FDNY EMS Boycotts NYC Heroes Parade

Staten Island Advance, N.Y.

Confetti fell and bagpipes wailed as thousands of New York City's essential workers marched down Broadway during the Hometown Heroes Parade.

The crowd was relatively light compared to other city parades, but that didn't stop the people who were there from properly honoring those who continued to serve New York City throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Onlookers carried signs that read: "Thank you Heroes," offering rousing applause and outbursts of appreciation with each passing group.

Luke, a Grymes Hill teen who elected not to provide his last name, attended the parade Wednesday with some friends to support his father, a firefighter who continued to keep the city safe throughout the pandemic.

"I wanted to support him and all the other essential workers," Luke said. "COVID hasn't been fun for any of us, but they've still been there doing their jobs, so I think that they deserve this."

Kathryn Urso, a West Brighton resident and Curtis High School teacher, said she is proud of the work her fellow essential workers did during the pandemic, and wanted to attend the parade to show support for all the different groups in attendance, not just teachers.

"I'm proud of the work of the first responders and my colleagues, who showed up and taught every day throughout the pandemic," said Urso. "And all the hospital workers in the past year faced a lot of things that we didn't even understand at the time, but they just kept going — and I appreciate that."

As an essential worker herself, Urso said it felt good for the city to recognize the crucial roles these people played in keeping New York City afloat over the past year amid so much change.

"It's very gratifying. It's nice to know that what you do really matters and it's seen by a larger community than just your school," she said.

The parade began Wednesday morning around 11 a.m. at Battery Park, with thousands of essential workers marching down the iconic Canyon of Heroes — a stretch of Broadway that spans from Battery Place to City Hall.

"We've got a lot to appreciate, because we're well underway in our recovery. We've got a lot to celebrate, and we've got a lot of people to celebrate," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "They deserve a march down the Canyon of Heroes, because it's something that is reserved for the greatest folks in history. Well, here are some of the folks who made history in New York City's toughest hour."

Sandra Lindsay, a Queens nurse who became the first person in the United States to receive the COVID vaccine, served as the grand marshal at the parade.

"What a difference a year makes," said Lindsay. "Fifteen months ago, we were in a much different place, but thanks to the heroic efforts of so many — health-care workers, first responders, frontline workers, the people who fed us, the people who put their lives on the line, we can't thank them enough."

Fourteen floats were featured in the parade, each representing a different group of essential workers who served the city heroically throughout the pandemic. Here's a look at the groups that were represented.

• Hospitals
• Healthcare
• Emergency food
• Community care
• First responders
• Transportation
• City workers
• Small businesses and bodegas
• Education and childcare
• Utilities
• Hospitality/buildings care
• Reinforcements
• Advocacy organizations
• Communication and delivery

Originally, a post-parade ceremony was scheduled to take place at City Hall Plaza, but the event was canceled due to the ongoing heat advisory.

EMS Boycott

Some organizations, like FDNY EMS, elected to boycott Wednesday's parade, with the only members in attendance being those who were on duty at the time, according to a Daily News report.

"Our members have been without a contract for more than three years and did not receive any hazard pay during COVID," said Vincent Variale, head of the Uniformed EMS Officers Union, which represents lieutenants and captains. "This mayor continues to disrespect EMS and all frontline responders, and uses all of us for a public relations photo opportunity."

FDNY EMS officials said they hope their lack of attendance will highlight the need for better pay and a contract agreement with the de Blasio administration.

"We believe New York's brave essential workers should be recognized in a meaningful way, but the public display from the de Blasio administration is all optics and no substance," said Oren Barzilay, president of the Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors union, according to the Daily News.