Caribbean Pride Rings Throughout Brooklyn

West Indian Day Parade 2023

SEPTEMBER 4 -- Dedicated organizing brought a record turnout of transit workers to the massive West Indian American Day Carnival on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Kicking things off, Grand Marshal and TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis was honored by parade organizers at a dignitaries' breakfast before the event got underway. Then, Davis cut the ceremonial ribbon with NYS Governor Kathy Hochul and other Marshals to begin the festivities. Food in abundance was provided by two West Indian caterers at Local 100's mass camp at Bedford Avenue and Eastern Parkway.

Fully 1,200 union members were served throughout the day, and all 500 t-shirts custom made for the event were snapped up. Many shirts were customized by members who cut trailing ribbons into the fabric and wore them proudly throughout the day. Hundreds of members sported flags representing their Caribbean nation of origin -- Guyana, in the case of President Davis. CED VP Shirley Martin proudly represented her Jamaican homeland. Two young girls wrapped themselves in the flag of Trinidad & Tobago. All these and more are in the photos which you can see on the Union's flickr site here.