The West Indian Day Parade is This Weekend

The West Indian Day Carnival starts this week. Events are scheduled from Thursday, August 30th to Monday, September 3rd, stretching from the Brooklyn Museum to Prospect Park. You can browse a schedule here.

Since last year’s parade, nearly 20 NYPD employees have faced discipline after posting racist comments on a Facebook page about the  2011 West Indian American Day Parade. The New York Post wrote up comments, as did the New York Times, quoting the page further.

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), who was arrested during last year’s parade, released a statement last week concerning the incidents in which he said he was pleased that the NYPD seemed to be taking the offending comments seriously but that the episode was indicative of a larger problem.

“I must again point out that as troubling as these comments were, my larger concern is that they reflect some discriminatory patterns within the procedures and practices of the NYPD,” wrote Williams. “As we continue to advance the movement for better policing and safer streets, we must stay committed to improving police-community relations and reforming the policies that have damaged them.”

Let’s hope this year the Parade is what it is supposed to be – a fabulous event celebrating the heritage of our neighbors that brings about 2 million people to Eastern Parkway, according to the organizers.

Photo by wiadcacarnival.org