Res. No. 1472 Title Resolution expressing disappointment and outrage at the organizers of Operation Sail 2000 and demanding a public apology for their failure to include the Northern Manhattan community in its program. Body By Council Members Linares, Perkins, Freed, Henry, Michels and Quinn; also Council Members DiBrienza, Foster, Nelson and Rivera Whereas, On July 4, 2000, the City of New York hosted the highly anticipated arrival of hundreds of tall ships, including celebrated historic vessels from America and countries throughout the world that hold great significance to many New Yorkers; and Whereas, New Yorkers and visitors from all over the country converged at several points along the Hudson and East Rivers to catch a glimpse of the parade of ships and join in a patriotic salute to the birth of our nation; and Whereas, Not all New Yorkers were afforded the opportunity to witness these ships make their passage along the historic Hudson River and many were prevented from being included in the celebration; and Whereas, After their viewing at the Statue of Liberty and the reviewing platform, the schedule of events allowed for the vessels to proceed up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge by 3:30 p.m. and from the bridge, the ships would reverse course; and Whereas, To the great disappointment of the many thousands of spectators awaiting the arrival of vessels that included the Libertad from Argentina, the Amerigo Vespucci from Italy and the Kalmar Nyckel from Sweden, the parade of ships reversed course well before the George Washington Bridge, thereby denying all of the spectators in Northern Manhattan the opportunity to fully participate in the event; and Whereas, The disrespectful gesture carried out by the organizers of Operation Sail 2000 has not gone unnoticed and the Northern Manhattan community is owed a reasonable explanation and a public apology for being mistreated during this citywide event that was billed as a unifying and patriotic event for all to enjoy and celebrate; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York expresses disappointment and outrage at the organizers of Operation Sail 2000 and demands a public apology for their failure to include the Northern Manhattan community in its program. MW:bg LS#3276 7/18/00 |10
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