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)