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Thousands of New Yorkers Attend Brooklyn's West Indian American Day Parade to Celebrate Caribbean Culture

Thousands of New Yorkers gathered on Eastern Parkway for the annual West Indian American Day Parade, a major celebration of Caribbean culture. The event began at 11 a.m., featuring colorful costumes, music, and flags from across the Caribbean. Attendees celebrated various traditions, including the preceding J'Ouvert street celebration, which was moved to 6 a.m. to improve safety. Organizers and participants highlighted the parade as a defiant assertion of pride despite a somber atmosphere for some Haitian migrants who recently lost temporary protected status. The event featured diverse performances, including the group Lespri Ayiti, which showcased Haitian revolutionary history through hand-painted costumes. To ensure a smooth experience, the NYPD increased patrols and installed metal barriers along the route. This heightened security follows previous years where violence marred the celebrations. Police reported three people were shot in separate incidents around 4 p.m., while a stabbing occurred earlier in the morning. Despite these precautions, the crowd focused on the community and tradition.

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