March, rally ‘to demand justice for George Floyd’
In solidarity with racial justice protesters across the U.S. and around the world, the “Caribbean-Americans for Justice” march and rally is scheduled to take place in Brooklyn on Sunday, starting at noon. Event organizers are calling on “all Caribbean-Americans in the New York tristate area to join the march and rally to demand justice for George Floyd, [and] an end to systemic racism and police brutality in New York and the U.S.”
The march begins at Church and Flatbush Aves., with the procession traveling north on Flatbush Ave. to the rally at Grand Army Plaza (where Flatbush intersects with Eastern Parkway)
The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy, the Mount Zion Church of God (7th Day), Byways & Hedges Youth for Christ Ministry, International Cultures United and the Ride Along Live organization are among the march/rally organizers.
Advocating for Haitians
COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and shutdowns have not deterred the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees organization from safely and remotely serving its clients, while also speaking out against abusive U.S. immigration measures occurring during the pandemic.
The organization has also recently decried the Trump administration’s deportation of coronavirus-exposed people to their homelands — which include Haiti.
“We at Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees are outraged by the discriminatory deportations that are being carried out by ICE [the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency] in the midst of this global coronavirus/ COVID-19 pandemic,” said Executive Director Ninaj Raoul.
“It is simply cruel and inhumane to deport individuals to Haiti now, particularly after they have been exposed to the virus while detained by ICE,” Raoul said, adding “this poses an obvious risk both to the deportees and the people of Haiti.”
Aiding Haitians living in the New York area, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees is “very much open” during the health crisis — adhering to coronavirus precautions and continuing to serve “undocumented community members, including domestic violence survivors, asylum seekers who recently crossed the border, undocumented youth and … [temporary protected status] holders.”
Donations are being accepted to help fund the group’s “education, community organizing, leadership development and collective action.”
To donate and get more information on the organization, visit its website, haitianrefugees.org, send email to haitianwomen@aol.com or call (718) 462-0791.
‘Caribbean Week’ canceled
The 2020 version of the anticipated “Caribbean Week New York” program of events and activities in the city has been shelved by the Caribbean Tourism Organization because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the group did make it a point to recognize America and its Caribbean-American population in this time of crisis.
Looking northward with immense pride, Secretary General Neil Walters of the Barbados-based organization released a statement marking the annual June celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
The international organization also gave well-deserved props to all Caribbean-Americans — from Nevis-born, American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton to the thousands of Caribbean-connected frontline medical professionals in America’s COVID-19 fight.
“As we celebrate Americans with roots in the Caribbean this month, the [Caribbean Tourism Organization] looks forward to our emergence from this pandemic as a much stronger, more determined and more united people whose contribution to home and adopted home cannot be matched,” read the statement, which also paid tribute to cornonavirus victims.
“We mourn this loss of life and our hearts ache for the families devastated by the loss of their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.”
Learn more about the Caribbean Tourism Organization at onecaribbean.org.
Jamaica resort comeback
Blue Diamond Resorts firm — adhering to health guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and local health ministries — plans to reopen five of its luxury resorts next month after a three-month temporary closure.
In the Jamaica, the Royalton Negril Resort and Spa, the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Negril, and the Grand Lido Negril will resume operations on July 15.
“As we begin to reopen our awardwinning resorts in Cancun and Negril, we are committed to providing the ‘All-In Luxury’ experience that our valued guests have come to know and love, with their safety being the utmost priority,” said Jordi Pelfort, president of Hotels and Resorts at Sunwing Travel Group.
“With advanced safety protocols and superior cleaning measures, guests will be able to relax in paradise and rediscover the wonders of our host locales.”