Organizers of the Second Annual Vincy Unity Picnic at Heckscher State Park on Long Island, NY — though marred by a brief scufle near the end of the event, “was sucfessful.”
A few minutes before he incident, one national who attended the picnic for the very first time, told Caribbean Life that, apart from the “disruption”, the “gathering of Vincy people is something we should be proud of,” he said. “Vincy Day itself is a great idea,” he added.
“This picnic, clearly, depicted unity,” added the coordinator of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation in the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. “However, it is imperative that we encourage policies that ensure the conduct of our citizens is at stake.”
Chairman of the Vincy Unity Picnic Committee of New York, Consul General Selmon Walters, vowed to clamp down on trouble makers at future unity picnics.
“It wouldn’t happen again,” said Walters, referring to the “disturbance.” “Some guys, when they drink, can’t control themselves. We have to tighten security.
“We’ll do something better next year,” he added. “Those who don’t follow the rules will be expelled.”
Walters agreed that the incident marred an otherwise “very wonderful” event, adding that it was a “resounding success.”
He estimated the gathering to be in the region of 7,000, coming from throughout the United States, Canada and even home.