By Rachel Holliday Smith – DNA Info
Before this year’s celebration of J’Ouvert, police and community leaders are sending a message to residents: violence will not be tolerated.
In a flier posted in Crown Heights and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens Thursday, the NYPD, Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, organizers of the official J’Ouvert parade and several anti-violence groups put their message bluntly: “Do not shoot anyone. Do not stab anyone,” the poster reads.
“J’Ouvert is a celebration of Caribbean pride, culture and heritage,” it said before a reminder that last year “two people were killed during J’Ouvert” — a 21-year-old man who was stabbed at Grand Army Plaza and 43-year-old Carey Gabay, an attorney for the Cuomo administration who was shot in front of the Ebbets Field apartments on Bedford Avenue, a crime for which at least three gang members have been indicted.
“This community will no longer tolerate this violence,” the poster reads in large block letters.
Residents reacted strongly to the poster, taking to a closed Facebook neighborhood group to discuss how the message reflected on J’Ouvert, a festive event that nevertheless has been marred by violence that occurs near the celebration.
“This notice which I witnessed NYPD posting all over is one of the most disgusting, racist, condescending and rude public announcements I have ever heard of,” wrote Anton Gold, a longtime area resident who has celebrated J’Ouvert for years.
“Why are they lumping hundreds of thousands of peaceful J’Ouvert celebrants with gang bangers from Ebbets Field? It’s completely outrageous and the opposite of what the NYPD says they are trying to do,” he added.
“I think this flyer is misleading,” said Prospect-Lefferts Gardens resident Seth Kaplan. “The murder of Carey Gabay was gang-related and unrelated to J’Ouvert. The language and choice of words is insulting.”
In recent months, police have increased security measures leading up to the event, including permitting the official J’Ouvert parade and planning to double the amount of officers policing the pre-dawn celebration.
Not all of those who commented on the poster had a problem with it. In fact some cheered the attempt to reduce violence.
One commenter said he took the sign as a “polite message” that there will be zero tolerance for violence from the authorities during the event.
“What’s the issue?” he asked the group.
J’Ouvert is set to take place on the morning of Sept. 5; the official J’Ouvert parade kicks off at Grand Army Plaza at 4 a.m.
Black votes matter…
the fact that they have to say that… you don’t see those signs by our parades!
If this are the views of NYPD, host the event in another area where you’re not judged and your revenue is welcomed.
TRUTH B TOLD ALL LIVE’S MATTER NO MATTER WHAT COLOR U ARE!!! WE BLEED THE SAME COLOR BLOOD *RED* NO MATTER WHAT IN GOD EYES WE ARE ALL THE SAME. ( EVEN TO YOU PEOPLE THAT HAVE A DIFFERENT GOD YOU BELIEVE IN,IN YOUR GOD EYES Y’ALL ALL ARE THE SAME COLOR). You know what separates people is the MONEY,SOME PEOPLE HAVE MORE NICER THINGS THAN OTHER’S, SOME PEOPLE LIVE BETTER THAN OTHER’S, AND ETC. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE WE ALL ARE THE SAME. EVEN IF SOME HAVE MORE THAN OTHER’S…..… Read more »
Attendee: What’s all that commotion the day before Labor Day?
Commanding Officer: That’s J’Ouvert (pronounced jou-vay).
Attendee: I don’t care WHOSE day it is!
It’s black lies matter!!! and don’t forget to leave your guns and knives at home before the parade starts , so you won’t shoot or stab anyone. Wow, this would never happen 25 years ago!!!!!!!!!
Human Lives Matter
I will lay down my gun
Chabad lives matter
Black Lives Matter
jouvert always is marred by violence
so please dont say that it isnt
even though most people may not want the violence, the violence still occurs DURING JOUVERT
Is that sign supposed to influence on those who are murderers?
Now they won’t misbehave
#1 Yes…a phony society. All talk and no action.
Stagnant America.
Don’t forget America is a Xristian society. Folks…you’re living ‘in the future!’ This is the best society.’The Xrisitans are ‘The Crown!’ Things are great here!
“Do not shoot anyone. Do not stab anyone,” And you all can rest assured that our government won’t institute very tough laws against crime. Either here or Chicago, etc.
Why? “WE DON’T REALLY GIVE A DAM!”
Our reasons:
A. We need more arrests
B. Provides work & employment for thousands, like police, clerks, etc.
C. Coroners & grave diggers are suffering a work slowdown. (Have pity on them and their families…please! Thanks!)
D. Construction & maintenance of new prisons & jails
E. Judges, prosecutors, baliffs, etc. need work.
F. Etc. etc to the tune of $1.7 trillion dollars (Look online).
Hope it not racist to point out that during our parades the police don’t put up these kind of signs
“Do not stab anyone.”
Thanks for the reminder, NYPD. I’ll try to remember to leave my knives at home.