Thousands showed up in Flatbush for the Jamaica Rising Day Parade on Aug. 8. The celebration was not only the first of its kind in New York City, but also in the United States at large, according to the Gothamist.
The event celebrated Jamaica’s 64th year of independence from Britain, taking place just after Jamaican Independence Day on Aug. 6.
“With my roots stretching from District 43 to my mother’s homeland in Jamaica, Jamaica Independence Day is deeply personal,” said Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn’s District 43 Assemblymember in a press release. “May the strength, unity, and hope of the Jamaican people continue to inspire generations to come,” he said.
“My mother here has been living in Brooklyn for many, many years,” one attendee told News 12. “I came all the way from London to celebrate this amazing day with my mother.
The parade began at 11 a.m. from Church and Ocean avenues in Flatbush, continuing north until Lincoln Road. Brooklyn’s own DJ Danglez brought sounds of reggae, dancehall, soca and R&B music to the event.
Organizers and parade-goers described the event as a success and hope it to become an annual Brooklyn tradition, News 12 reported. Many are looking ahead to next year’s parade, which could draw even bigger crowds marking Jamaica’s 65th anniversary of independence.
