More than 80,000 people marched in the Puerto Rican Day parade and up to two million people turned out to watch the celebration. Credit: Billy Becerra
It was a colorful weekend in Brooklyn and Manhattan as politicians picked up rainbow flags for Brooklyn Pride on Saturday and then showed some love for one of New York’s largest communities with the massive Puerto Rican Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Sunday.
With 30 organizations participating in the march,Brooklyn Pride was a smaller affair,wending its way south through Park Slope. Mayoral candidates Christine Quinn and Anthony Weiner took part in the parade, with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitzserving as grand marshal.
With a recent spate of anti-gay bias attacks fresh in everyone’s mind, Quinn paid tribute to Mark Carson, who was shot and killed in the West Village last month.
“The folks who commit these crimes, they’re cowards and they want to create fear in all of us, not just their direct victims,” said Quinn, who if elected would become New York’s first openly gay mayor. “And great events like these send a message that our community and our allies are growing.”
The following day, up to two million spectators turned out for the Puerto Rican Day Parade, with roughly 80,000 people marchingnorth from 44th Street to 79th Street along Fifth Avenue.
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