Sen. Zellnor Myrie (L) of Jamaican roots with Haitian American Councilwoman
Farah Louis (l) and Guyanese-born Sen. Roxanne Persaud.
Photo by Nelson A. King
Caribbean Life, Sept. 6, 2019 3
By Tangerine Clarke
History was created last Monday,
Sept. 2, when First Lady of Guyana,
Sandra Granger walked the nearly
three-mile route as grand marshall
of the 52nd Annual West Indian Day
parade, despite the torrential downpour
that drenched Eastern Parkway.
Mrs. Granger was the first First Lady
of Guyana to participate in the carnival
parade in the history of WIADCA’s five
plus decades in existence.
Mrs. Granger, who was a guest of
honor of the executive of West Indian
American Day Carnival Association
(WIADCA) to represent her country,
started the day at the organization’s
annual breakfast morning in Lincoln
Terrace Park, Brooklyn, where she
thanked President, Jean Joseph and the
body for giving her the opportunity as
one of the grand marshalls of the Labor
Day parade.
“I would like to thank the executive
for giving me the privilege to be a Grand
Marshall of this parade today.”
“Thank you for inviting me to this
display of Caribbean unity, love and the
display of our culture,” said Mrs. Granger,
whose delegation, included Consul
General of Guyana to New York, Barbara
Atherly, president of the Guyana
Unity Movement, Sherif Barker-Fraser,
Joycelyn Thomas-Wilson, PNC/R member,
Rev. James Richmond, and other
members of the Guyanese community.
New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio,
his wife ChirlaneMcCray, and several
other dignitaries, greeted Mrs. Granger
after the reception and had a photo
opportunity on the grounds of Lincoln
Park where the event was held.
By Nelson A. King
Despite heavy thundershowers, local
and state politicians, as they do every
year, were very omnipresent during the
52nd West Indian American Day Carnival
Parade on Monday, Labor Day, on
Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway.
Politicians, of every stripe, made sure
they were seen and heard during the
parade, beginning with the pre-parade
breakfast, at the Lincoln Terrace Park
on Buffalo Avenue, at the start of the 3
½-mile-long parade route.
“Are you proud of your heritage?”
asked New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio,
as patrons responded affirmatively
at the pre-parade breakfast.
“Are you happy to celebrate today?” he
also asked, getting the same response.
“I’m proud of what people of Caribbean
descent have done for New York
City and all what the people of the Caribbean
have given to New York,” said
the mayor after asking for prayers for
“our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas,”
who were severely affected by the
onslaught of Hurricane Dorian.
“We have to count the Caribbean
community, or we’ll lose representation,”
de Blasio added about the 2020
Census. “I will make sure the count is
counted.
“Everybody, make sure we have a
good time between the rain drops,” he
continued.
First lady Chirlane McCray, who preceded
the mayor, said: “There are much
more than the fears we have inside.
“As leaders, we have to make sure
we get people out to vote,” said McCray,
who traces her roots to Barbados and
St. Lucia. “I’m asking all of you to
get counted in the Census. Don’t be
afraid!”
Brooklyn Congresswoman Yvette D.
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants,
said: “It’s great to show Caribbean
pride on the parkway.
“Our carnival has been part of the
Brooklyn community for decades now,”
said the representative for the 9th Congressional
District in Brooklyn.
“I could not miss the opportunity to
address you all,” added Clarke, disclosing
that she had earlier participated in
the Caribbean J’Ouvert celebration.
“Remember, our unity is our
strength,” she continued. “We have a
tyrant in the White House. We have to
make sure our unity counts.”
New York State Attorney General
Letitia James said briefly: “Immigrants
are responsible for the greatness of this
city.”
New York City Comptroller Scott
Stringer complimented the organizer,
the Brooklyn-based West Indian American
Day Carnival Association (WIADCA),
for “a great parade in Brooklyn.”
And New York State Assemblyman
Jamaican Nick Perry prayed – unsuccessfully
– for no rain during the
parade.
“We’re hoping that the rain wont
spoil it,” he told Caribbean Life, as dark
clouds hovered the city. “I hope the hurricane
keeps all the water in the South
(Southern United States) all day.”
Joel Toney, a former St. Vincent and
the Grenadines Ambassador to the
United Nations, noted the uniqueness
of the West Indian American Day Carnival
Parade.
“This is the largest parade in New
York City,” the former candidate for the
40th Council District in Brooklyn told
Caribbean Life under the pre-parade
breakfast tent, as rain poured down
heavily, for two uninterrupted hours,
at the beginning of the parade. “A lot
of people don’t understand the amount
of money the parade generates for New
York City.
“It’s a cultural affair,” added Toney
about the parade. “There’s no other cultural
affair like this one in the US.”
Unlike last year, New York Gov.
Andrew Cuomo was not present this
year for the pre-parade breakfast, but
he sent a congratulatory message to
WIADCA.
“’The Empire State’ (New York) cherishes
our multicultural population
and values the rich diversity of people
who strengthen the fabric of our society,”
said Cuomo in his message in
WIADCA’s souvenir carnival journal. “A
vibrant community of individuals from
the West Indies and Caribbean islands
contributes significantly to our state,
and takes special pride in the traditions
they generously share with the people
of all backgrounds.
“Within the Borough of Brooklyn,
this population is a thriving presence
of positive influence that continues to
add to the social, cultural and economic
foundation of daily life,” he added.
From left, First Lady of New York,
Chirlane McCray, First Lady of
Guyana, H. E. Sandra Granger,
Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Serif
Barker, president of the Guyana
Unity Movement. James Richmond
Politicians everywhere at
Caribbean Carnival Parade
Guyana’s First
Lady Grand
Marshall at
West Indian
parade
WIADCA Dominican-born president,
Dr. Jean Joseph with Grand Marshal
Haitian Councilman, Dr. Mathieu Eugene.
Photo by Nelson A. King