Authorities abruptly shut down the Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan on Sunday when a massive, unruly crowd swarmed the Midtown route and a teen slashed a 65-year-old man across the face, law enforcement sources said.
The 42-year-old parade — which draws a half-million spectators and features 113 organizations, including community groups, carnival bands and government officials — was supposed to continue along Sixth Avenue until West 59th Street, the entrance to Central Park.
Cops move in as spectators overflow onto the path of the parade during the National Dominican Day Parade. James Keivom
Cops shut down the parade even before it reached Central Park. James Keivom
Spectators began jumping police barricades, especially when rappers rolled by on floats. James KeivomBut the crowd grew more and more boisterous — especially when several rappers on floats rolled through — and spectators started jumping the barricades around 46th Street.
The NYPD scrambled to restore order, standing the barricades back up, holding the floats in place and making one arrest, sources said.
A 19-year-old man was busted around 3:45 p.m. in front of 266 W. 45th St. for cutting a 65-year-old man on the face and hand during a dispute as cops dispersed the crowd, sources said. The victim was taken to the hospital in stable condition. A knife was recovered at the scene, sources said.
The parade draws about a half-million people every year. James Keivom
The celebration was in its 42nd year. James Keivom
Revelers walk by Radio City Music Hall holding Dominican flags. James KeivomCops diverted the parade off Sixth Avenue and onto 52nd Street — including several floats that were barred from finishing the route.
“We’re shutting it down — at this point, it’s gotten out of hand,” a police source told The Post.
Out-of-control revelers led authorities to shut the parade down early, cops said. James Keivom
A New York City corrections officer enjoys the event, too. James KeivomSome revelers were upset at the late changes.
“I don’t really understand why they shut it down, we were just having fun,” said Cynthia Lopez, a 17-year-old who has been coming to the parade since she was a little girl.
“No one was hurt. No one was fighting. We were all having fun, dancing and boom — shut down.”
“I can’t believe it,” she said.
