Jamaican leaders condemn violence at West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn

Jamaican community leaders in New York are condemning the violence that marred this year’s West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, while calling for collective action to ensure the major Caribbean cultural celebration remains safe.

Dr Karren Dunkley, co-founder and president of the Jamaica Rising Day Parade, says Caribbean people must be able to gather, celebrate and enjoy themselves without fear that someone will be injured or lose their life because another person chooses violence.

“We can and should challenge bias when we see it, including inequities in how Caribbean communities and our cultural events are sometimes portrayed in the media,” she said.