Senate Resolution No. 916
BY: Senator MYRIE
COMMENDING the West Indian American Day Carnival
Association upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
West Indian Labor Day Carnival and Parade on
September 4, 2023
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the West
Indian American Day Carnival Association upon the occasion of hosting
its Annual West Indian Labor Day Carnival and Parade on September 4,
2023; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 56th Anniversary of the West Indian
American Day Carnival and Parade; the centerpiece of the Carnival is the
extraordinary colorful Parade consisting of many vibrant floats,
exquisite costumes, a cacophony of music, Caribbean entertainment stars,
and various food vendors selling West Indian delicacies; and
WHEREAS, The West Indian American Day Carnival Association is a
historic community organization dedicated to promoting, developing, and
celebrating Caribbean culture, arts, food, history, traditions, and
people; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, the
West Indian American Day Carnival Association collaborates with the
community on programming and throughout the year which culminates with a
week-long display of festivities and a grand finale Carnival Parade; and
WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the West Indian American Day
Carnival Association (WIADCA) promotes, develops, and celebrates the
West Indian/Caribbean culture, arts history, and tradition; and
WHEREAS, The History of Carnival is as colorful as the present-day
festival; its roots lie in the festivities of the original civilization
in Ancient Kemet (Egypt); the many tribes that gathered around the Nile
Delta practiced similar ceremonies to praise their deities; these tribes
were nomads and settled near and far; many Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa tribes
settled in the western region of Africa, and some of them ended up in
the Caribbean in the 1700s and 1800s because of slavery; and
WHEREAS, During this early period, the French, Spanish and British
aristocracy held grand and lavish costume balls, feasts, and small
street parades; after the abolishment of slavery, the character of
Carnival changed, becoming more colorful and spectacular with
magnificent and elaborately designed costumes; and
WHEREAS, The people of the Caribbean have exported their carnival
traditions to Canada, England, and several United States cities;
however, the New York version of this celebration far exceeds any
similar celebration in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The earliest known Carnival street activity was held during
the 1940s, when Ms. Wardell secured the first street permit for a parade
event on the streets of Harlem; during the 1960s, another Trinidadian,
Rufus Goring, brought Carnival to Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The "Labor Day Carnival Parade" has grown over the years
from thousands of participants and tourists to over 3.5 million people
in attendance since the mid-1990s; the influx of tourists from all over
the world has benefited New York on an economic level, most recognizably
with large corporations, small businesses, and the tourist/service
industry; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, they served over
75,000 hot meals to the elderly, proving to truly care about the
community; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend cultural events which symbolize the historical, social, and
cultural development of this great State and embody the spirit of the
principles upon which this Nation was founded; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the West Indian American Day Carnival Association upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual West Indian Labor Day Carnival and Parade
on September 4, 2023; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.
