Halloween conjures up acts of ghoulish activities, gloom, dread, dark deeds, and scary situations.
For a day rooted in a period of observances on the eve of All Saints Day, a Christian tradition of an evening vigil marked its origins.
How it evolved to All Hallows’ Eve and a celebration combining ancient pagan customs, it is now the tradition for children and adults to dress up as characters of fantasy, ill repute, doom, and disaster.
The 52nd annual Village Halloween Parade in Manhattan is expected to dramatize some of those tenets by including intergenerational exhibitionists.
Slated to kick off at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, the theme “Imagine all the people” reprises a refrain from the John Lennon classic to attract puppetry, costumes, live bands, and creativity to the largest Halloween parade in the world.
Starting at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue, a procession at dusk annually forms the path to spookiness, which culminates at 11 p.m.
The spectacle is held in fun.
However, a scarier reality finds citizens fearing indiscriminate raids by masked Homeland Security and FBI agents.
Commonly referred to as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), their mission is to protect the US borders, thwart illegal immigration that threatens national security, and prevent terrorism.
Yet many contend that the tactics utilized create fear, and for many, scarier than imagined.
Complainants maintain that the highest-funded federal agency should not invade the homes of families, law-abiding immigrants, and churches.
Add to that the proliferation of mass shootings and arbitrary killings throughout the nation, and fear seems the dominant concern for many to ponder.
Although guns are not the prioritized weapons of mass destruction, they create concerning armaments to focus on.
Then there is the recent government shutdown, the deployment of national guard members to many cities, extreme weather conditions related to climate change, the return of flu season, choosing a mayor in New York City, interpreting President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Israel/Gaza threatening “hell to pay,” and issues related to Artificial Intelligence technology.
Imagine the latter, uncrewed Air Force jet planes fighting wars.
Reportedly, fighter drones are already intercepting perceived enemy aircraft in the sky.
Compounded by frigid temperatures ahead, the inevitable arrival of winter scares interprets to a treacherous fear for the homeless, mentally challenged individuals, disadvantaged citizens, and ordinary people.
Halloween offers a pretend holiday from reality, but some of the worst scares are ahead.
Early voting begins Oct. 25
A saying that ‘talk is cheap’ will be tested from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4 when New Yorkers decide who will lead the boroughs for the next four years.
Early voting provides 11 days to ponder and cast confidence for candidates in a bipartisan competition for the top position of mayor.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s ready ‘on day one.’
His TV promotional claims he will hire 5,000 more police officers to keep us safe.
“I know what I know and I know what I don’t know,” the optimistic Democrat alleges.
An alternative contender finds a Muslim competing for the same position.
Despite anti-Muslim sentiments towards Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, the ambitious Uganda-born politician could emerge as the first of his faith to be elected here.
The 33-year-old promises free bus transportation, freezing housing costs, improved literacy provisions, universal child care, and implementing better crime-fighting procedures.
An avowed democratic socialist, he is the polled front-runner poised for success.
Not to be overlooked is Canarsie-Brooklyn-born, red bereted Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa.
He claims, regardless of how much money he is offered, “even a billion dollars,” he is “here to stay.”
Millionaires and billionaires have solicited the founder of the crime-fighting street and subway patrol.
Now polling last of the triumvirate, if elected, the Republican promises safety, sanity, accountability, reforming Rikers Island, restoring integrity, boosting the economy, affordable housing, transit, and public safety for all.
With the incumbent Black Mayor Eric Adams resigning from the race, the 65-year-old will be denied a second term in office.
Unfortunately, the decision squashes prospects of making history for a two-term elected Black mayor.
While his legacy might spotlight corruption within his administration, cronyism, criminal convictions, and an alliance with a controversial Republican president who granted him a pardon, not to be deleted from his contribution are his roles in easing the burdens of migrants and providing housing for them at a critical juncture.
Mayor Adams suspended campaigning on Sept. 28.
Before ending his bid, the former police captain campaigned on a promise to continue a zero-tolerance policy on homeless people sleeping in the subway.
That short-lived proposition should be considered an asset to an agenda he hoped would shine a positive light on the city.
Although he is no longer in the running, on Nov. 4, his name will remain on the ballot.
New Yorkers will have an opportunity to decide which way forward by marking ballots from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4. In addition to the number one spot for mayor, there are five ballot proposals for city and statewide issues, along with candidates for comptroller, public advocate, and city council.
Catch You On the Inside!
