Brooklyn, NY – On Sunday, June 9, 2019, community partners organized and held the First Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick. Many years ago, community members would often finish the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Manhattan and would continue the celebration on Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn. Due to the lack of official permits the streets have remained closed for 15 years; within that time frame many community members felt disheartened from celebrating the Puerto Rican Culture. However, that all changed when thousands of people gathered around Sunday afternoon and enjoyed the parade down Knickerbocker Avenue filled with talents, dance, and music. This day served as a mark in history for the Bushwick Community in which many community members were ecstatic.

This all would not have been possible on Sunday without the community’s input, the help of NYPD and the Knickerbocker Avenue Task Force Members who have dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure that the parade ran smoothly and safely. Assemblywoman Maritza Davila served as the God Mother, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Chief Jeffery Maddrey served as the God Fathers or padrinos for the parade.

The parade symbolized unity and diversity for the Bushwick Community, a family-friendly, all-inclusive parade that led into House of Yes where DJ Carlito served as the Grand Marshal for the event.  Local artists had the opportunity to perform and showcase their talents to the community. The performance included artist such as Denzel y Marlex, Don Dre, New York Natives, Frank Litty, CYN Roc, Jaystylez, Jonathan Fontaine, Illanoiz, Big Sence, G7 Patch and SabyLo. The night came to a peaceful end and many hearts were filled with support and love in celebration of the Puerto Rican culture.

“I knew that we had to bring this back to Bushwick and organize a committee that was going to make it happen and we did it. Today was a true constellation that we are still here in Bushwick united with diversity. The amount of support on Knickerbocker Avenue was truly incredible. No incidents occurred and safety was on our side thanks to the NYPD. It will be bigger and better next year,” said Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, Representing the 53^rd Assembly District.

“The parade was great, it was a wonderful feeling to see that the people who made this community are still here,” said Robert Camacho, President of Magnifico Youth Sports Association (MYSA).

“The Puerto Rican parade accurately demonstrated the lively Latino Culture of Bushwick, which is imperative to continue to create events like the parade that celebrates and preserves Bushwick’s Latinx culture,” said El Puente Bushwick Center.

“This Puerto Rican Day Parade was like a light at the end of a tunnel for Bushwick!” said Barbara Smith, President of the 83^rd Precinct Community Council.

“So happy to have been a part of this historical celebration, sometimes in life we get so caught up in living and trying to get ahead that we forget those who paved the way for us. Today is a new day and a new beginning and we as leaders must show the love and patriotism our flag symbolizes. We have come such a long way, but we have so much farther to go, gods bless our people and our culture,” said Jasmine Montalvo, Service and Volunteer Manager for RiseBoro Community Partnership.

This parade on Knickerbocker Avenue is the results of people coming together as one, unifying not just Puerto Ricans but the whole diverse community we live in,” said Henry Baez, Board Member for Knickerbocker Avenue Puerto Rican Parade Committee.

“Having established ourselves in Bushwick in the early 1970s, Tony’s Pizzeria and Restaurant was honored to have helped in bringing a part of Bushwick’s rich cultural history back to life.  Without a doubt, that sentiment was on full display on June 9^th.  From the wave of red, white and blue colors flowing down Knickerbocker Avenue that could been seen as far out as humanly possible to the tears of joy that flowed from an older generation of Bushwick folks who trekked back to celebrate on pride filed streets... our streets were filled with a sentiment of hope that Bushwick’s past has not been forgotten and that its future is in our hearts!” said Salvatore B. Polizzi from Tony’s Pizzeria and Restaurant.

“I lived in the Bushwick neighborhood for over 40 years and I’m very impressed that this parade has happened, I’m glad to be a part of it. This is something that the community needed,” said DJ Woody.

“My mother moved me from Puerto Rico to New York to give me a better life and a better chance at pursuing my dreams. Here I am now a proud Puerto Rican and a resident of Bushwick living my dream and giving back the community. I’m grateful for it all,” said DJ Carlito.

“I would like to thank all who attended or showed support for the first ever Puerto Rican Day Parade in Bushwick! It was unbelievably epic to know how many people showed up on Knickerbocker to show love for the day. So much love and so many blessings to all who contributed to make this historic day come to life. I’m truly very grateful and absolutely thankful that all went amazing. Special Thanks to Maritza Davila, Evette Lopez, Paula Melendez, Robert Camacho, the 83^rd Precinct and all those who helped in making this special day come to life. We did it! We actually did it!” said Mathew Perez, Board Member for Knickerbocker Avenue Puerto Rican Day Committee.