CARIBBEAT: ‘Caribbean-Americans for Justice’ to march and rally in Brooklyn for racial equality
“Caribbean Americans For Justice” march and rally will take the call for racial justice to the streets of Brooklyn today. (Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy)
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 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.
There's a lot of people in need and the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees organization has programs to help. It's also fighting unfair U.S. immigration policies. (Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees)
“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.
During the "Caribbean Week New York" last year, patrons enjoyed the warm atmosphere and scumptious cusine at a Caribbean Tourism Organization- sponsored affair at Manhattan's chic Capitale event space. (Caribbean Tourism Organization)
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.
An array of attendees' badges at a 2019 "Caribbean Week New York" event, presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. This year's "Caribbean Week was cancelled. (Caribbean Tourism Organization)
“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. And In Mexico, the Blue Diamond Resorts’ Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa, and the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun will also reopen on that date.
“As we begin to reopen our award-winning 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.”
The Royalton Negril Resort and Spa (above) in Jamaica is one of several Blue Diamond Resorts properties reopening July 15 — under health guidance from Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and the Caribbean nation's health ministry, said company officials. (BLUE DIAMOND RESORTS)
New “Safety-Assured Vacations” protocols — safeguarding both guests and employees — include physical distancing, advanced dining safety, increased staff training, the use of personal protective equipment, a “360º Clean Approach” of all resort common areas and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected guest rooms.
Discounted “Welcome Back Offer” rates are available through Aug. 31
Visit royaltonresorts.com/royalton/offers/welcome-back-offer or contact your travel agent or tour operator.
‘Virtual Sol Cinema Cafe’
The respected, Harlem-based nonprofit ImageNation Cinema Foundation is presenting its “Virtual Sol Cinema Cafe” — with the thrilling “#BeDebaucherous,” 14 days of virtual after-parties featuring some of “the hottest house music DJs from across the globe.”
The virtual site debuted Friday. The international party affairs, running from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., can be seen through June 25 at @Sol Cinema Cafe on Instagram.
DJ’s from Pretoria, South Africa, will be participating and partying Sunday in a special affair at 4 p.m. And attendees of all the virtual #BeDebaucherous parties are “encouraged to broadcast themselves dancing live in their homes” and party along during virtual events.
In addition to hosting virtual, international DJ music affairs, the Sol Cinema Cafe is presenting "Thee Debauchery Ball, (above), a documentary about the pioneering house music scene in Chicago. (Thee Debauchery Ball/Sol Cinema Cafe)
The Sol Cinema Cafe will be hosting this month the virtual theatrical release of “Thee Debauchery Ball: A Documentary about Black Lives, Freedom, Sexuality, and House Music.” Directed by David Weathersby, the award-winning documentary celebrates Chicago’s vibrant Afrocentric house music scene. The film is available on-demand for $10 at SolCinemaCafe.com.
ImageNation Cinema Foundation — run by Moikgantsi Kgama, founder/executive director, and her husband, Gregory Gates, executive producer — have recently partnered with the Mainvest revenue-sharing firm to raise funds for Sol Cinema Cafe. Visit mainvest.com/b/sol-cinema-cafe-new-york for information.
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