Harlem showdown: Avila Chevalier and Espaillat clash over gentrification at Sharpton rally

At a National Action Network rally in Harlem, challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier and incumbent Adriano Espaillat framed the race around who counts in their community, with Avila Chevalier decrying identity-based division and urging unity between Black and Dominican residents, while Espaillat accuses gentrifiers of driving up rents. The event, hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton, also highlighted lingering tensions over who should lead Harlem and surrounding neighborhoods as the 2026 congressional race unfolds, with Mamdani's presence and endorsements shaping the backdrop.