New Haven Independent

Posted by: Resident | June 4, 2007 10:22 AM

Worst weekend of my life. I have never seen such a low class event. People were parked every where they were honking there horns and revving there motorcycle engines all day Saturday and Sunday. Most of the men couldn't even find a shirt to wear running around in just plain white T-shirts. Although many of them did wear there flag as a cape so I guess that counts as clothing. They trashed the city piling up garbage everywhere. To top it off the owner of the Yuppie Boutique was shot and killed out side his store. The city should ban this event from now on. It's a total mess.

Posted by: Miss | June 4, 2007 12:30 PM

"them"? "low class event"? "plain white t-shirts"? I had no idea this festival had a dress or class code.

While any gathering of thousands of people is a dangerous proposition, perhaps what is more damaging is the prejudice that clearly exists in this city.

Posted by: Resident | June 4, 2007 12:47 PM

No dress code but put something on how hard is that. Have a little class and a little respect for everyone else. You dont see anything close to the level of degradation at the freddie fixer day or saint patrick's day event. Youd dont see people hanging out there car windows siting on car roofs or beeping there car horns non-stop. Learn how to act in public.

Posted by: nfjanette | June 4, 2007 12:53 PM

The band on the Goya truck is awesome...

Posted by: forgotten words | June 4, 2007 1:45 PM

A few years ago, the wildly popular parade prompted police to literally block entry to Fair Haven, prohibiting people who lived there from getting home. "It was an intense response," recalled Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. Tuesday. "The thing back then was, after the parade," to get in cars and ride around in caravans through the city.

Locking down Fair Haven "wasn't the best" policing strategy, DeStefano said. How will he prevent a similar situation this year? "We'll work a lot better with the community to chill down on the caravans," the mayor said

Posted by: MARYROSARIO | June 4, 2007 2:00 PM

this was a great display of the many different cultures and many other parades we have had that makes the city of new haven a great diverse city.

Posted by: charlie | June 4, 2007 3:15 PM

Next time this happens in New Haven (it's a once every 3 year thing, I think), the driving around and horn blowing should be ticketed with a $800 fine, and other traffic violations (e.g., speeding) should be heavily ticketed as well. Otherwise the event is great -- it's really the driving that makes it seem very "low-class" to the average person.

Posted by: FairHavenRes | June 4, 2007 4:19 PM

If someone asked me, I would say under no circumstances should New Haven host the Puerto Rican parade anymore.

What I saw in Fair Haven was truly low low class. Driving like maniacs, hooting, hanging out of car windows, burning rubber, and beeping horns until 3AM, is NOT A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE.

The huge crowds of screaming people terrorized some of the older residents and newer residents. They blocked traffic and made you fearful that someone at any moment would snap and there would be mayhem. The Puerto Rican community should be ashamed of itself for such a display.

The parade and the weekend was an excuse for inappropiate and inconsiderate behavior. If the children can't behave, take away the priviledge. NO MORE PUERTO RICAN PARADE IN NEW HAVEN.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | June 4, 2007 4:35 PM

They did lock down fair haven we could not get in!! I get a kick out of it personally. What fun they have. I wish we were all that free with life on a day of celabration.

Judge not thy neighbor

I bet they wonder why other people do not let loose and celebrate the way they do.

Posted by: JBZ | June 4, 2007 8:47 PM

"You dont see anything close to the level of degradation at the freddie fixer... event. You don't see people hanging out there car windows siting on car roofs or beeping there car horns non-stop."

Thanks for the chuckle.
The Freddy Fixer I know involves motorcycle gangs, heavy drinking, blaring music, cruising, people walking in front of cars without a thought on busy streets, impassable traffic, gang members eyeing each other, and partying late into the night. But you're right, I didn't notice a lot of honking.

Posted by: MARYROSARIO | June 4, 2007 10:31 PM

nicely said cedar.people should celebrate life with that spirit and enjoy who they are and stop being so negative.my daughters went and had a great time and they have a positive look on life and just enjoyed their time together.i think our kids look at it in a better light then we do.

Posted by: baile27 | June 5, 2007 11:55 AM

I look forward to our city hosting the Puerto Rican Parade. My children are biracial and it provides a chance for them to see people like them "celebrating life and spirit". They take time to don their jerseys emblazoned with the coqui and colors of the flag. They listen to salsa, meringue, and bachata as they eat the foods they are fond of eating with memories of their grandparents who are now deceased. Respect other cultures and let them have their fun while displaying pride for their island. Noone was hurt and many children went to bed with great memories of yet another celebration of themselves.

Posted by: Lydia | June 5, 2007 2:25 PM

I guess people there are comment about this event is because they don't have any knowledge about been Puerto Rican we are in the 21 century and this is a free country. I am proud to be Puerto Rican and look forward to this parade. My family enjoy it too especially my grandson enjoy the parade very much

Posted by: Resident | June 5, 2007 2:29 PM

To JBZ,
Im not saying the freddie fixer isent bad but this was so much worse. At least the fixer parade was 1 day and over with in a few hours. This mess was all weekend and all day both days.

Posted by: Student | June 5, 2007 4:07 PM

"Resident" obviously has no idea what he or she is talking about. Comparing it to the Irish Celebration and saying that the Puerto Rican parade was low-class in comparison is ridiculous. The drinking (especiallly of very young teenagers), the fights, and the unruliness at the Irish celebration far exceeds that at the PR parade yet most Latinos chsoe to respect their celebration instead of attacking it. It just goes to show that bigotry and prejudice still lives in the minds of some people. It's quite sad and out of place in a progressive city like New Haven. Get a clue "Resident"

Posted by: freddie fixer | June 6, 2007 10:35 AM

The PR, Saint Patricks, Freddie Fixer and any other cultural event is great for the city. Stop bad mouthing events like these. You should commend the parade organizers for doing a great job in keeping these traditions going. I'm the president of the Freddie Fixer and I supported the PR parade. It was nice to see and hang out on Grand Ave. I had a great time Saturday night and a awesome time on Sunday. It was nice to see the Latino community celebrate their culture. Honking, motorcycle revving and cheering is what they do. expect it! More power to them. Larry T. Young. Freddie Fixer Parade President.

Posted by: H | June 6, 2007 10:45 AM

We recently moved to New Haven (specifically Fair Haven) from another state and have been appalled at the actions of many (but not all) of our neighbors. They drive cars with modified exhaust systems that are so loud they set off the car alarm of each car along the street they traverse. They have booming steroes that you can feel from many blocks away. They pull up to a house and honk the horn rather than getting out of the car to ring the bell. This happens all hours of the day and night. And the fights, oh the fights. There was only one neighbor, ONE, that said hello to us when we first moved to the neighborhood. Everyone else just sullenly stares when they see us.The first number I memorized when moving to New Haven was the police complaint line. WTF?? There seems to be no interest in social/neighborly harmony with actions like these. I used to think that immigration and the melting pot concept of America was such a great thing until I moved to an area where many refuse to melt. Now I don't know what to think.

Posted by: C | June 6, 2007 4:07 PM

Thanks JBZ!! You took the words right out of my mouth - I don't remember too many horns honking at the Fixer, but since moving here almost 9 years ago - I refuse to take my child because of the bullets flying at the last few parades... people be real - every parade here has been attacked for one reason or another - people will express themselves as they choose - how the rest of us respond is the only thing we have control over. "Resident" obviously is having some issues with other residents here - perhaps it's time to try and figure out what you REALLY want to say about "them" - my people!!! Yes I too am a Loud and Proud Boricua (that means Puerto Rican)!!! and as for "H" uhmmmmmm welcome to New Haven luv!! this isn't the most welcoming place I've lived... after 8 1/2 years I can tell you I know 1 neighbor on my street and that's because we have children that play together! It's very sad that we all can't just get along - but this is happening alll over the city - not just in Fair Haven - I'm in Westville and I won't even touch what I feel as total racism here....

Posted by: Resident | June 6, 2007 8:22 PM

I'm not attacking any of the parades just the way that people act at them.
It looks like C is saying that acting like trash and being loud and obnoxious is just his culture and that's what I guess I'm saying sucks and should change. Maybe the city should just close all of the streets downtown during these things maybe that would help spread the noise and mess out. There is always complaining on this site about downtown only being for the rich people but when people of lesser means come down town and behave in an unacceptable way you say hay that's just our culture. I don't see how you can act like that and then expect people to embrace you the next day. Its not about race or culture its just about acting in a way that doesn't alienate and irritate everyone else around you. I think that H's example of the "modified exhaust systems" is a perfect example. They are just obnoxious for the sake of being obnoxious.

Posted by: C | June 7, 2007 12:22 PM

Resident - let me clarify for you exactly what I was saying - I certainly don't want a racist such as yourself getting confused or putting words in my mouth - first - I'm a "she" ... and in no way was I saying "acting like trash and being loud and obnoxious is just his culture"!!! - that is your opinion - which you're entitled to, but one I not only agree with, but will try to ignore... what I was pointing out was the ridiculousness of your comparisons with other functions/parades in New Haven and stating this is the only example of "Pride" that you see and can now judge an entire group of people by - bottom line is I was making clear you are no one to judge - your hateful words and descriptions of "them" are degrading and unnecessary. "People of lesser means" hmmmmmm - now there's a friendly non-racist invite if I've ever seen one!!! Get a life RESIDENT - preferably a non-racist one, that allows you to embrace YOURSELF, because none of US are looking to be "EMBRACED" by folks like you -

Posted by: C | June 7, 2007 3:57 PM

sorry - just need EDIT my last comment - I DO NOT agree with "acting like trash and being loud and obnoxious is just his culture"!!! - wouldn't want you to think I did agree...

Posted by: adrain hart | June 8, 2007 11:21 AM

OK FIRST OF ALL ...ALL U PEOPLE TALKIN BOUT THAT THE PR PARADE SHOULD BE BANNED FROM NEW HAVEN U ALL R A BUNCH OF HATAZ...THIS WAS A DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR OUR HERITAGE AND WE HAD MEGA FUN SATNIGHT @ THE FESTIVAL AND SUNDAY FOR THE PARADE..ME AND EVERYONE I KNEW WAS OUT THERE HAVING A GREAT TIME AND THIS THE TIME IN THE YEAR WHERE WE HAD A CHANCE TO SHINE...IF YALL DONT LIKE IT THEN TOUGH CAUSE WE AINT GOING NO WHERE...PUERTORICANS ARE GONNA B GOING STRONG FOR YEARS TO COME!!!!

Posted by: nyc | June 25, 2007 4:52 PM

All this talk about "racism" and so forth really masks the issue...behavior such as that which occurs at the pr parade (and the irish, too, even in dublin itself every year it's a mess) is what creates that so-called "racism"...you people that want to blame other people for racist perceptions ought to look at your own behavior and ask whether you are creating that impression yourselves. I live in NYC and, truth to tell, some decaying neighborhoods here have been turned around by an influx of newcomers, while some nice neighborhoods have been ruined by other kinds of people. The truth is that some people come from cultures and societies that are not very healthy or civilized, then they come here and try to recreate that kind of environment. Well excuse me but some people don't appreciate mindlessness, okay? It isn't just about race, because I have always disliked frat parties at all-white colleges...but some cultures don't have a respect for peace and quiet and proper decorum whereas other do, even if you still have individuals of that cultural heritage who may go against that norm.