The mayoral election is finished, but the Brooklyn Democratic Party is just getting started backing its candidates and as the city headed into Election Day, its annual gala last week boasted a central theme of party unity.
“The Brooklyn Democratic Party is coming together as a unified coalition to support our Democratic nominees on the ballot,” said Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn at this year’s celebration, held at the Liberty Warehouse in Red Hook on Oct. 30.
Speakers for the night included Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, comptroller candidate Mark Levine — both now elected — Congressmember Yvette Clarke, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, who ran unopposed for his position.
“We are here as Democrats because we understand the importance of voting, of getting representation in our communities that reflect who we are as a people,” said Clarke speaking about getting the vote out on Election Day on Nov. 4.
“Across this nation, there are a lot of families that won’t be able to socialize. They won’t even be able to have a decent meal on their table because there are some people in Washington, D.C. who don’t believe that the least amongst us should have healthcare, should have food to eat, should have shelter,” said Clarke. “And so we need to send a big number to those who have forgotten their own humanity. Who don’t remember that they, too, were it not for someone who sacrificed for them, would not be where they are today. Let us show them by showing up to vote in record numbers.”
James took the opportunity to thank the crowd for their support following her indictment, and excitedly spoke about her endorsement of Mamdani for mayor. “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve you as the Attorney General of the State of New York and to let individuals know that I believe in the law, I believe in justice, and I believe that justice will rain down like the waters, and righteousness, like a mighty flow,” said James.
“As we stand here in Brooklyn, I’m reminded of the history of this borough, of standing up to repression, of refusing, in the words of Dylan Thomas, to go gentle into that good night,” said Mamdani. “The Underground Railroad ran through Brooklyn. It was a hotbed of the abolitionist movement, so often led by those who had fled slavery. And it has long welcomed those who have been denied, those who have been made into the downtrodden. It was here in Brooklyn that free Black Americans founded the village of Weeksville. It was here in Brooklyn that millions of Jewish and Irish and Italian and Chinese immigrants found a home. And it is here today that the world sees itself reflected in communities that exist differently, but live together.”
In addition to talking about Brooklyn’s history, Mamdani talked about unifying the Democratic party and backing James in her legal fight against alleged mortgage fraud.
The event honored union, business owners, and community leaders from all over the borough, including the Teamsters Local 831 Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, LiUNA!-NY/NYS Laborers, Civil Service Employees Association, the Brooklyn Cyclones, Gyro King, Rockwell Health Center, Red Hook Business Alliance, Flume, Earn Your Leisure; and Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. Attorneys Martin Connor, Kwok Kei Ng, and Benjamin Pinczewski also received awards.
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