“As a city, we saw an unprecedented attack on our way of life with the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Countless lives lost as a result of this pandemic. Friends, family, neighbors, loved ones and so many others who were taken from us too soon. We unfortunately know this too well in the Bronx because our borough was the epicenter of the pandemic in our city. Our neighborhoods were disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 as a result of years of systemic health inequities and we are still fighting for health justice in the Bronx.

Today, is a reminder that we must never forget those that we lost. We owe it to them and our essential workers that continue to be on the front-lines everyday keeping us safe, to not only keep their memories alive, but continue to fight for health justice for all New Yorkers.

We will light Bronx Borough Hall amber this evening in remembrance of those we have lost to COVID-19 and as a reminder that there is continued work that needs to be done.”