New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams attends a Mass on April 14, 2025 at San Antonio de Padua Church as he stands in solidarity with the Dominican neighborhood following the devastating roof collapse at a well-liked nightclub on April 7, 2025 that claimed the lives of no less than 226 people and left over 150 extra injured.
Michael Appleton/Mayoral Images Workplace
The Dominican neighborhood in New York Metropolis is the most important anyplace on this planet outdoors of the Dominican Republic — we’re their dwelling away from dwelling.
Dominican New Yorkers contribute to each side of life throughout the 5 boroughs, whether or not it’s operating our small companies within the Bronx or enjoying in our sports activities stadiums in Manhattan and Queens. Dominicans are usually not simply our neighbors and our mates. They’re our household.
So, when our household suffers a tragedy, it’s our duty to be there for our brothers and sisters of their sorrow and of their grief. Two weeks in the past, when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed, no less than 231 members of our Dominican household misplaced their lives, and greater than 150 extra have been injured within the accident. Final week, in an indication of solidarity, I mourned with their households in Santo Domingo not merely because the mayor of New York Metropolis, however as a brother who felt their ache.
The evening of the roof collapse was a painful second for a lot of in our metropolis, and I knew I couldn’t simply present my help from a distance. I used to be honored to fulfill with the primary responders who risked their lives and rushed to the rescue. I visited the positioning of the Jet Set nightclub and left a wreath as a logo of my love for the individuals of the Dominican Republic. And I spoke with the households and neighborhood members who have been impacted, together with the family members of a retired NYPD detective who died, as a result of their loss is our loss too.
I additionally met with leaders of the Dominican Republic — its president, Luis Abinader, and the minister of public works and communications, Eduardo Estrella — as a result of I needed to supply our help and see how New York Metropolis can help with the nation’s restoration efforts. The NYPD already has an intelligence outpost within the Dominican Republic that’s serving to in any means they’ll. And I supplied my very own private help to do the whole lot attainable to forestall one thing like this from taking place once more. We owe that to these we misplaced.
As a person of religion in a rustic of religion, my closing cease was to attend mass with the archbishop, Monsignor Francisco Ozoria, at San Antonio de Padua Church. Dealing with darkness within the aftermath of this tragedy, I prayed that the unity of our spirit will be the sunshine that can flip our ache into function. As a result of collectively, we’ll overcome it.
The hyperlinks between our two communities are by no means stronger than within the wake of disaster. It was true prior to now, from the destruction left by Hurricane Fiona to the fatalities of Flight 587, and it’s true now. What I noticed throughout my journey — the exceptional vitality of the Dominican individuals regardless of loss, their love for all times and unwavering spirit surfacing above unhappiness — can be discovered right here in New York Metropolis, a spot the place nearly 1 million Dominicans name dwelling.
Right now, each New Yorker carries a part of the Dominican Republic of their coronary heart. Each of our individuals perceive tragedy, however we’re additionally robust and we by no means hand over. Psalm 147 says: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God bless these we’ve got misplaced and God bless the survivors. Our hearts are damaged however our hearts are additionally with you.
