60th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City
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New York City - The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. Now in its 60th year, the parade takes place on June 11, 2017; from 44th Street to 79th Street along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, in honor of the 3.5 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and over 5 million people residing in the United States.
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s theme Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces (One Nation, Many Voices) celebrates the creativity and diversity of thought in Puerto Rico and across the diaspora. We celebrate and honor the leaders, educators, artists, and celebrities that have left a cultural footprint on this nation.
The history of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of cultural resilience, pride, unity, awareness and education, rooted in the spirit of activism, freedom and justice. We are proud that such legacy remains alive and strong today, 60 years after the Parade's founders first marched in New York City to celebrate their cultural heritage and raise awareness of the presence and positive contribution of the Puerto Rican community, and also spotlight the issues that affected Puerto Ricans in New York and Puerto Rico at the time. This continues to be part of the Parade's DNA, something the current Board honors with great responsibility. The Parade Board has a proven history of embracing causes and has taken a proactive stance to bring vital issues that speak to the Puerto Rican experience across la Patria Extendida to the global stage that is Fifth Avenue. Be it taking a stance on civil and human rights for political prisoners, including Oscar López Rivera, calling for The Borinqueneers to be bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal, championing for environmental justice for Caño Martín Peña, LGBTQ rights and marriage equality, the Parade has confronted several issues and challenges.
Others include the fight for fairness, justice and representation in U.S./Puerto Rico government and economics, labor rights, the current economic crisis, the Medicaid and healthcare in Puerto Rico, among other. Our Parade has a pioneering history and legacy of championing the people’s voice and providing a platform that prompts healthy discussions and leads to positive change. This activism happens every June and year-round, as we have joined other community members in Orlando, Washington D.C. and at other locations over the past years. We will continue to do so, while still celebrating the rich cultural pride, heritage, identity and tradition, that bind us together.
STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE, INC.
While we are saddened and disappointed by certain sponsors pulling out of our Parade, we respect their views and decision to do so. Equally, we respect our Parade’s mission and commitment to inclusiveness, and the responsibility of representing the broadest possible blend voices that make up the Puerto Rican community.
While we cannot predict whether other sponsors and/or organizations might choose not to join us on Fifth Avenue this year, we expect they will do so with the same level of responsibility and professionalism as JetBlue and the Yankees. This community deserves no less. We thank the thousands of individuals, elected officials and community leaders who have expressed their support for the Parade, its 2017 honoree roster, and its commitment to raise awareness about the issues that impact Puerto Ricans across the world, even if some issues might spark a conversation.
#Boricua #BoricuaPride #ElectedOfficials #LetitiaJames #Loisaida #MayorDeBlasio #NewYork #NYC #NYCityCouncil #OneNationManyVoices #OscarLopez #OscarLopezRivera #Parade #PRParade #PuertoRicanParade #PuertoRico #PuertoRicoNoSeVende #PuertoRicoNotForSale #UnPuebloMuchasVoces
© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963
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