Puerto Rico Parade Organizers Slam NY Daily News

This NY Daily News coverage of the annual Puerto Rican Day parade has been slammed by organizers.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 17, 2015: Organizers of the annual Puerto Rico Day Parade in New York City are set to stage a demonstration today against a popular New York newspaper over its coverage of the event, held on Sunday in New York City.

The parade is an annual tradition for New York’s large Puerto Rican community and for those who come from near and far to attend the event. It has a long history; the first parade took place in 1958 along El Barrio before its route changed to Fifth Avenue.

But the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Organization says the New York Daily News offended and insulted the Puerto Rican community by publishing the rear view image of two tong clad women with a headline titled: “Rearview on Parade” in Monday’s newspaper.

“Enough is enough! Stand up and voice your concern,” the group said yesterday. “The continuous misrepresentation, inaccurate information, and lack of dignified coverage has taken us back to the 1950s and promotes discrimination, prejudice, misogyny and hatred. This will no longer be tolerated. Let the Daily News know we are not letting them get away with this offensive depiction of the Puerto Rican community.”

Board Chair Lorraine Cortez-Vasquez has demanded a front page apology from the paper in a strongly worded letter to the News’ CEO. The group insists the two women were not part of the actual parade, which occurred on Sunday along Fifth Avenue in New York City.

A demonstration, meanwhile, is set for today, Wednesday, June 17th from 4:30 P.M. outside the New York Daily News’ office at 4 New York Plaza, New York, NY (Water Street, between Broad and Old Slip).

The New York Daily News could not be reached at press time last night for comment.

Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar award-winning actress Rita Moreno was the Grand Marshall of the Puerto Rico Day parade Sunday.