Beach

The beach at Rockaway, just ahead of Mayor de Blasio's boardwalk press conference and beach opening ceremony. Rockaway 5/22/15

Rockaway Electeds

Council Member Donovan Richards, Assemb;y Member Phil Goldfeder and Council Member Eric Ulrich speak with Mayor de Blasio before a boardwalk press conference. Rockaway 5/22/15

Mayor

Mayor de Blasio delivers remarks. Rockaway 5/22/15

A Laugh

A light moment during Mayor de Blasio's press conference, as he's joined by Sen. Joe Addabbo, CM Donovan Richards, BP Melinda Katz, Assm. Phil Goldfeder, Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, CM Eric Ulrich and EDC President Kyle Kimball. Rockaway 5/22/15

Scene

The scene as Mayor de Blasio and other elected officials (at left) speak during a boardwalk press conference. Rockaway 5/22/15

Meh

Council Member Donovan Richards and Assembly Member kibitzing as Mayor de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Silver look out at the beach. Rockaway 5/22/15

Free Speech Zone

The few audience members who arrived with signs were directed to a "free speech zone" far from the Mayor. Two sign holders in the zone are visible in the deep center of this photo, just in front of the white trucks. This view is from the rear of the press camera riser, looking away from the Mayor and audience. Rockaway 5/22/15

Free Speech?

An audience member arriving with a sign is refused admittance to the Rockaway beach opening ceremony and is instead directed to the "free speech zone" located out of view from Mayor de Blasio and the audience. Rockaway 5/22/15

No Admittance

An audience member is directed to the "free speech zone." Rockaway 5/22/15

In The Zone

Sign holders were excluded from the press conference area and relegated to the distant "free speech zone." Rockaway 5/22/15

Mayor's Eye View

The view from the microphone, ahead of Mayor de Blasio's Rockaway press conference. The "free speech zone" was behind and below the people standing at the right side of this photo. 5/22/15

Moral Support?

A sign holder outside of the press conference, who was refused entry because he had a sign, receives support from an audience member. Rockaway 5/22/15

Mayor & Ulrich

Mayor de Blasio offered kind words about sometime-critic Republican Council Member Eric Ulrich during a Rockaway beach opening ceremony. Ulrich replied with kind words for the Mayor. Rockaway 5/22/15

Audience

Audience members. Rockaway 5/22/15

Boardwalk

A view of the newly constructed boardwalk, just ahead of Mayor de Blasio's press conference. Rockaway 5/22/15

On Duty

Lifeguards watch as the Mayor presides over the annual ceremony marking the opening of City beaches. Rockaway 5/22/15

Police-Press Relations

The Wave Managing Editor Mark Healey and a member of the NYPD. Rockaway 5/22/15

A Tale of Two Wardrobes

Rockaway native and Assembly Member Phil Goldfeder wore a suit and tie to the beach. Inspired by the Mayor's more casual garb, he dramatically removed his suit jacket during the beach opening ceremony just ahead of Memorial Day. Rockaway 5/22/15

Audience

Some of the audience members. Rockaway 5/22/15

Richards

Council Member Donovan Richards speaks during the Mayor's boardwalk press conference. Rockaway 5/22/15

Audience

Audience members. Rockaway 5/22/15

Q&A

Mayor de Blasio responds to a question from DNAInfo's Katie Honan. Rockaway 5/22/15

Storm Clouds

Literally, as the Mayor would say. On this visit de Blasio received a solid reception as he celebrated the season beach opening on a newly rebuilt portion of the boardwalk and announced that surplus boardwalk funding would be applied to other Rockaway projects. Rockaway 5/22/15

Post-Press Conference

Several Rockaway residents spoke briefly with the Mayor as he walked to his car following the press conference. Some wanted photos, others had issues to advocate for. Rockaway 5/22/15