Unwelcome in South Side, Latino parade headed back downtown
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share thisBY JEREMY G. BURTON
When Scranton's growing Latino community marches next month in its fourth annual heritage parade, it won't be in South Side.
The Aug. 16 event has been planned to return downtown, where organizers and city officials said it's a better fit. The celebration on Pittston Avenue last year drew the ire of residents who said it was too disruptive and too rowdy for a neighborhood setting.
Complaints included drunken loitering and cars spinning their wheels and roaring up the street.
Among the critics was Councilwoman Judy Gatelli, who said she wouldn't allow the parade in South Side again. Mayor Chris Doherty delivered a similar message.
For a time, organizer Pedro Gonzalez insisted the event remain in South Side, where there is a significant Latino population. But Mr. Gonzalez now says moving the parade from downtown, where it originated, was "a mistake."
"The community deserves better than that," he said.
William Torres, another organizer, said the furor took on a life of its own.
"It was overblown, but what can you do?" he said. "You face it, discuss it and then you move on."
It didn't take any prodding to decide the parade should be relocated, Mr. Gonzalez said. Wayne Evans, president of the South Side Residents Association, called it a "foregone conclusion."
"The bottom line is any parade like that is more appropriate downtown," he said.
Mr. Gonzalez said in recent years the Latino community often hasn't felt as welcome downtown, but it's time that changed. Keeping to a small section of a neighborhood only stifles the community's progress and integration, he said.
A festival Aug. 15 at Nay Aug Park will precede the parade. Having the parade downtown recognizes the citywide Latino community has grown beyond just South Side, Mr. Gonzalez said.
Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Torres, both of Puerto Rican heritage, said they look forward to the celebration as a way to bring together the city's diverse Latino community, which now includes more than 20 nationalities.
"What I love about Latin Pride Weekend is exactly that," Mr. Gonzalez said.
Contact the writer: jburton@timesshamrock.com
60 posted comments
Rome Jerome, 07/06/09 - 7:24AM
_________________________________________Yeah, At least! It would be truly disgusting if law-abiding, tax-paying citizens took to the streets to demand their rights to love openly, wouldn't it? Gay people are just as good, or as bad, as straight people!