Second Avenue at 116th Street is now called México-Tenochtitlan in recognition of the great influence of the Mexican community in this part of Harlem.
“It fills us with pride that there is recognition of this size and that we have a street that is going to be called Mexico-Tenochtitlan,” said Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico.
▶ ️ At the inauguration of Mexico-Tenochtitlan Avenue, in Manhattan, Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) highlighted that New York is increasingly a Mexican city, with a strong and growing community, and thanked the support provided by the countrymen during the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/tOt3UWckwB
– Foreign Relations (@SRE_mx) November 23, 2021
Among mariachis, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard unveiled the plaque with Mayor Bill de Blasio. Both shared experiences since Ebrard was mayor of Mexico City.
“As more and more it becomes a Mexican city and that is a blessing, the incredible talent and culture that Mexicans bring to this city,” said de Blasio.
And it is that day by day the number of businesses that decorate with paintings and decorations alluding to Mexican culture, such as a mural of Pancho Villa, grow more.
Proof of this is the business of Mate Herrera, who set up his quesadilla stand on 116th Street 25 years ago, when the Mexican presence was not yet large.
“The people who lived here were Puerto Ricans and the truth has disappeared and now we are invading Mexicans here,” explained Herrera, from Quesadillas Doña Maty.
Herrera says that the Mexican community has become more present in this area and that the fact that Second Avenue is called Mexico-Tenochtitlan gives pride to the Mexican and Aztec roots that Mexicans live.
“That is very nice because it reminds us that because our race is indigenous and we are very proud that we are here in New York … in itself people when they come to this area say that they came to Puebla York,” Herrera added.
The plaque with the name of the avenue is next to that of Luis Muñoz Street, in honor of the first elected governor of Puerto Rico, a Latino heritage of this sector of Harlem.
The consul of Mexico in New York, Jorge Islas, who was also part of the ceremony, posted a message on social media with images of the event.
It was very emotional to unveil the name of 1st street with a Mexican reference in NYC, which was thanks to the support and sympathy of Mayor Di Blasio and his legislative affairs team.
Thank you very much for recognizing the contributions of our migrant community. https://t.co/yIbiUpHjuQ– Jorge Islas (@Jorge_IslasLo) November 22, 2021
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