12:28 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Events| Justice| New York City| Puerto Rico
12 Jun 2007
While most people watching the 50th annual Puerto Rican Day Parade were watching King Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez replacing Daddy Yankee on the MTV Tr3, float, the NYPD was busy arresting 208 parade goers after reports that the Latin Kings were going to attempt to join the parade. But some of those arrested were anything but “gang” members. Among the arrestees were a 55-year-old postal worker from Paterson, N.J., and the college-bound nephew of a New Jersey police officer.
Of the 208 people arrested, 132 were charged with gathering illegally, the police said. Most of the rest were charged with other misdemeanors, including marijuana and weapons possession. At last year’s parade, 50 to 60 people were arrested, according to the police. according to a Legal Aid attorney representing many of those arrested “People said they were being told by the police that they needed this group to turn the corner; then when they obeyed, the police were waiting around the corner,”
Anyone who has been to the parade will not find this surprising, given the way police gate off blocks surrounding the Fifth Avenue parade area, making movement a monumental logistical feat. According to the Legal Aid attorney 198 of the 208 arrested were “gang” members, including 145 Latin Kings, 40 Bloods and 13 Ñetas (incorrectly written in the NYT as “Natas”).
Many of the parents of the young men arrested say that their sons were not “gang” members and were arrested for the simple fact of being Latino.
While parade organizers have not wanted Latin King and other street organization participation, sometimes community groups marching in the parade have invited members to march with them.
Via / NYT (Registration Required)
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3 Responses to Arrests at Puerto Rican Parade Jump
BLK N gLD
June 21st, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Unfortunately its time we fight this kind of oppression from the NYPD… This is not new the ALKQN has been fighting this kind of treatment for years, as brothers and sisters we need to get toghether and fight this oppression as a NATION. We are one of the oldest organized nations in history and we are NOT going anywherre!! So for alll District Attourneys of NYC you will hear from our nation again!!!!!!
Anonymous
July 7th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Latin kings ñetas both of them are from puerto rico you dont know what they are capable of doing and dont believe those mother stories they couldve been latin or ñetas.Bloods are USA Gangs.
Maegan la Mala Ortiz
July 8th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Actually Latin Kings started in Chicago by Puerto Ricans.