2/26/2009


Dominican celebration in Reading will be calm this year, organizers say


Independence celebration

In Feb. 27, 1844, the Dominican Republic declared its independence after 22 years of occupation by Haiti.

The national holiday is traditionally marked with parades, festivals and other cultural events.

Union Dominicana, Berks County, is organizing this year's celebration in Reading.

Friday's schedule

1 p.m. - March from Reading High School to City Park.

4:30 p.m. - Programs focusing on history and culture at the Reading Area Community College's Schmidt Training & Technology Center.

By David Mekeel
Reading Eagle


Last year's celebration of the Dominican Republic's independence day in Reading didn't turn out so well.

Sunilda Tejada said this year's celebration on Friday will be different.

Tejada is treasurer of Union Dominicana, Berks County, a group that formed in the wake of what police called a riot involving Reading High School students during the 2008 celebration.

An unruly crowd of 1,000 to 1,500 students blocked streets and threw rocks and bottles at police when officers tried to disperse them, authorities said.

The 2008 incident caused tension among the city, school district and Latino groups, as each searched for answers as to why the situation got out of hand.

Tejada said Friday's event will help to heal those wounds.

"What happened last year cannot continue to happen here because we are brothers and sisters," she said.

The celebration will begin at 1 p.m. in front of the high school, with an anticipated 500 people marching down 13th Street to City Park.

Programs focusing on culture and history will be offered beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Reading Area Community College.

Tejada said the idea is to show the community what being Dominican is all about.

"We (Dominicans) have to be united, have our community together, educate ourselves and show the values our community has," she said. "And it's also important to understand and be part of the bigger community you live in."

Mayor Tom McMahon said he is wary of the celebration and would prefer that the entire event be held indoors to avoid traffic problems and other disruptions.

Tejada said the mass of people in the street will not result in a situation similar to last year. The city has been notified of the event, and Union Dominicana has obtained the necessary permits.

"What we have to do is communicate better and do things in the right way," she said. "And that is what we're trying to do this time. This year, the outcome can be different. I know it."

Contact David Mekeel: 610-371-5014 or dmekeel@readingeagle.com.

Source: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=127197