Sunset Park Unity Festival Planned 'in Response to the Presidential Election'

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — In response to concerns stemming from Donald Trump's election as president, Sunset Park will host a Unity March and Solidarity Festival this Sunday, Nov. 20. The events are co-sponsored by Councilman Carlos Menchaca, who represents the neighborhood, and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

The Unity March will start at noon at 5th Avenue and 44th Street, and will stretch to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 5th Avenue and 60th Street.

Then, starting at 1 p.m., the Solidarity Festival will kick off at the Church. It will include a free soccer tournament inside the basilica's gymnasium, courtesy of Street Soccer USA, as well as a "folkloric and community dance festival," food vendors and information tables run by community-based organizations.

At a meeting of Community Board 7 on Wednesday night, Menchaca pledged that "we are going to protect everyone in our communities," in reference to Trump's claims that he will initiate the deportation of millions of undocumented residents. "We are going to be fierce."

The councilman said the city "will be continually updating the community" on immigration-related developments, adding that local lawmakers won't let the Trump administration use programs like IDNYC to locate those without documentation.

Menchaca admitted, however, that he was "extremely concerned" about Trump's suggestion that the federal government could deny funding to so-called "sanctuary cities" like New York.

The community "needs to come out now and speak in a unified voice that federal funding is our lifeline to our residents," he said.

Flyer at top courtesy of Councilman Carlos Menchaca