Shortly after learning of the death of former Mayor David Dinkins, the city’s first and only Black mayor, elected officials, friends and critics alike, paid their respects to the man who considered New York City a “gorgeous mosaic.”
Mayor de Blasio expressed his sympathy on Twitter. He and first lady Chirlane McCray met while serving as staffers in the Dinkins administration.
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg highlighted Dinkins’ achievements.
One of his fiercest political opponents, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, was among the first political figures to offer his condolences.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement Monday night:
"The example Mayor David Dinkins set for all of us shines brighter than the most powerful lighthouse imaginable. For decades, Mayor Dinkins lead with compassion and an unparalleled commitment to our communities. His deliberative and graceful demeanor belied his burning passion for challenging the inequalities that plague our society.
“Personally, Mayor Dinkins' example was an inspiration to me from my first run for city council to my campaigns for public advocate and attorney general. I was honored to have him hold the bible at my inaugurations because I, and others, stand on his shoulders.
“The voice that gave birth to the ‘gorgeous mosaic’ is now at rest. New York will mourn Mayor Dinkins and continue to be moved by his towering legacy.”
In an interview with NY1, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea offered his condolences to the Dinkins family.
“I wouldn’t be sitting here. He put me on this trajectory that I’m on,” Shea said of Dinkins and his legacy.
He also acknowledged Dinkins’ contributions to policing, and said there is something to be learned from his 1993 comments on community policing strategies and approach to upping staffing for safer streets.
“We’ve come so far but we have so far to go too. And we shouldn’t forget history. And we should take heed and listen to some of those discussions there when you talk about staffing and neighborhood policing,” She said.
Here are some of the other elected officials, advocates, and organizations who have offered tributes of their own:
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson
Reverend Al Sharpton
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D, Manhattan/The Bronx)
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Patrick Gaspard, Former Ambassador to South Africa, and Former Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs for the Obama Administration
NAACP