Public Employee Press

Labor Solidarity at Puerto Rican Parade

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

The blazing hot 96-degree temperature June 8 could not deter the crowd of more than 1 million flag-waving Puerto Ricans and those who proudly marched up Manhattan’s Fifth Ave. at the city’s 13th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Manny Olivo, a School Aide at PS 36 in Manhattan and member of Local 372, was part of a healthy contingent of union members from DC 37, organized by the union’s Latino Heritage Committee, which participated in the annual celebration on the first Sunday in June.

“I saw the union marching in the parade last year,” said Olivo, the seven-year veteran who came with his family. “I always wanted to be a part of it so I made sure that I came this year to march with the union and brought my son.”

Carmen Flores, the Latino Heritage Committee co-chair and a member of Local 1549, led the lively DC 37 contingent along with Santos Crespo, executive vice president of Local 372 and the committee’s chair. “It was very important that our union be here today and carry our DC 37 banner up Fifth Ave. with the Puerto Rican community on this very important day,” said Flores, as she handed out T-shirts to the members with the Latino Heritage Committee logo.

Leading the parade as Grand Marshal was union leader Dennis Rivera, Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the governor of Puerto Rico, Anibal Acevedo Vila.

Among the many prominent Puerto Ricans marching along the parade route to the pulsating beat of salsa and high school bands were Hall of Fame baseball player Orlando Cepeda, Fox television reporter Geraldo Rivera, the popular reggaeton duo Wisin and Yandell and Representative Nydia Velazquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. Congress.