Thousands of people put on their best and most vibrant national colors representing their ancestral Caribbean roots for the 57th annual West Indian American Day Parade on Monday, despite a shooting disrupting festivities in the early afternoon.
Eastern Parkway was packed with New Yorkers representing countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada and Guayana. The parade began around 11:00am, with elaborate costumes and blaring DJ sets.
“I’ve been [participating in the parade] since I was 15, and now I’m over 50, so it’s been quite some time,” says Cupenda Palmer, a parade marshall with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA).
The parade is a big community builder touching on local culture, as well as a shining moment for local politics. Marching in the parade were Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer and Reverend Al Sharpton, who went out to shake hands and take pictures with parade watchers.
That said, the parade also notched another violent episode when shots rang out at around 2:30pm near 307 Eastern Parkway. One person died, while four others were injured. Authorities are looking for the shooter, described as a man in his 20s.
Despite this, the parade continued.
Jovia Radix-Seaborough, an annual participant of the parade, was chosen as a grand marshall for the event.
“I’m really honored, growing up as a Caribbean and coming to this parade as a kid I never imagined I’d be grand marshall,” she said.
Multiple floats rode down the closed roadway, representing local organizations and insitutions, including Medgar Evers College, CUNY and the Brooklyn Metropolis Lions Club. Local unions, such as Local 372 (New York City Board of Education Employees) and Transport Workers Union, came out in support as well, further representing how important the parade is to the borough and city.
Stationed along the sidewalks were food vendors, merchants, and the rare magician. Food vendors sold traditional dishes, such as curry goat, jerk chicken and okra, while merchants sold flags, shirts and hats representing the countries from the West Indies.
Festivities ended around 6:00pm at Grand Army Plaza, while unofficial jubilees continued among families and neighbors for the rest of the day.
The parade was preceded by J’Ouvert, a daybreak celebration where people cover themselves in paint and oil. This parade started at 6:00am and proceeded south on Flatbush Avenue into Crown Heights.
“Everyone comes from their respective countries and comes here and lives here in harmony. And this parade is an example of that,” said Radix-Seaborough.
