Unity and togetherness. That was the message from borough hall this weekend.
Borough President Melinda Katz held a unity rally at borough hall on Sunday.
Many local elected officials and organizations gathered to affirm Queens’ values of diversity and inclusion.
The rally was planned in response to the recent upsurge in hate crimes across the country.
Organizers say they hope Queens can set an example for the entire nation.
"All of us standing together truly signifies the so many different languages, so many religions, ethnic backgrounds, new Americans that came yesterday and third generations all standing together to show that Queens has their back and Queens is standing solidified," said Katz.
At the start of the rally of moment of silence was held for former borough president, Helen Marshall, who died on Saturday.