NEW YORK – The omission of Astoria from the new map of New York City’s immigrant communities has sparked a strong reaction in the Greek-American community, with AHEPA Empire District 6 Governor Konstantinos Prentzas calling on the municipal authority to correct the omission and recognize Astoria as the “heart of the Greek-American community in the United States.”
In a statement, Prentzas expressed his deep disappointment at the absence of Astoria from the map, pointing out that it is a historic neighborhood built by generations of Greek-Americans. As he emphasized, the Greeks of Astoria founded churches, schools, cultural organizations, businesses and charities, creating jobs and contributing decisively to the social, economic, and cultural life of New York City.
He noted that the omission is not a simple failure, but ignores the sacrifices, achievements and historical legacy of Greek immigrants and their descendants. He also connects the issue with the corresponding treatment of Little Italy, noting that when the history of an immigrant community is downgraded, this concerns all the immigrant groups that contributed to the formation of the city. “History cannot be rewritten or erased. We must preserve it, honor it and transmit it to future generations,” he stated.
Konstantinos Prentzas, AHEPA Empire District 6 Governor. Photo: Courtesy of Konstantinos Prentzas
AHEPA’s reaction comes after the intense protests caused by the map, which presents 30 immigrant neighborhoods in New York City, leaving out, among others, Astoria, Little Italy, as well as historic Jewish and Irish communities.
Responding to the criticism, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani himself stated that the map “is not a complete record” of the city’s more than 200 ethnic communities and noted that additions will be made in the future, which will make it more inclusive.
Regarding the issue of Little Italy, given that the Italian-American community is one of the first to have reacted officially at a collective level, Mamdani explicitly stated that it will be included in the areas that will be added.
He also attempted to attribute responsibility to the previous administration, claiming that the map was based on material inherited from the administration of former Mayor Eric Adams. However, according to a report by the New York Post, the previous administration had not created a single map, but separate illustrated presentations for the city’s immigrant communities, with references to their local landmarks and cultural identity.
According to information obtained by The National Herald, it is possible that an official statement will be released soon concerning the map from the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York Board of Directors.
