While J’ouvert is a cultural cornerstone for the city, it’s become a subject of controversy. J’ouvert is a wild, pre-dawn street masquerade that marks the beginning of Caribbean Carnival. Over the past decade, more than 20 people have been shot and killed in and around the festival, leading many to associate the event with violence.

Carey Gabay, a former aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was fatally shot by a stray bullet in 2015. Last year, Tyreke Borel, 17, and Tiarah Poyau, 22, were the victims of gun violence. Participants from the Caribbean neighborhoods claim authorities have changed the narrative of J’Ouvert (Creole for "daybreak"), which was created to celebrate the emancipation from slavery. Now that the timing of the celebration has changed, the community believes the lack of respect for tradition could bring forth new problems.