‘Last Lap Jam’ to Replace Cancelled Trinidad Independence Parade in New York

NEW YORK, New York – Trinidadians in New York will get their chance to celebrate Independence Day together on Saturday, nearly two weeks after the city’s inaugural Independence Parade was cancelled over safety concerns.

Soca artiste Anslem Douglas is among the performers for the Last Lap Jam.The parade, which had been scheduled for August 30 in Brooklyn, was cancelled by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) citing concerns about the proposed route and traffic management.

Organiser Tiffany LaPierre told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Friday that the celebrations will instead take the form of a “Last Lap Jam” at Resorts World New York City.

“I feel amazing!” exclaimed LaPierre, daughter of organiser Juju and a Brooklyn resident. “We were disappointed that the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day Parade was cancelled, and Resorts World gives us the opportunity to celebrate our Independence Day in style in a safe and exclusive location.

“It is important for us,” she added. “This is the last lap. We want everyone to come out with positive energy.

“We want all Caribbean people to come out and celebrate with us,” LaPierre continued. “We’d like them to experience Trinidad and Tobago culture.”

The event, scheduled from noon to 7:00 p.m., will feature several Trinidadian soca artistes, including Denise Belfon, Anselm Douglas and Natasha Wilson.

LaPierre said Moko Jumbies, Ole Mas performers and steel orchestras from New York City will also be part of the celebrations.

DJs including Blingers, Young Chow and Mad Man Maddy will provide the soca vibes, while Wassy and Executive will serve as Masters of Ceremonies.

The event gives the Trinidadian community an opportunity to mark the country’s Independence Day despite the cancellation of the planned parade.

After the Independence Day parade was cancelled, Pastor Louis Straker, Jr., the lead pastor of Reflections Church on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, said that, as “a proud citizen of Trinidad and Tobago”, he found himself “torn” by the decision.

Pastor Straker, the son of a Trinidadian mother and Sir Louis Straker, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told CMC that he was “torn” not because he believes the parade should have been permitted under the circumstances.