Boricuas Take Manhattan

JUNE 8 -- More than 600 union members and families celebrated being part of the City’s largest Puerto Rican Parade on Sunday, June 8th, as we took over 45th Street with a float featuring a live band and a DJ, a City bus, and marchers galore.

First came the food – generous portions of pernil, baked chicken, plantains, and other treats for hundreds of transit workers. Ready to serenade the union family was TA Surface Chair for Operators Gary Rosario and his orchestra, ten members strong, featuring a full horn section, violin, guitar, and flute, and Gary on percussion.

Both President John V. Chiarello and Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Bernabel addressed the crowd, with Chiarello saying, "God bless this Union,and our heritage, because today everyone's Puerto Rican."

By the time the parade rolled out at 1PM, we were ready to march. Led by the Local 100 Honor Guard, we took over Fifth Avenue, taking all five lanes to shouts of appreciation from the crowd which was 7-deep behind the police lines. President Chiarello, side by side with Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Bernabel and Political Action Director Sharase DeBouse led our contingent.

The blocks went by quickly, as DJ Ominaya took over the sound system on our massive float with members and family waving from the truck and revving up spectators. Cheers greeted the marchers as we passed St. Patrick’s Cathedral and continued up the avenue with  Central Park on our left, then to the reviewing stand set up at 70th Street, then on to 79th Street where, after 34 blocks, we fell out of formation.

Just click below to see or download all of the photos!

Puerto Rican Day Parade 2025