Cypress Park Parade Celebrates Hope

Little Leaguers marched for unity, low-rider bicyclists pedaled for pride. Cool behind the wheel of his 1951 Chevy Deluxe, roofer Louis Torres revved his engine for peace.

Watching them from the sidewalks along Cypress Avenue, thousands of Cypress Park residents rallied Saturday behind a fresh spirit of hope and cooperation.

In a joint effort by the area’s elected officials, residents and law enforcement personnel, Cypress Park revived its annual Cinco de Mayo parade, which had been canceled this year because of concerns about gang violence.

In perhaps the neighborhood’s largest parade turnout ever, young and old beheld the colorful procession while police handed out trading cards to patient children, and neighbors reminisced about the area’s older, more peaceful days.

“It’s good that the tradition continues,” said resident Eloiza Jauregui, watching her 7-year-old daughter jumping beneath the cool shower of a county firefighter’s hose.

The fear that had forced cancellation of the parade seemed muted below the rumblings of marching squads and drum teams.

“You could feel some sort of catharsis,” said Los Angeles Unified School District board member David Tokofsky. “This is about pride,” state Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) told a jubilant crowd. “This is about creating a sense of community.”

Many attending the Saturday festivities hoped that the cooperative spirit that made the parade possible will continue.

“A parade is great at bringing notice and everything, but my concern is after,” said Art Pulido, president of the Cypress Park Advisory Council.

Pulido said he wants the people who helped organize the festival to continue meeting regularly to ensure that attention does not drift from the neighborhood’s gang problems.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Raul Vega promised to stay focused. “I’m going to make sure that the police stay,” said Vega, who grew up in Cypress Park.

He pointed out the new police substation on Cypress Avenue and explained that many LAPD officers grew up or have family in the neighborhood.

“We all have a vested interest” in protecting Cypress Park, he said.

“I’m really proud of [Cypress Park residents] for not throwing in the towel,” Vega said.