Three Haitian Bands Barred From NYC Labor Day Carnival; Managers Call Reasons 'Bogus'

NEW YORK — Organizers of New York's Labor Day carnival barred three Haitian bands — T-Vice, TonyMix and SakPase Nation — from Eastern Parkway, citing violations of safety and costume rules, according to The Haitian Times. Cecille Ford, board secretary and chair of mas for the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), said the bands failed to comply with limits on the number of people on their trucks, calling it a security issue, and did not meet costume requirements. "I had told them last year the rules were going to be enforced. They [took] it as a joke," Ford said, adding the parade is a costumed portrayal of Caribbean culture. Ford said five Haitian groups — Ram, Lespri Ayiti/Team Madada, RockFam, KG and Lamar — were approved for the 59th annual parade, which draws more than 1 million revelers along a 2-mile route. TonyMix manager Johnny Joseph rejected the reasons, saying he was not notified of the suspension until August and that fans jumped onto his float despite hired security. He said the ban hurts Haitian vendors, many affected by revoked TPS status. James "007" Francois, CEO of SakPase Nation, also called the suspensions "bogus," alleging a "personal vendetta against Haitians and Jamaicans" ahead of the association's 60th anniversary.