You're invited to join the Phagwah Social Justice Collective in the 2019 Phagwah Parade Holi Celebration!

You're invited to march with the Phagwah Social Justice Collective in the 2019 Phagwah Parade Holi Celebration!

On Sunday, March 31, 2019, the Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), will proudly participate in the 31st Annual Phagwah Parade in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. In 2016, CEP made history as the first Caribbean-oriented LGBTQ organization to march and wave the rainbow flag in the 28th Annual Phagwah Parade to uplift the colorful identities and diverse LGBTQ+ Hindu population in NYC. In commemoration of International Transgender Day of Visibility, we will march in solidarity to celebrate the Caribbean Trans community and bring attention to anti-transgender violence and discrimination Trans & Gender Non-Conforming people still experience in Caribbean communities city-wide.

This historic contingent is a CEP-led initiative to raise awareness of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, sexual and gender-based violence, and housing inequality with our community partners Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women, The Shakti Mission, and Chhaya Community Development Corporation. The Phagwah Social Justice Collective aims to demonstrate further collective organizing power to advocate for an equitable society inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrant justice, ending domestic and gender-based violence, and raising awareness of housing discrimination in the Indo-Caribbean and South Asian communities in Queens. We will also be joined by the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and the NYC Commission on Human Rights.

Date & Time: Sunday, March 31 | 11:00 AM

Meeting Location: Liberty Ave & 133rd St. (in front of Sybil’s Bakery)

Parade Route: Starts at Liberty Ave & 133rd St, goes West on Liberty Ave, then North on 125th St & Ends at Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park (125th St & 95th Ave)

Holi, or 'Phagwah' throughout the Caribbean, is an ancient Hindu Spring festival also known as the Festival of Colors. It is a celebration of unity, renewal, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It signifies the coming of spring, the joy of friendship, and equality for all. The colored powders used in Holi represent love, happiness, and the freedom to live vibrantly, which are all principles shared and promoted by the CEP and our allied organizations.

This event is FREE and open to the public. All faiths, nationalities, and ethnicities are welcome to march with us and celebrate Holi in UNITY!

To learn more about the Caribbean Equality Project & for regular updates on our work, connect with us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram at @CaribbeanEqualityProject and Twitter at @CaribEquality.