Trinidadians and Tobagonians celebrate the 64th Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day.

Sunday, August 30, 2026. Occupied Manahatta, Lenapehoking (Manhattan, New York City). – The rally and march to celebrate the 64th Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day in Brooklyn, New York City, was on August 30, 2026.

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Trinidad and Tobago celebrates its 64th Independence Day on Monday, August 31, 2026, marking the anniversary of its independence from Britain on August 31, 1962.

Happy 64th Independence Day Trinidad and Tobago!

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New York City Mayor, Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner, zionist Jessica Tisch did not approve the permit for the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day Parade, but they approved the permit for a pro-genocide, zionist parade.

The government of New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani denied the organizers’ permit application for the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day Parade citing traffic and staffing concerns. The pro-genocide, zionist, Israel parade on 5th Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday, May 31, 2026, was from 62nd Street to 74th Street, though formation and assembly areas extend further south (such as around 52nd Street). There were thousands of barricades and hundreds or thousands of NYPD officers protecting zionists supporters of the apartheid, terrorist, zionist, fascist, genocidal state of Israel that is stealing land in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon and its committing genocide and ethnic cleansing in Palestine and Lebanon.

NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYPD Commissioner, zionist Jessica Tisch did not want people from Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate their Independence?

The New York City government, led by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani—a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)—may cancel the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day parade, but they CANNOT cancel Trinidad and Tobago culture.

Trinidadians and Tobagonians and their allies gathered at the corner of Church Avenue and Flatbush Ave Flatbush. After the rally, they marched to Prospect Park.

Peaceful protesters marched on the sidewalk on Flatbush Avenue but decided to take to the roadway and marched in the street from Parkside Avenue to Prospect Park. As the chant goes: “Whose streets? Our streets!”

People on the streets showed their support for those who were marching.

Several businesses on Flatbush Avenue had the Trinidad and Tobago flag.

Protesters said: “Who keep us safe? We keep us safe! The community keep us safe!” The chant reflects a belief that marginalized communities, workers, and protesters must look out for and defend one another rather than depending on NYPD officers who often harass, attack, arrest peaceful protestors and journalists. People use this chant during rallies, marches, protests for racial justice, labor rights, migrants, Palestine, etc.

During the rally, there were perhaps more NYPD officers and NYPD vehicles than protesters. There may have been one or more undercover NYPD officers present.

Dimez Cartier was the organizer of the rally and march to celebrate the 64th Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day.

Trinidadians and Tobagonians had a picnic in Prospect Park to celebrate Trinidad and Tobago 64th Independence Day.

The picnic was organized by J’Ouvert International for Arts and Culture and featured steelpan performances, food, music and family activities under the theme “Our Culture. Our People. Our Freedom.”

Harmony Music Makers, a dedicated Brooklyn-based steelpan and cultural music group was at the picnic in Prospect Park. People were dancing and enjoying the celebration of the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago.

The events came weeks after Flatbush, Brooklyn hosted its first Jamaican Day Parade in the same area.

Brooklyn is home to a large Caribbean diaspora. Brooklyn’s primary Caribbean cultural hub is Little Caribbean, a vibrant district in central Brooklyn encompassing Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and East Flatbush. This area is home to the largest and most diverse Caribbean diaspora outside of the Caribbean, featuring large Jamaican, Haitian, and Trinidadian communities. Little Haiti is a vibrant cultural and commercial district located in the Flatbush and East Flatbush sections of Brooklyn. There are restaurants from different Caribbean countries that sell delicious food.

Reminder: People do NOT need a government permit to hold a rally, march, press conference, protest on the sidewalk and other public places, provided that space is left for pedestrians.

“Protests/Demonstrations Without a Permit: Non-permitted demonstrations are an essential part of protest,” says the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) on its website.

The NYCLU adds, “You do not need a permit to:
Hold signs or distribute flyers or leaflets on a public sidewalk or in a public park.
Hold a demonstration, rally, or press conference on a public sidewalk, where foot traffic is not substantially impeded.
March on a public sidewalk without amplified sound.
Film protest or police activity if you maintain enough distance not to interfere with police activity. Police officers may not delete data under any circumstances and may not take or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant.”

Click here to read about “Your Rights to Organizing Demonstrations in NYC” and Click here to read about “Your Rights to Protesting in New York.”

More information soon.

SOME CARIBBEAN EVENTS IN NEW YORK CITY

J’Ouvert 2026

Monday, September 7, 2026. Roughly 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Near Prospect Park. Crown Heights. Centered around Grand Army Plaza, Flatbush Avenue, Empire Boulevard and Nostrand Avenue.
Brooklyn, New York City.
There will be NYPD checkpoints.

Brooklyn’s traditional early-morning J’Ouvert (meaning “daybreak”) celebration takes place on Monday, September 7, 2026, starting in the pre-dawn hours ahead of the 59th New York Carnival Parade. There will be steel pan bands, traditional rhythm sections, and revelers dancing in the streets before dawn to mark the start of carnival day.

It is an area militarized by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Attendees must enter through designated NYPD checkpoints to access the pre-dawn route. NYPD officers use handheld metal-detector wands and conduct bag inspections at all entry gates. The NYPD deploys a heavy officer presence alongside light towers, fixed/temporary cameras, and drone surveillance teams to monitor the area.

Junior Carnival Parade

Saturday, September 5, 2026. 9 AM.
Meet at St. John’s Place and Kingston Avenue.
Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City.

The Junior Carnival Parade in Brooklyn has been running for over 50 years as part of the annual Carnival events managed by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA).

“Join us as we celebrate the rich heritage, vibrant traditions, and enduring spirit of Caribbean culture through the eyes of the next generation. Represent your island with pride and experience a day filled with: Youth Costume Parade + Caribbean Music & Dance Performances + Island Pride Celebrations + Family-Friendly Cultural Activities. This exciting cultural showcase brings together young people and families from across the Caribbean community to honor our shared legacy while inspiring future generations to embrace and celebrate their roots,” says WIADCA on its website wiadcacarnival.org.

59th New York Carnival Parade

Monday, September 7, 2026. 11 AM to 6 PM.
Eastern Parkway (from Utica Ave to Grand Army Plaza / Brooklyn Museum).
Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City.

The 59th New York Carnival Parade (before known as Annual West Indian American Day Carnival Parade, Labor Day Caribbean Parade) will take place on Monday, September 7, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM. The massive celebration runs along Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. There will be floats playing high-energy soca, reggae, and dancehall alongside thousands of participants in feather-covered masquerade costumes. Food vendors will sell Caribbean-style food options—including jerk chicken, curry, and traditional Caribbean patties—lining the parade route. More information on wiadcacarnival.org.

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Updated on September 1, 2026.