Council Member Aldebol Advocates for Little Yemen Cultural District

Thank you, Acting Majority Leader.

Buenos dias.

Today we'll be voting on Resolution 0458A, supporting the designation of Little Yemen, a neighborhood in Van Ness, Morris Park, as an official New York State cultural district.

By passing this resolution, we can affirm our support for the Yemeni community and our united stance against Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism.

Little Yemen is a vibrant community with a proud history that I have the honor of

representing on city council.

Its cultural institutions, community organizations, small businesses, and residents are an important part of the East Bronx's identity.

The cultural district designation would not only recognize and celebrate the Yemeni community's rich cultural heritage and contributions to the East Bronx, it will provide new funding pathways for investment into the community.

For generations, our neighborhoods in the East Bronx have been shaped by new people moving here from across the city, the country, and around the world.

Each new wave has brought their own culture and traditions to the area while also integrating with the existing communities and becoming true Bronxites in their own right.

This beautiful history has created a unique mix of food, languages, religions, arts, and culture that make our corner of the East Bronx and the Bronx more widely so special.

And little Yemen is a perfect example of this.

I'd like to thank my colleague, Senator Fernandez, and Assemblymember Zacarro for championing this legislation in Albany.

Thank you, Speaker Menon and Deputy Speaker.

Thank you, Councilmember.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you.

All right, all right.

I see how it is.

Councilmember Farias.