for all that you do for our communities. Thank you, Shayna. Now I would like to invite Ambassador Sandoval to share a few words. Good afternoon to all of you. I understand that Mr. Alcalde is going to join us in a few more minutes. Mr. Commissioners, for immigration issues, Manuel Castro, Mr. Commissioners, Marmostín for international issues, Mr. Ambassador Cristian Espinoza, permanent representative of Ecuador, United Nations, distinguished authorities, compatriots present here as Latin American citizens. This is a very special occasion for my country, because for the first time, Ecuador's flag will be used in this historic place, where for the first time, the flag of the United States of America will be used as a free country. Today's commemoration serves to reinforce the vocation of freedom, of joint work, of co-incidence in democratic values and human rights. In front of our flag, we reaffirm the commitment of the national government to work tirelessly for the benefit of Ecuadorians both in the national territory and outside. Mr. Alcalde, to the Ecuadorian community who has a historic presence in this city, you will only mention that one of the most distinguished personalities in the city of New York was born. His name is among the most distinguished personalities in one of the avenues of this city. He has been added in the last decades dozens of thousands of Ecuadorian workers who contribute to the growth of this city. Mr. Marmostin mentioned precisely this, New York is the third largest city in the world. At the time of commemorating a historical event, we must not lose sight of the current moment. The new struggles for independence and freedom must guide us in the search for opportunities of access to education and health, of an inclusive society with women and vulnerable people. In this commitment of new forms of independence and freedom, the work of the Ecuadorian government to eliminate the child's chronic malnutrition and the migration of migrants. Thank you very much to Mr. Alcalde, to the mayor and to the commissioners and to the representative of Bowling Green for welcoming us and welcoming the Ecuadorian community in this city. I give the recognition of the Ecuadorian government for all the programs of the migrant population. I value in high degree its special dedication and friendship that Mr. Alcalde has given us to have shared with us the parade of the Ecuadorian community on the past Sunday and in this opportunity the flag is lit. Welcome, major. I just was precisely thanking in Spanish. I'll do later in English I would like to thank Mr. Alcalde and the commissioners for all the help and special programs that they provide to the migrant community especially the Ecuadorian community and the support that we had from Mr. Alcalde in the parade of the Ecuadorians on the past Sunday. I'm sure that we will share new spaces in which you will be able to know better Ecuador, the commercial and investment potential and tourist attractions. The men and women of our community are real ambassadors of my country. They work day to day to contribute to the development and progress of this great city. I want to conclude with a phrase that is very meaningful for the Ecuadorians the American dream has a tricolor heart. Thank you very much. A few words in English. Dear Major Adams dear commissioners Ambassador Cristian Espinosa permanent representative of Ecuador to the United Nations distinguished authorities and fellow Ecuadorian citizens who have joined today. This is a very special occasion for my country because for the first time the flag of Ecuador will be raised in this historic place where the flag of the United States of America as a free country today's commemoration is a call to reinforce our vocation for freedom, work together acknowledging our shared democratic values and the respect for human rights. As we stand before our flag we reaffirm the commitment of the Ecuadorian government to work tirelessly for the benefit of all its citizens both in the national territory and abroad. Mr. Major, the Ecuadorian community has a historical presence in the city suffice to say that one of our most illustrious leaders and later president of the Republic, Galo Plaza Lasso was born in New York City and his name is engraved together with those of outstanding personalities in one of the avenues of the city. He has been joined in recent decades by tens of thousands of Ecuadorian workers who contribute to the growth of the city. While we commemorate a historical event we must not lose sight of the current moment as new struggles for independence and freedom must guide us in the search for new opportunities access to education and health and a society that includes women and vulnerable people. The work of the Ecuadorian government to eradicate chronic child malnutrition eliminate risky migration and trafficking of migrants is consistent with its commitment to new forms of independence and freedom. Thank you very much, Major and commissioners for welcoming the Ecuadorian community in the city. I wish to express the gratitude of the Ecuadorian government for all the programs made available for the benefit of the migrant population. I highly value your great dedication and your friendship with us in the parade of the Ecuadorian community last Sunday and on this occasion in the racing of the Ecuadorian flag. I am sure that we will be sharing new opportunities where you will have the opportunity to get to know better Ecuador its culture, trade and investment opportunities tourist attractions and so much more. The men and women of our community are true ambassadors of my country. I work very hard every day to contribute to the development and progress of this great city. For us Ecuadorians the American dream beats with the Ecuadorian flag. Thank you very much. Thank you so much, Ambassador. Que viva Ecuador! Que viva! Que viva los inmigrantes de Nueva York! And now it is my great honor to introduce to you the mayor of the city of New York Mayor Eric Adams. Thank you so much and this is an extremely significant moment when you look at the history of the Ecuadorian people and don't allow anyone to take your historical connection away. In 1809 Ecuador became the first Hispanic American nation to declare its independence. The first and your actions caused a cascading effect throughout the entire region. Those who proclaimed their independence from Spain. And today I'm proud to celebrate your 213 years of independence. I also want to welcome the council generals the ambassadors, the dignitaries, the community leaders, artists and the group of women who sold the flag. Thank you so much. And New York City is Ecuadorian city. We have the largest Ecuadorian population outside of Ecuador lives right here in New York City. And what is wonderful about this country this is one of the few countries on the globe where you are not told to abandon your homeland as you embrace your adopted land. In fact our secret weapon is when you approach the culture your business acumen your benevolence and friendships and relationships and mix it with the American culture that is what makes us great as a country and no one does it better than the Ecuadorian community. And I say thank you for that and let's continue to do the relationship building that we are doing. For over 100 years Ecuador has been strong. The steadfast friendship was forged by great global leader and 29th president Ecuador Gallo Plaza. There is a piece of history that sits out in front of City Hall with his name on a piece of granite. Permanently part of our platform of this city and country. He said living in New York helped him learn the virtues of freedom and democracy and he took those values with him to Ecuador. He was a New Yorker through and through but he was an Ecuadorian through and through and that's the marriage that we enjoy so much. Serving as the Ecuadorian president as a diplomat for the United Nations he fought to bring those freedoms to the rest of the world so we want to say thank him and we want to thank him in the spirit of what he represented and what are we doing today in a significant of this moment that I want to be here each time we raise a flag for another country. This is Bowling Green right here at the foot of the bull we are bullish on saying that our city and country is a diverse place for all groups that's who we are and just as we welcome groups in yesteryears we are on a precipice of welcoming new groups even when other states tell them they're not welcome here in America and New York we are saying you are welcome here and we are going to provide to support you deserve. That's what makes us great and that is why it is so important that we are doing these periods of time and so I thank my commissioner of international affairs as we continue to reach out to new arrivals in new countries and I thank my once dreamer my commissioner of mayor office of immigrant affairs who brings his life story to know how important it is for us to open our borders and allow people in New York to come together because all of us have the energy and the spirit that's associated not only with the American dream but the dream to reach our full potential and to the Bowling Green Association this plot of real estate this has become our modern day United Nations you have allowed us to raise flags after flags and bring us together and show that this city is one I'm excited to be here today with the Ecuadorian people I was excited to march with you in a parade for many years I'm excited as we move our city forward together as one city unified with the beauty of our different cultures different ethnicity and different understandings of each other and so today in honor of the community's generosity and fierce commitment mayor of the city of New York hereby proclaim Wednesday, August 10th 2022 in the city of New York as Ecuadorian Heritage Day congratulations to you thank you mayor Adams this is why we are truly it's a truly a true honor to serve under your leadership and in your administration and with that I would like to start the ceremony and welcome us to sing or listen to the American national anthem Ambassador Sandoval to raise the Ecuadorian flag I would like to invite Jimena back up we have Noemi, Noemi please Noemi Morales she was born in Ecuador in the province of Invadura she is a student but she maintains this tradition which is from the time before the Colonia in the city of Otavalo which are our famous farmers she is making a bracelet with the name of the mayor so that the mayor will always remember the Ecuadorian community and the Ecuadorian community can you translate please Noemi is a young student for our mayor Eric Adams and our commissioner Castro with their names another applause for Noemi that concludes our flag racing ceremony thank you everyone for joining us today have a good evening