August 14, 2023
Verenice Mackey
Photos: qphotonyc
Yesterday’s Dominican Day Parade in NYC brought out tens of thousands of Dominicans, Dominican Americans, and Dominicans for a Day. The festive annual event featured civic organizations, regional elected officials and, for the first time, the President of the Dominican Republic. The chance to see him in person was a powerful incentive to attend the event.
Earlier on Sunday, President Abinader was joined by US Representitive Adriano Espaillat, NY Governor Kathy Hochul, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, and others at The Hudson on Dyckman Street for a pre-parade rally. There Hochul signed legislation that allows banking and driver license recognition between NY and DR (see video below).
From the Governor’s Press Office::
Ahead of the Dominican Day Parade, Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated New York’s Dominican community and highlighted the close ties between New York and the Dominican Republic.
Governor Hochul met with Dominican President Luis Abinader, announced that the Dominican Republic’s largest commercial bank was approved to open a representative office in New York, highlighted $1.5 million in State funding for the Dominican Studies Institute at City College and signed new legislation allowing the Department of Motor Vehicles to reach agreements with governments outside the United States that could allow individuals to exchange their driver’s licenses.
“New York wouldn’t be New York without our Dominican community,” Governor Hochul said. “Today and every day, I am so grateful to the Dominican community for their work in making New York State a better place and will continue to work to ensure that New York remains a great place for Dominican Americans to call home.”
After the rally, President Abinader plunged into the admiring crowd, shaking hands and greeting supporters. It was a remarkable scene as he made his way though to the waiting motorcade.
From there everyone headed downtown for the parade, which marched up 6th Ave. The President, First Lady and Representative Espaillat stopped at a stage along the way and a big crowd surged forward until a police captain hollered, “make a hole!” and cleared a lane for them.
Also on hand to celebrate Dominican Parade Day were NY State Attorney General Letitia James, RD Senador Alexis Victoria Yeb, US Senator Charles Schumer, Officials from Policia Nacional, the Guardian Angels, Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Honoring Dominican American NYPD Officers killed in the Line of Duty.