Brooklyn celebrates Hispanic Heritage at Criminal Court
The Brooklyn Criminal Court held its annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Friday, the last held by a local court, where it honored a court officer as employee of the year and invited back a former judge in the court as the keynote speaker.
“Here at the criminal court, we are as busy as any other court and work just as hard or harder, but I am so happy to be a part of a place where we can take moments like this, take a deep breath, look around and celebrate what we bring to the table every day,” said Hon. Michael Yavinsky, supervising judge of the Criminal Court. “The diversity, the cultural tapestry that we have in Brooklyn is unbelievable and something that should be celebrated on a regular basis.”
Hon. Connie Mallafre Melendez served as mistress of ceremony for the event. She opened by pointing out some of the court’s Latino judges who had helped with event including Hon. Raymond Rodriguez, Hon. Keshia Espinal, Hon. Fred Arriaga, Hon. Edwin Novillo and herself.