New York on Wednesday held a parade honoring medical personnel who helped the city overcome the coronavirus crisis.
Nurses, doctors, paramedics, teachers, police officers, bus drivers and others riding on floats were honored Wednesday with a parade down Broadway, flanked by skyscrapers and drenched in a shower of confetti.
The parade went from Battery Park to City Hall, up Broadway and lower Manhattan. It was led by Sandra Lindsay, a health worker who was the first person in the country to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
“What a difference a year is!” Said Lindsay. “Fifteen months ago, we were in a very different place, but thanks to the heroic efforts of so many – health workers, first aid workers, the people who fed us, the people who risk their lives, we cannot thank you enough.” He said.
The essential workers parade on Wednesday was the latest in a 125-year tradition in New York. The same type of parade has previously been held to honor returning soldiers, astronauts and champion sports teams.
The previous parade in the so-called Canyon of Heroes honored the United States women’s soccer team for their victory in the 2019 World Cup.
“We have a lot to appreciate, because we are well advanced in our recovery. We have a lot to celebrate and we have a lot of people to celebrate, ”said Mayor Bill de Blasio, who paraded in one of the floats with hospital employees.
“They deserve the parade because it is something reserved for the greats of our history. Well, here are some of those who made history in New York City’s toughest hour, ”he said.
But some emergency services workers were planning to boycott the parade in a wage protest, the union said.
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