Pols: Be ‘fare’ to immigrants
Deportation over a $2.75 subway fare is unfortunately a frightening reality that two Brooklyn politicians want to eliminate by decriminalizing subway farebeating and making it a civil offense. State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Crown Heights) and Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant) (photos below, l. to r.) last week said turnstilejumping cases, which predominately affect people of color with low incomes, would become noncriminal offenses under legislation they plan to introduce.
“Look at the numbers, 20,000 kids, 16 and 17, arrested every year; some of them have been incarcerated, getting criminal records for just $2.75! It makes no sense,” Hamilton said, noting the consequences for some immigrants can be dire. “Also if you’re undocumented, now they (the federal government) can use that against you for deportation,” said Hamilton, who announced the decriminalization bill with Wright at a press conference last Tuesday attended by community activists and representatives of legal groups supporting the proposed measure.
From politics to sports and entertainment, this year’s black-tie Jamaica Independence Gala will feature a number of high-caliber attendees.
Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Patrick Ewing, the newly named Georgetown University head coach, are headlining the Aug. 26 event coming to the New York Hilton and Towers Hotel in Manhattan, from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Former Jamaica Prime Minister Edward Seaga, recipient of a Nation Builder Award, will be honored at the event.
For tickets and information, call the Jamaican Consulate at (212) 935-9000, ext. 8120.
The sentiments of “Vini Kozé” — Creole for “Come Chat” — now echo throughout the Eastern Caribbean with last week’s debut of a taped television series focused on achievements, development opportunities and challenges facing the region.
In the diaspora, the TV series can be seen on One Caribbean Television Fridays at 8 p.m., from Aug. 25 through Sept. 29.
The culmination of OECS Public Education Forum Series regional sessions held earlier this year, the “Vini Kozé” TV shows share the interaction of key decision makers, and grass-roots observers recorded in front of a live audience.
For broadcast times in Eastern Caribbean, visit http://bit.ly/vinikozestv2017. Being prepared to save lives is what this week’s Team Jamaica Bickle “Defibrillator to Schools Program” presentation and training session at G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Jamaica is all about. On Wednesday, officials from the program — started in 2014 following the death of a St. Jago High School student — will donate lifesaving automated external defibrillators (and give instructions in their use. Contact Team Jamaica Bickle at (718) 523-2861 or by email at teamjamaicabickle@gmail.com.