Well over a million people will be gathered in New York City this Sunday, June 10, 2018, to attend the annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. This year it has special significance because of the ongoing devastation and death toll reports from Hurricane Maria. As we enter a new hurricane season, there are still people on the island living without power, and under blue tarp roofs.
You can be part of this demonstration of solidarity, love and pride by tuning in to watch. The parade will be aired live on WABC-TV. You can watch online.
NYC Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. wrote:
This year demands a defiant Puerto Rican Day Parade
For the past 60 years, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade has been a celebration of everything that it means to be Boricua. Each June, we come together to march up Fifth Ave. not only to show the world our pride in our culture and heritage, but to highlight our contributions to the overall success of this city and this nation.
This year, everything is different. Our parade must also be different. It must reflect the stark reality our brothers and sisters face on the island in the aftermath of both natural and man-made disasters…
This is President Trump’s own Hurricane Katrina. Yet he declares victory, and he throws paper towels to the crowd.The Trump administration has failed the 3.5 million residents of Puerto Rico. The administration’s inaction has forced American citizens to live in third-world conditions, and has set the island up for further economic and physical ruin.
He concluded (my bold)
Symbolism has always been important in politics. This year, my fellow Boricua and our allies here in the United States must use this parade as a symbol that we will not accept less than others.
We must send a message that failure to help Puerto Rico in its recovery will have dire consequences on Election Day.
The official parade site is National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
The 2018 Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade will be held on New York City’s Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street, on Sunday, June 10, starting at 11:00 am (EST). The event will be aired live via WABC-TV, Channel 7 in New York.
Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrations shaped by hurricane recovery efforts
Puerto Ricans in New York City aren’t letting months of slow-going hurricane relief efforts rain on this weekend’s parade. Rather, they plan to use the Fifth Avenue march as a show of solidarity and strength. “It is celebratory, but there is a different tone,” said Louis Maldonado, chair of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s board. “We want to frame everything the appropriate way and keep the dialogue about the island fresh.”
Maldonado said he and other organizers worked for months to revamp the parade following Hurricane Maria, and tailored a celebration that mixed fun with reflection. The 61st annual parade — themed “One People, Many Voices” — will honor several New Yorkers and groups who played key roles in recovery efforts on the island. Honorees include CBS News reporter David Begnaud, who will be named “Campeón Puertorriqueño,” which translates to “Puerto Rican Champion,” for his extensive coverage; former Mets and Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran, who will be named “Athlete of the Year” for raising over $1.5 million for Maria recovery; and the Hispanic Federation. “What we can do in a celebratory manner is to honor those who really stepped up,” Maldonado said.
At the same time, parade goers say they will make sure the city and country don’t forget how much work is yet to be done on the island. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said frustrations over the federal government’s handling of the storm reached a new level last week after a Harvard University study found that at least 4,645 were killed as a result of Maria, a large discrepancy from the federal government’s estimate of 64 fatalities.
HONOREES
Grand Marshal: Esaí Morales
Madrina: Laura Posada
Padrino: Jorge Posada
Queen: Zuleyka Rivera
Lifetime Achievement: Lucecita Benítez; Iluminado Dávila; Pedro Guzmán; Ismael Miranda; Virginia Sánchez Korrol
Orgullo Puertorriqueño: Victoria Sanabria
Puerto Rican Champion: David Begnaud
Athlete of the Year: Carlos Beltrán
Ambassadors: Richard Colón; Jackie Guerrido; Sunny Hostin; Naiz; Jorge Pabón; Tats Cru; Julio Gaby Acevedo; Alan Villafaña; Ricardo Villarini; Johnny Bliss; Michael Stuart
Rising Stars: Christopher Rivera; Sebastián Rosado
Special Recognition: Maribel Delgado; Fabiola Méndez; Luis Sanz; Manny Trinidad; Cristian Nieves
I marched in the parade when I was younger. I’ve attended many times in the past as well. This year, I am going to boost the ratings by watching.
I hope you will too.
Pa’lante!