"Solidarity with Greece" was the theme of the annual Greek Independence Day Parade, organized by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York.

The President of the Federation, Elias Tsekerides, stated that the purpose of this year's parade and main goal is to "do exactly what the ancient Greeks wrote many years ago: to make gentle the life of this world." That's what we want to do for our fellow Greeks. Petros Galatoulas, General Secretary of the organization, added: "We want to show support and comfort to our brothers and sisters in Greece who are going through a very difficult time."

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey was named the 2012 Grand Marshal, in recognition of his steadfast support for Cyprus and the Greek National causes.

This year marks the 74th year that the Greek Independence Day Parade took place on New York's famed Fifth Avenue, starting at 64th and continuing to 79th Street on Sunday, March 25, 2012.

More than 50 floats and bands, as well as 100,000 participants and spectators were expected to attend the parade, commemorating the 191st anniversary of Greece's independence after 400 years of Turkish Ottoman rule on March 25, 1821.

Marching in solidarity with the Greeks were the Serbian and Armenian communities of Greater New York.