Thousands of Mexicans, Americans, and supporters gather at 53 Madison Ave Manhattan, NY Sunday Sept. 21. The smell of churros, Tostada de Tinga, and many other Mexican food vendors surround the sidewalks. Chants of “Viva Mexico” is chanted as the parade spanning from 39st and 27th street along Madison avenue, and the performers filled the streets with red, white and green, the colors of the Mexican flag. The opening performers start by showcasing Lowriders and classic cars that are inspired by Mexican culture, which are followed by folklórico dancers and cars wrapped in Mexican flags.
The parade is not only meant to highlight the American celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day, it also shows the unity of the Mexican community. The parade provides more opportunities for Hispanic street vendors to be supported by the foot traffic, while also introducing first timers and many who aren’t familiar to Mexican culture. These vendors sell authentic food such as tamales, aguas frescas, tostadas, elote and esquites, along with much more to those who attend. Other vendors sell Mexican style puppets, sombreros, flags, and cultural bracelets for those looking for novelty items. For many of these vendors this is their livelihood to support their families and put food on the table, which is why it is important for the community to strongly support their vendors. 18-year-old native New Yorker Betisy said, “Everything gets better, we are stronger together because we are not alone. There will always be our community where we belong no matter how politics have affected us.”
The parade overall was organized to show support and to admire Mexican pride. While hundreds of people were celebrating, tensions heightened as rival gang members were nearby celebrating the parade.
Around 5:00 pm, about 6 hours into the Mexican day parade, two innocent bystanders near the route of the parade were injured in suspected gang-related violence. The first incident started with the stabbing of a 24-year old man. As the parade began to unwind the man was struck in his right buttock. A 14-year-old boy was charged Monday morning on Sep. 22, for gang-assault. The next incident happened not too long after involving a 17-year-old girl, who had been hospitalized after being hit by a stray bullet. She was shot on her shoulder, causing a collapsed lung. Her attacker, 35-year-old Joel Nieves, confessed to shooting at rival gang members. Both victims were treated at Bellevue Hospital and are recovering. Although both crimes happened blocks away, police suspect that they were connected. These incidents sent the Mexican Day Parade into a panic, people and street vendors took off to avoid any brutality. The pride and celebration stayed strong as those who participated in the parade would be celebrating all throughout NY. Many posts throughout social media showed small crowds of people that attended the parade. Post from Time Square, Bronx, Queens, and even at Penn Station of people embracing the culture by continuing to celebrate. Many videos of people dancing Cumbia, Zapateado, Huapango, and Bachata while singing songs by popular bands like Aventura just embracing the culture.
