Sept. 12, 1964 - Robert F. Kennedy, the perennial crowd-pleaser, hit the sidewalks of New York today in a mammoth walking tour to drum up votes for his U.S. Senatorial bid.
Uptown and downtown and over to Central Park he hit many of the city’s ethnic bases — the Spanish-speaking citizens and the Jewish people of upper Broadway, the Italians of Little Italy, and the residents of Chinatown.
The crowds were large and enthusiastic. Only one minor incident marred a generally jovial day for Bobby. On upper Broadway, a firecracker was tossed from a window. At the sound of the explosion, the police immediately closed in on Kennedy, but he continued shaking hands. No one was injured and there were no arrests.
At 86th St., taking cognizance of the Jewish New Year, Kennedy said:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year.”
Kennedy and his party then traveled east to Central Park to greet members of the National Federation of Spanish Softball Leagues, holding their world series on the park’s great lawn.
After greeting 700 persons with “Buenos dias,” he said that, to spare them, he would give the rest of his brief speech in English. He told the teams they epitomized the physical fitness program that so interested his brother, the late President.
On Mulberry St., in Little Italy, Kennedy was swamped by kissing Italian women. One of them ran her hand through Bobby’s hair and then kissed the palm of his hand.
The Feast of San Gennaro, the Italian colony’s major yearly celebration which honors the patron saint of Naples, was in full swing when Kennedy arrived at 11:45 a.m.
At 140 Mulberry St., headquarters of the Societa San Gennaro, he received a lapel pin with a picture of the saint. At Hester St., he pinned a $50 bill to a banner beneath a bust of the saint.
Then, across Canal St., he entered Chinatown. The crowds again rushed forward enthusiastically. Mayor Robert Wagner, who had joined Kennedy in Little Italy, left the walking tour as Bobby sauntered through the Chinese district.
On Mott St., Kennedy stood on a car hood and reviewed the San Gennaro parade. One spectator commented:
“Only in New York City could an Irish candidate stand in Chinatown on a Jewish Sabbath and review an Italian parade.”
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