The sound of the drums was the constant throughout the journey of the different bands, floats and dancers.
Like these girls from Trinidad and Tobago, who gave free rein to their movements, filling the Eastern Parkway with color and lots of flavor.
And that is the essence of the parade, coming together as one culture and showing the joy of its people to the community.
Zenavia Booker came dressed for the occasion.
“For the ornament on my head I used wires to hold this figure that represents a gazelle, made of paper mache, and pheasant feathers, on my legs I have rooster feathers and on my ankles, I want to look like a tribe” says Booker.
In the Caribbean West Indies parade, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, the Panamanian Caribbean and the Dominican Republic participate,
Because in previous years this celebration has been marred by violence such as shootings, stabbings, stray bullets and murder, the NYC police are watching every corner of the route.
Carlos Nieves, sag. NYPD
“Today at the parade we have not had any incidents, everyone is enjoying themselves, we have enough officers to keep the day safe,” says Sergeant Carlos Nieves.
Ricardo Leiva, attended the parade: “Now I see that it is more protected, there are airborne, there are drones, there are police officers, a lot of security, I think we feel safe being here.”
This celebration attracts more than 2 million people who enjoy the flavors of the food, and the Caribbean music, the floats with their musical bands play the sounds of reggae, soca, calypso and other rhythms that invite everyone to dance and enjoy together.”
“In these times we should all unite and get closer, just have fun, I think we all need to have joy and forget a bit about all the bad things that happen in our city and the world,” he adds.
Politicians also paraded along the route, Mayor Erik Adams walking the entire way, as did Guillermo Linares alongside Reverend Al Sharpton.
Guillermo Linares, former New York State Assemblyman shows his pride:
“It is an honor for me as a Dominican, as a Caribbean, raising high the flag of all immigrants, here in this great city and in the state of New York.”
2023-09-04 21:25:00
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