New York

Costumes, Drums and Tight Security at New York City's J'Ouvert, West Indian Day Parade

What to Know

  • Steel drum bands and paint-splashed, costumed revelers are taking to the streets of Brooklyn Monday for a Caribbean carnival
  • The festivities include a daytime parade and street party called J'Ouvert, are being accompanied by legions of police officers, checkpoints
  • The security measures are all intended to prevent violence that has marred the party in the past

Steel drum bands and paint-splashed, wildly costumed revelers are taking to the streets of Brooklyn Monday for one of North America's largest Caribbean Carnival celebrations.

And once again, the huge, colorful crowds drawn to the city's West Indian American Day events, which includes a daytime parade and a street party called J'Ouvert that traditionally begins before dawn, are being accompanied by legions of police officers, checkpoints and floodlights, all intended to prevent violence that has marred the party in the past.

"J'Ouvert is one of the most vibrant cultural celebrations in our city, and we're working with the community to make the festivities are enjoyable for all," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday in announcing the safety measures. "No one should have to choose between ensuring their safety and celebrating their heritage."

New York's Caribbean community has held annual Carnival celebrations since the 1920s, first in Harlem and then in Brooklyn, where festivities happen on Labor Day.

J'Ouvert, which comes from the French words "jour" and "ouvert" and means daybreak, features revelers who cover their bodies in paint or oil, wear helmets with giant horns, and toss talcum powder into the air. The highlight is a parade of steel pan bands.

Hours after the J'Ouvert party, the separate and much larger New York Caribbean Carnival Parade is held on Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway, featuring more bands and masquerade revelers in feathered costumes riding on bright floats. It lasts into the early evening.

J'Ouvert was once only loosely organized and began in the dark, hours before dawn, in a Brooklyn neighborhood still dealing with gang violence. Late-night shootings were a concern for years, but outrage grew fervent in 2015, when Carey Gabay, an aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, died after he left his Brooklyn home to attend the festivities and was hit by stray gunfire. Two more people were killed at the celebration in 2016, despite enhanced security.

The New York Police Department announced Friday that security for this year's J'Ouvert would mirror steps taken last year. That included a 6 a.m. start time for the steel band parade, instead of the middle-of-the-night start of years ago, along with more officers assigned to the scene, security checkpoints to enter the area, light towers, security cameras, and a prohibition on large bags, alcohol and weapons.

Some criticized the expanded police presence as hampering the atmosphere of the celebration, but Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams disagreed.

"I believe the city moved in the right direction on ensuring we could have a safe J'Ouvert," he said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us