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With the Puerto Rican Day Parade right around the corner, Mayor Bloomberg reminded Fifth Avenue buildings not to board up their properties. Many buildings along the parade's two mile route had taken to putting plywood on doors and windows, fearing rowdy crowds. While Puerto Rican Day parade violence has been a concern since the 2000 "wildings," the NYPD has made sure to step up patrols. Daily News says no buildings have been boarded up so far and that only police sawhorses have been put out, but 1035 Fifth Avenue told the Post they would put up a metal fence again, since people have climbed onto a window ledge in years past (last year, some buildings put panels and fences up) .
Here's a calendar of events for festivities. Sunday's big parade will start at 11AM, going down Fifth Avenue from 86th Street to 44th. And the Grand Marshal is Mr. Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony. (And one of J. Lo's collaborators, Fat Joe, will also be honored.)
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Why doesn’t the Mayor ask the parade goers not to trespass into areas that they shouldn’t go into…and also not to act so ridiculously stereotypical?
Or better yet, why doesn’t he move the parade to East Harlem so they can mess up their own neighborhood? (Oh wait, then they can not express their “pride” by being loud & obnoxious in a nice neighborhood)
The United States should drop Puerto Rico from its occupied territory list. Let them \"do it\" themselves.
On 2nd thought, can’t the city eliminate all ethnic/nationality parades?
They do nothing but tie up traffic, cause problems (St Patrick’s Day, Puerto Ridiculous Day) and waste tax payers’ money (cops, sanitation, etc)?
Every ethnicity has to have a “look at us” parade and if we get rid of all of them, we all benefit.
Can someone from Gothamist please moderate these comments? I thought the site had a policy for keeping racism out of here.
I suppose eliminating all ethnic/nationality parades would be a great thing if you hate celebrating diversity...
But for (I\'m guessing) the majority of people who like the fact that New York is so diversified– myself included, getting rid of the parades and everything is a stupid idea.
If you don\'t like the parades, and embracing diversity, what the hell are you doing in New York?
I\'m not even Puerto Rican, but I will be going to the parade again this year on Sunday with my friends who are. Have fun holing up in your apartment and waiting for the weekend to end.
Id give props to Jen for the play on words in the headline, but im more inclined to think she really made a typo considering her \'mastery\' of the english language.
As any native NY will tell you, you dont bother going out on the day of the Puerto Rican day parade.And no native NYers that are not Puerto Rican attend that parade.
I agree completely with Bob A Booey. Just because its \"their day\" it doesnt give some Puerto Ricans the right to destroy property, harass women and act generally ridiculous.
None of the other ethnic parades in the city have this reputation year in and year out. Maybe something is to be said about that. If I lived on the parade route, I would board my sh-- up!
Ahh…what knee jerk ignorance! When you criticize a minority, it’s automatically “racist”. Please.
What is racist about thinking that all parades (my ethnicity included) are a public nuisance and a waste of money? It’s the same (accurate) argument people make about street fairs.
Celebrate diversity? There are hundreds of ethnicities living in the city; we’ll have a parade or two every day if we give them all parades. At some point you have to draw the line and rather than play favorites, you get rid of all parades (unless private money covers all police, sanitation). Simple as that.
I also forgot to add that parades are nothing more than an opportunity for politicians to grandstand/pander.
As for my other post, any one who denies that people at the parade on 5th Ave don’t end up climbing on ledges, fences, landscaping, barbecuing on street corners, etc., IS A LIAR.
…and anyone who denies that people walk around town just yelling like idiots on PR Day is also A LIAR.
What is racist about pointing out that many (not all) people at the Puerto Rican Parade act like classless idiots?
When you hear criticism of all the public drunkenness on St Patrick’s Day, the Irish don’t whine about “racism”.
\"What is racist about pointing out that many (not all) people at the Puerto Rican Parade act like classless idiots?\"
Not much, if your original post actually did say that. It sure seem like you were grossly Stereotyping.
Of course, we can\'t be as Classy as \"Bob A Booey\"...
it\'s the only parade i know of that, year in and year out, causes people i know to leave the city for the weekend b/c of the rudeness, lewdness and pukiness that accompanies it
its not just a parade, its a full on weekend-long celebration of people driving drunk, running redlights with 10 people in a car, music blaring, insults being tossed about, barbequing on other peoples stoops, cops being called and puke projectiling
it\'s a nightmare
Apparently these Gothamist boards are filled with a lot of ignorant people. Anytime I read the comments people are saying the most hateful and asinine things about any given event /situation happening in the city. I guess you are those people who won\'t give up your seat on the train for a pregnant woman, who don\'t says \"thank you\" when someone holds the door open for you, etc.
In regards to the Puerto Rican Day Parade, obviously there\'s no reason for violence and vandalism. But, like many other violent events, these acts are carried out by a few people (mostly angry young men). Most Puerto Ricans are very fun and family oriented and just want to hear good music, eat good food and celebrate their (often ignored) culture.
In case you didn\'t know Puerto Rico has been through a lot of trials and tribulations. Puerto Rico continues to struggle with poverty both here in NYC and on the island and they do not have representation in the US Government even though the US dictates what happens there. This struggle has produced a boisterous and fiercly proud people.
Just because you\'re a square gringo doesn\'t mean you should rain (or piss, rather) on their parade.
My favorite memory of the Puerto Rican pride parade was when I was riding the train last year after the parade, going somewhere and minding my business, when a large group of parade revellers (adults and small children) got on the train. They were yelling and fighting amongst themselves, scaring the other passengers, some of whom moved to the other end of the train. What really got everyone moving though was when one of the men starting throwing up on the train, whilst laughing about it. He then started smearing the barf around the floor of the train with his foot after he barfed. No joke. Gross.
les girl, with the exception of \"barbequing on other peoples stoops,\" you just described new year\'s eve.
Here we go again, the parade hasnt even started and people are up in arms over it. Maybe that is a sign that NOBODY wants a damn P.R. parade except the P.R.\'s!
I just remember my first experience with it last summer, which was horrible and mind-nubmingly painful to listen too all weekend, and I was living in brooklyn--far, far away from the parade.
I am just so glad that I am off to DC for the weekend and wont be back until sunday night. Sweet!
Screw the reckless, loud, and obnoxious people of Puerto Rico.
And btw--If they want representation in our gov\'t, then start paying taxes...damn, free-loaders!
In regards to the Puerto Rican Day Parade, obviously there\\\'s no reason for violence and vandalism. But, like many other violent events, these acts are carried out by a few people (mostly angry young men). Most Puerto Ricans are very fun and family oriented and just want to hear good music, eat good food and celebrate their (often ignored) culture.
In case you didn\\\'t know Puerto Rico has been through a lot of trials and tribulations. Puerto Rico continues to struggle with poverty both here in NYC and on the island and they do not have representation in the US Government even though the US dictates what happens there. This struggle has produced a boisterous and fiercly proud people.
Oh OK, now I understand. Puerto Ricans have been through a lot of problems, so it’s OK to act classless for a weekend.
I guess that means I can act like an idiot for all year long since my people (Jews) have been persecuted for 1000’s of years.
BTW, if Puerto Rico wanted its independence so badly, how come it got voted down a few years ago?
Because then they would have to fend for themselves…no more free US Federal gov’t benefits without having to pay Federal Taxes.
What? they didn\'t board up the stores this time? Yee-hah! It\'s time for some Tiffany\'s! Boricua!
What does a puerto rican say when he leaves puerto rico? - Farewell. What does a puerto rican say when he arrives in the USA? - Welfare. hahahah. that joke always gave me a chuckle since grade school. And I learned it from Puerto Rican kids in public school too.
Giving citizenship to the puerto ricans is nothing compared to how the United States steals all our resources and keeps the military occupied there. We deserve even more benefits that regular Americans cause the USA is encroaching on our way of life. IF it weren\'t for Puerto Rico, The US would be looking at fidel castro communist regime in their backyard.
White Puerto Ricans are very well mannered in the parade. It\'s the darkies that mess it up.
We are proud of our culture cause, um, let\'s see... uhhh... PUERTO RICO!!!
i can\'t even believe some of the stuff that has been written here.
it\'s not even worth a discussion. clearly the stereotype that New Yorkers are people who accept diversity is bull.
In General, New Yorkers are people who accept diversity but the ones commenting here hardly reflect NYC\'s population.
The ones who type in such crap would hardly do it if they weren\'t Anonymous. They hide behind aliases and type crap that they would never say out loud...
\"IF it weren\\\'t for Puerto Rico, The US would be looking at fidel castro communist regime in their backyard.\"
lol not bloody likely
No one seems to be able to explain why it is racist to expect people to act dignified when they are supposed to be celebrating “pride” in their heritage?
By acting obnoxious on the subways and the streets and alienating everyone else, how exactly are Puerto Ricans celebrating diversity?
Stop avoiding the issue at hand by crying wolf…I mean racism.
I know gay people who are ashamed at the way many of the Gay Pride participants act/are dressed because it plays into the gay stereotype.
I have Puerto Rican coworkers who steer clear of (and are a little embarrassed of) the PR parade because of all the nonsense. (But then again, they are educated professionals).
It’s OK to critique.
Telling buildings on 5th not to board up is like telling pedestrians never to cross the street because there are drunk drivers out there. The city should be addressing the problem people, not the buildings looking to protect their property.
The Norwegians seemed to behave themselves just fine
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SCENES/norwegians/norway.html
...this year.
g, i hate new years (and halloween) for those very same reasons... i\'m an equal opportunity hater, or if you prefer, crumudgeon.
i understand that some of the behavior that has occurred in the past in this (and other) parades is horrific.
however, classifying one set of people for what a few of their brothers have done, is not only unfortunate, but downright racist.
no one is crying wolf. the problems that have happened in the past are not because the \"idiots\" in question are Puerto Rican. it is because this individuals particularly acted in often criminal manners.
it\'s not a race thing, it\'s an \"idiot\" thing.
their race should have nothing to do with it, but it does here.
and by here, i mean on this board.
Cristina, The thing is: Many people making comments here are so willing to stereotype and then act like they aren\'t. I\'m not sure if it\'s racism or just simple contempt.
Take your pick.
So what if Puerto ricans behave unruly? it\'s not like they are raping or killing anybody, is it? they are just having fun and acting boisterous. When we see chinese people we love to say \"Chino\" out loud and multiple times to point out they are chinese. There is no harm in that. It\'s just fun. See? \"Chino! Chino!\"
Seriously, I don\'t appreciate being called \"racist\" because I use certain precautions. I stay out of Manhattan for the Puerto Rican and Irish parades (as well as New Years). I steer clear of Little Italy during San Genaro (god knows I\'ve had my ass grabbed enough during this one).
Some cultures are just more boisterous, and will obviously be more so during a national pride day. It\'s just common sense, and has nothing to do with my appreciation for diversity.
Well, in 2000 a group of you did molest and terrorize some young girls, which doesn\'t at all fall into the \"having fun and acting boisterous[ly]\" category. Couple that with another group of you trespassing on and destroying private property, and this is why the parade has such a bad reputation.
It\'s very simple: if you want to be treated well, you have to behave well.
So much hatred, so much fear...
Words of Wisdom, Tim \"Yoda\" N. Speaks
;)
Like I Said, \"i beg to differ\", Stereotyping.
The defenders keep talking about the people’s behavior like it is a handful of people acting like idiots when in reality it is 1000’s of people acting obnoxious.
Calling people out on this behavior is no different than year round residents in college towns complaining about college students acting like drunken idiots on the streets.
A large number of Puerto Ricans use this weekend as an excuse to act obnoxious and draw attention to themselves. The overwhelming attitude seems to be “lets show these white people”, but I don’t cry racism.
How about we videotape the parade privately and post it on the net afterwards? Reality will win and prove who\'s racist. I bet a thousand dollars if Jen Chung walked around during the parade a whole bunch of people will start screaming \"chino!\". I bet a thousand dollars if some scantily clad girl walked around, guys will try to molest her. Who wants to take my bet?
sounds like Bob A Booey is a member of the third Reich. You goddamn NAZI!!!! Trying to stereotype people. Go back to Germany with the rest of the Jews.
They should take the parade away from where it\'s unwanted to a thoroughfare that would need more positive attention in an area with a strong Latino presence...like the Grand Concourse. Similar to the way the West Indian Day Parade is on Eastern Parkway.
New York\'s idea of diversity: leaving the kids with the Caribbean nanny, passing by the African American doorman on the way out of the luxury condo, getting into a cab driven by a Sikh, going to a restaurant with the European star chef (who isn\'t actually in the kitchen but 30 guys representing every Central American country are) whose menu is Asian-something fusion. The wine is imported, from whatever continent is in these days. Later, the bouncer at the velvet roped night club is probably a minority as well but the diveristy represented in the club is measured by which investment banks and law firms are represented.
Its funny how many people cry racism when the discussion has been about people who act obnoxious, tresspass, and destroy property.
I guess the truth hurts.
BTW, can someone PLEASE explain to me what is diverse about a parade where the vast majority of attendees and participants are Puerto Rican???
Here is an interesting article about race and the Puerto Rican Pride Parade: http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2000/06/23/central_park/print.html
I hate the PR parade - has nothing to do with racism at all, but for some reason it (and the St.Paddy\'s) parade are the most obnoxious
Usually Puerto Ricans are really well behaved. My maid Juanita always asks how I\'m doing and is really well mannered. Oh wait, She\'s mexican, forget what I said.
Thanks for the warning.
Bring in the national guard. It is sad that we need 20,000 armed police officers to keep the city relati vely safe during the PR \"pride\" parade. They behave like animals, I\'m sorry to say. That norwegian parade linked above looks quite nice and peaceful. Why can\'t PR people behave like that?
Just heard on the news that the Latin Kings gang is one of the groups marching in the parade.
So much for Puerto Rican \"pride\" and for this supposedly being a pacefully law abiding day.
LOL (literally)
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is the worst day of the year in Manhattan. Violent, filthy, disgusting. All of the worst thugs in New York come to OUR neighborhood and destroy what they can. Over 100 arrests last year! Just a week ago they had the Israeli Day Parade- no violence, no alcohol, no stabbings, no destruction, no sexual assaults. If anyone thinks I\'m making it up, just watch the videotapes from the 2000 parade- those animals sexually assaulting every woman in site, as the onlookers cheered. PUERTO RICAN PRIDE, WOO HOO!!
I remember walking along Fifth Avenue last year, just as the parade was ending. Every trash can was empty; paradegoers simply tossed their litter, food debris and empty beer cans onto sidewalks and flower beds.
I welcome any parade whose participants will be orderly, sober and respectful of the neighborhood they are visiting. But year after year, the Puerto Rican paradegoers have shown they are incapable of behaving lawfully.
Needlessly blasting car horns as they drive through residential streets and creating a disgusting mess for Sanitation workers and Fifth Avenue doormen to pick up is decidedly uncivilized.
No other ethnic parade treats Fifth Avenue so disgustingly. Instead of chastizing building owners, the Mayor might think about telling his Puerto Rican constituents to behave like human beings.
tough titties,
it\'s dinkins time baby
or, can\'t you see the signs already?
what are you going to do? shoot us?
why yes, yes we are.
There are never any problems with the other ethnic parades. I don't see the Irish or the Gays being violent. Ban the Puerto Rican parade for good, these cretins don't deserve public use our streets.