West Indian American Day Parade Kicks Off with Heightened Security

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 1, 2025 (AP) - Today’s 58th annual West Indian American Day Parade stepped off along Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights under a massive security deployment, as New York City celebrated Caribbean heritage on Labor Day.

The parade, drawing well over a million participants and spectators, began at 11 a.m. with thousands of NYPD officers-including plainclothes units-supported by helicopters, drones and metal-railed “moats” separating marchers from crowds. Commissioner Jessica Tisch described it as the department’s largest operation of the year, surpassing deployments for New Year’s Eve in Times Square and Fourth of July fireworks on the East River.

Earlier this morning, the traditional J’Ouvert festivities opened the day’s carnival at 6 a.m., filling Brooklyn streets with steel pan bands, powdered paint and early-morning dance processions that honor emancipation and Caribbean culture. Under the theme “Vive le Carnivale,” masqueraders in elaborate costumes paraded down Eastern Parkway toward Grand Army Plaza, accompanied by soca, reggae and calypso rhythms.

Mayor Eric Adams emphasized that there were no credible threats against the event and pledged zero tolerance for violence after last year’s fatal shooting. Parade organizers and community leaders welcomed the enhanced safety measures, aiming to ensure the celebration remained focused on music, food and family. The parade will continue through 6 p.m., concluding a weekend of carnival events that included steel band competitions and family-friendly Junior Carnival performances.