Happy Labor Day to all!

For those of us of Caribbean descent, Labor Day weekend plays an integral role in our experience as residents of Brooklyn. It serves as a reminder of our heritage, culture, and pride as Caribbean people. This weekend reminds us that summer is coming to a close it also usually ushers in a weekend of festivities highlighting and celebrating Caribbean culture in New York. The pinnacle of which is the West Indian American Day Carnival Association's Labor Day Parade.

Each year people from all over the world flood onto Eastern Parkway to celebrate Labor Day and our culture and pride as Caribbean people. Regrettably, this year, the community could not observe like it traditionally would because of our need to be responsible and safe amid this public health crisis. It is in that vein that I encourage you to be safe this Labor Day.

Labor Day has always been a day that not only brought us the latest soca, reggae, and dance hall tunes from our home countries, but each year it has been a day that has brought us closer together as a community. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an immense toll on many of our families. It has also shown us how resilient we are and why we must continue to stand together. Let's make today a celebration of that resilience and ensure we have fun while keeping each other safe.

Always remember that in unity, there is strength.

Warm regards, 

Hon. Diana C. Richardson

Member of the NYS Assembly

43rd District, Kings County