Sunday, one day before the controversial J'Ouvert festival, Mayor Bill de Blasio took his campaign to the heart of where it happens in Brooklyn. NY1's Courtney Gross filed this report from the campaign trail.
For part of Brooklyn, Labor Day Weekend is known for celebration and, lately, tragedy.
Sunday, Mayor de Blasio crisscrossed East Flatbush and Crown Heights, pushing his bid for re-election.
He delivered his stump speech at two churches. "There is a primary election on Tuesday, September 12, a general election on Tuesday, November 7," de Blasio said to a crowd at one of the churches. "I need you."
The mayor then took to the streets, receiving a warm reception from the crowds there.
He did not once mention what's looming for the community: J'Ouvert, the pre-dawn party that is scheduled for Monday morning. In years past, the event has been marked by fatal shootings.
This year, the city is stepping up security and pushing the start time to daylight hours.
Still, it was not a topic of conversation for the mayor as he campaigned. He would not take questions about it, either.
His main Democratic primary opponent, former City Councilman Sal Albanese, was also campaigning in Brooklyn on Sunday.
He said, as mayor, he would consider banning J'Ouvert if the violence continues this year.
"We'll see what happens. I mean, I think having the event begin a little bit later, in the daylight hours, should be helpful," Albanese said. "But if it doesn't, we will have to go back to the drawing board and maybe consider a ban."
In the past, the mayor said the city is stepping up its preparations for the event. Perhaps he is, too.
De Blasio and Albanese plan to march in the West Indian Day Parade, so they are expected to be back in Brooklyn on Monday.