Legal Battle Settled Over Peruvian Festival and Parade Permit in Paterson

In a recent court ruling, a legal battle over who would be allowed to run the annual Peruvian festival and parade in Passaic, Clifton, and Paterson has finally been settled. The conflict, which has been marred by controversy and cultural factionalism in recent years, came to a head with a decision by Superior Court Judge Frank Covello.

The dispute arose when a Paterson doctor, Hector Castillo, filed a lawsuit claiming that city officials wrongly denied his application to run the events as Peruvian Parade Inc. Instead, the permits were granted to New Jersey Peruvians Inc. However, the court ruled in favor of the New Jersey Peruvians group, allowing them to proceed with the festival and parade.

City officials cited that New Jersey Peruvians had submitted their permit application before Castillo did, and that Peruvian Parade Inc. was ineligible for a permit due to outstanding fees owed to the city from the previous year’s events. Castillo, who has been involved in various political campaigns over the years, argued that Peruvian Parade Inc. has a longstanding tradition of running the event and should not be sidelined.

The decision has sparked further controversy, with accusations of influence peddling and wrongdoing. Councilwoman Maritza Davila, who is set to be the grand marshal of this year’s parade, has been accused by Castillo of abusing her influence to support the New Jersey Peruvians group. In response, Davila called Castillo a liar and defended the city’s handling of the permit applications.

Despite the legal wrangling, the parade is scheduled to proceed on Sunday, starting in Passaic and winding through Clifton and Paterson. The festival will be held in downtown Paterson, with a significant police presence to ensure public safety. The total police cost for the event is estimated at $103,200, with the parade group required to pay 40% of that amount as stipulated by city ordinance.

The ongoing conflict over the Peruvian festival and parade highlights the challenges of organizing cultural events in a diverse community, and the importance of fair and transparent decision-making in such matters.