New Yorkers, Zohran Mamdani knows how long you have waited for this moment.The New York mayor spoke to 53 years of pain, angst, frustration, patience, and, at last, vindication during his speech in front of City Hall after the Knicks’ championship parade Thursday. He spoke to a city that waited generations — in each of its five boroughs and all of its surrounding areas — for this celebration.“For 53 long years we have watched, and we have waited,” Mamdani said. “We have watched from nosebleeds and through gritted teeth, on televisions in the windows of electronic stores, and from projectors balanced on fire escapes.“We have watched alone in our apartments with our heads in our hands, shoulder to shoulder at bars where the signal flickers, alongside friends and family who we wish, more than anything, could be here today, sharing this moment.”Mamdani, 34, delivered his address after the Knicks paraded down the hallowed Canyon of Heroes. Before bestowing the keys to the city upon its newest champions, he paused to honor everyone who came before them.He retraced the arc of Knicks history. The memories of the 1970 and 1973 championships won by Walt Frazier and Willis Reed. John Starks soaring over Michael Jordan. Patrick Ewing hammering home dunks against the Indiana Pacers. Spike Lee leaning over the sideline to challenge Reggie Miller face to face.The mayor noted that every summit was followed by another climb, each concluding with the same cruel ending: a dream unrealized.From Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire to the lean years of Langston Galloway, Lance Thomas, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Toney Douglas, Mamdani acknowledged them all. Through every 20-win season and rebuilding year, the fans remained.Even when, as Mamdani recalled, the Knicks trailed by 29 in the second half of Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs — who had a 99.6% chance of winning in that moment — the fans stayed. Because going against the odds is who New Yorkers are.“It’s in that 0.4% that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done,” Mamdani told the crowd. “When we are told something is impossible, we find a way, we win.”Mamdani understood how long they had waited.“We waited without ever knowing if this day would come,” Mamdani said. “We waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts that it would. New York City, this team has done it.“The New York Knicks are NBA champions.”Mamdani walkout at City HallWilliam PogatsiasHere are other notable notes, quotes, and events from the championship parade:MomentsParade packs outA little more than two hours before the parade began, the free viewing pens were already filled to capacity. The NYPD posted on X that “All viewing pens are full. No one else will be allowed in the viewing area. As a reminder, if you leave the viewing pens, you will not be allowed reentry.”