Tens of thousands of marchers filled lower Broadway Friday, demanding action to fight climate change. The marchers were predominantly young, with students taking advantage of the City’s grant of permission to skip school for the march.
No elected officials were at the head of the march. Mayor Bill de Blasio, fresh off his morning announcement that he’s ended his presidential campaign, marched with his wife Chirlane McCray about 5 minutes behind the lead marchers. It appeared to be a welcome transition for the mayor, making a local appearance after months of criticism for his campaign related absences, but like his campaign focused on a national issue. At the end of the route de Blasio and McCray headed off to the subway, joined by a group of staffers for part of the ride. After passing City Hall it was just the mayor, his wife, one staffer and one press photographer for a relaxed mid-afternoon ride to the Upper East Side.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo continued his tradition of commemorating the September 11th attacks with a motorcycle ride to Ground Zero. Cuomo hosted several hundred riders who traveled from Albany and Nassau County at a Javits Center luncheon, then joined them for the last ride segment to the World Trade Center. That final segment retraces the route of the FDNY’s Rescue Company 1 that dark day from their West 43rd Street quarters to the World Trade Center, where 11 of their members perished.
Past years have featured celebrity guests including then-Vice President Joe Biden, Robert De Niro, Billy Joel and reality TV star Paul Teutul Jr. (Joel and Teutul Jr. joined the ride to the World Trade Center.) This year’s celebrity guest and fellow rider was Paul Teutul Sr., while Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and NYS Attorney General Tish James joined Cuomo at the lunch. Several state legislators and NYC council members attended the lunch but none were spotted on the ride. None of the three citywide electeds or Council Speaker Corey Johnson attended.
Following the ride Governor Cuomo spent about 15 minutes greeting fellow riders, receiving a warm reception as he walked through crowd shaking hands and admiring the parked motorcycles. He did not take questions or speak with reporters.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio marked the first day of school with a five stop round of school visits Thursday, with his final stop at East Harlem’s PS 146. He was joined for part of his 45 minute visit by Chancellor Richard Carranza. Student reactions ranged from complete excitement to indifference but parents and faculty/staff/administrators reactions appeared quite positive, with many wanting photos with the mayor. There were not any discernible negative reactions from the assemble parents or faculty/staff/administrators.
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