BUFFALO, N.Y. — After Hurricane Ernesto was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane in Puerto Rico, many people on the island are still recovering. Community members in Buffalo came together Saturday to show unity and celebrate their Latino heritage at the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of Western New York.

“Unidad en la comunidad,” said Charles Torres, president of the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of Western New York. “When people come down to see and witness what we’re doing, they’ll see a united community and a welcoming community.”

It's a theme that means even more after Ernesto hit Puerto Rico, leaving thousands without power. 

What You Need To Know

  • After Hurricane Ernesto was upgraded to a category 2 in Puerto Rico, many people on the island are still recovering

  • Community members in Buffalo came together to show unity and celebrate their Latino heritage at the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of Western New York

  • The parade is the second largest Puerto Rican parade in New York state, outside of New York City

“We have Puerto Rico in our hearts in regards to what’s going on on the island with the water flooding and everything else, but at the same time here it's so important because Latinos have to come together because… separate, they divide us, together, they can’t divide us and we can become a voice,” said Louis Rodriguez Sr., the 22nd grand marshal of the parade.

The parade brought together Latinos from different backgrounds to celebrate and honor their culture, together.

“Today is an opportunity for them to be heard and seen and for them to celebrate their Latino-ness,” said Sallie Manzanet-Daniels, an associate justice of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division First Judicial Department.

“It’s important to keep the heritage. It’s important to keep what the people are all about, keeping the spirit and keeping knowing where you came from,” said Louis Rodriguez Jr., owner of the Rodriguez Construction Group. 

While Ernesto was a reminder of the devastation of Hurricane Maria, it is also a reminder of the strength in community.

“What we’ve found in the hurricanes since, there’s been spotty needs. When they’ve called for assistance we’ve been able to help provide some,” said Torres. “It brings that sensitivity back and it’s important to know that we are supportive of each other and we’ll stand as one.”

And what it means to come together, no matter where you come from.

“The identity of the background that you’re Latino, that you’re Hispanic, you come together as one,” said Rodriguez Sr.

“We embrace each other because it’s important that we do that. We can’t isolate ourselves into ‘I’m Puerto Rican, I’m Cuban, I’m Dominican,’” said Manzanet-Daniels. “We are all one familia.”