Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos, Video Of NYC's Muhammad Ali Tribute In Harlem
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 5, 2016
Modified Jun 5, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 18
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 5, 2016
Modified Jun 5, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last night, Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray announced that a special tribute in lights would be projected to honor late boxing and sports legend Muhammad Ali. On a Harlem corner, images and sayings associated with Ali were shown, like an illustrations of a butterfly, a bee and Ali standing over a defeated Sonny Liston.
The projection started around 8:20 p.m. and ended at midnight.
Mayor de Blasio said yesterday, "Muhammad Ali was a champion, activist and the self-proclaimed Greatest. Throughout his life he lived up to that title again and again. Tonight, NYC comes together in the heart of Harlem to pay tribute to the man who never backed down from a fight in or outside the ring."
And McCray explained, "Growing up I saw few Black people talking back to 'the man.' Muhammad Ali fearlessly fought injustice, and it cost him. He was a champion in and out of the ring. As Robert Kindred said, 'Rainbows are born of thunderstorms, and Muhammad Ali is both.' May the champion's light continue to guide us toward justice."
The press released noted that the projection was at "West 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem - the home of Ali’s cornerman Drew “Bundini” Brown, known for his famous limerick, 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.'"
An Ali family spokesman said that the 74-year-old died of septic shock; he had been admitted to an Arizona hospital for respiratory issues days earlier. NBC News reports, "The details came as Ali's family revealed plans for a Friday funeral in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, a daylong affair that will include a procession through the streets where the 74-year-old world champion grew up and learned to box. His body is expected to be returned to the city within two days. The service will include eulogies from former President Bill Clinton, journalist Bryant Gumbel and comedian Billy Crystal. He'll be buried in a local cemetery with only family watching."
The Reverend Al Sharpton honored Ali yesterday by pointing out that Ali was more than his boxing skills, "He used those skills to promote peace, love and racial interaction."
Tagged
drew bundini brown
harlem
muhammad ali
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 10:25 a.m. ET
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
New data shows suicide taking an outsize toll among Latino New Yorkers, even as overall deaths fell.
By
Jill Webb
News
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
New data shows suicide taking an outsize toll among Latino New Yorkers, even as overall deaths fell.
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
By
Arya Sundaram
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .