A Dominican Republic Day parade in Manhattan was abruptly halted on Sunday after a large, disorderly crowd swarmed the route in Midtown and a teenager slashed a 65-year-old man in the face, law enforcement sources said.
The 42-year-old parade was expected to attract 500,000 spectators and feature 113 organizations, including community groups, carnival bands and government officials, stretching along 6th Avenue to West 59th.Number The street that is the entrance to Central Park.
But the crowd grew increasingly rowdy, especially as several rappers rode around on floats, and spectators began jumping over the barricades around 46th Street.Number street.
New York Police Department officers rushed to restore order, re-erecting barricades, keeping floats in place and making one arrest, officials said.
A 19-year-old man was arrested around 3:45 p.m. in front of 266 W. 45th St. after he allegedly slashed a 65-year-old man in the face and hand during an altercation while officers were dispersing the crowd, sources said. The victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition. A knife was recovered at the scene, sources said.
Police diverted the parade from Sixth Avenue to 52nd Street, including some floats that were unable to complete the route.
“We’re shutting it down. It’s gotten out of hand at this point,” a police source told The Post.
Some attendees were outraged by the last-minute changes.
“I have no idea why it was canceled. We were just having fun,” said Cynthia Lopez, 17, who has been coming to the parade since she was a child.
“Nobody was hurt. Nobody was fighting. Everybody was having fun and dancing and then all of a sudden, the power went out.”
“I can’t believe it,” she said.
