The recent legislative triumph of making Diwali a public school holiday in New York City is a testament to the rich cultural and historical contributions of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities to the city.

This achievement was driven by the tireless efforts of community leaders and lawmakers, including Assembly member Jessica González-Rojas, who passionately advocated for Governor Kathy Hochul to enact this significant legislation. Mohamed Q. Amin, Founder and Executive Director of the Caribbean Equality Project, highlighted the importance of this victory during a press conference. He remarked, “The passage of the Diwali bills acknowledges the history of Indo-Caribbean people and honors the legacies and resilience of countless indentured laborers who came to the Caribbean under difficult circumstances. Many of their descendants sought refuge in New York City in the 1960s, fleeing political unrest in countries like Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Today, New York is home to the largest Indo-Caribbean community in the United States, especially in neighborhoods like Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park in Queens.”

The campaign to make Diwali a recognized holiday in New York City public schools began over three decades ago at the New York City Council with a bill introduced by Council Member Daniel Dromm. Caribbean Equality Project leaders Ramdat Singh and Mohamed Q. Amin were leading voices for over 10 years. Their efforts were rooted in a community-centered approach, involving educational outreach, engaging high school students, and organizing press conferences, rallies, and legislative visits in Albany to advance this initiative.