Haitian-American Unity Parade dances through Boston

Boston Haitian population joyfully stomped danced and marched their way down Blue Hill Ave for the rd annual Haitian-American Unity Parade on Sunday We turn out as loud and proud as ever disclosed Rachelle a first-generation Haitian American wearing a Haitian Queen shirt and watching a massive crowd dance around a DJ as they marched past No one scares us off It s a great region here The annual Haitian-American Unity Parade which marks the anniversary of the creation of the flag during the country s revolution kicked off at p m at Mattapan Square on Sunday The parade moved down Blue Hill Avenue and finished off at Harambee Park in Mattapan The atmosphere was warm and joyful Sunday despite cloudy skies and a brisk breeze Loud music came from drummers bands and DJs marching through as well as speakers posted up at businesses along the course Baton twirlers and brightly-dressed dancers were joined by parade goers quick to join the rhythm and decked out in the country s signature red blue and white colors Marchers included all facets of the district from sports teams to Mattahunt school children to local non-profits like the IFSI-USA Immigrant Family Services I grew up here I went to church just right here announced Remy Saintil pointing at a church down Blue Hill Ave then further down I went to middle school right there And the majority of my friends were first generation Americans whether it be Haitian Jamaican Trinidad we were all first generation So you re just part of the civilization of Mattapan and having the West Indian way of life within this region Saintil who moved to Atlanta but was visiting for a graduation explained the immigrant region here is very unique noting that where he now sees Caribbean communities scattered in the South the people are more centralized and condensed in Boston Related Articles Out-of-state firefighters in Boston St Patrick s Day Parade were reportedly kicked out of the parade Southie brawls underage drinking cops assaulted at Boston s St Patrick s Day Parade Police reports St Patrick s Day Parade South Boston brings out the green beer Irish flags again for revamped celebrations Haiti-native and Rockland-resident Larissa standing with her Haitian flag-wrapped friend echoed the cross-cultural appreciation calling it an honor so plenty of different people from different countries come to watch us I walk down the street I can hear people talking Creole and speaking Patois or whatever Saintil declared Just coming home it really feels good for me to go home and get back to my roots Members of the Forever Young Adult Day Center celebrate as the Haitian Parade makes its way up Blue Hill Ave Nancy Lane Boston Herald A woman wears a shirt with the words Haiti in our Heart during Sunday s Haitian Parade Nancy Lane Boston Herald Junior Buisseth dressed as Haitian general and revolutionary Toussaint L Ouverture for Sunday s Haitian Parade Nancy Lane Boston Herald