GUYANA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE (NEW YORK)
3402 Farragut Road. Brooklyn NY 11210. Tel: 929-263-2556. Email: info@celebrateguyananyc.com
Guyana Independence Committee (New York) Chair calls for unity in the Guyanese US Diaspora
BROOKLYN: Chairman of the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee (New York), Rickford Burke, has disclosed that the Guyanese community is receiving an unprecedented outpouring of support from United States federal, state and city officials for Guyana’s 52ndIndependence Anniversary celebration in New York City from June 3-16, 2018.
He said that the eyes of the world are on the Guyanese community as the Independence celebration creates history as the second, largest West Indian celebration in New York City, after the Labor-Day parade. The Committee Chairman added that the leadership of the wider Caribbean community is also steadfastly supporting his committee and the celebration in a demonstration of Caribbean unity.
Speaking Monday with Nelson King, New York correspondent for the Caribbean Media Corporation, the Committee Chairman cited the support from elected officials and other Caribbean-American leaders as an inspiration for unity among Guyanese. He made a direct appeal for all Guyanese in the United States diaspora to put political and other difference aside and work together for the good of Guyana and all Guyanese. “There is strength in unity. We are 500,000 strong in the New York Tri-State. This is the time for us to demonstrate oneness and our inseparable and envious characteristic – our common Guyanese identity. Now is the time for unity and togetherness,” he emphasized, as he expressed confidence that his committee will continue to be an agent for positive change in the diaspora.
Burke hailed Guyana as “the most hospitable country in the Caribbean region with an illustrious culture and rich in natural resources, and whose diversity of races and ethnicities creates a social fabric that is incomparable. This is the essence of our nation and who we are as a people.” He posited that the commemoration of the birth of the Guyanese nation must be a signal occasion for all Guyanese to put grievances and differences of opinion aside and come together to celebrate the nation and its journey from colonialism to modern development. Burke pledged to work closely with all stake holders of the diaspora to engender national harmony and cohesion. He asserted that Guyana cannot attain developed nation status without cohesion and national harmony and that all Guyanese bear responsibility for bringing about this reality.
The celebration comprises the annual Independence Parade (Mashramani in New York) on June 3, 2018, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Church and Brooklyn Avenues, Brooklyn. The after parade Unity Concert on June 3 is at 1:00 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway & Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238. The Independence Cup Soccer Tournament will take place on June 16, at Old Boys High School Soccer Field 777 Rutland Road, Brooklyn.
GUYANA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE (NEW YORK)
3402 Farragut Road. Brooklyn NY 11210. Tel: 929-263-2556. Email: info@celebrateguyananyc.com
Guyana Independence Celebration Sunday, June 3, 2018
The Guyana Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York) is honored to invite you to attend the following events to commemorate the 52nd Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Guyana.
We’ll be pleased to have you join the annual Guyanese Independence Parade on June 3, 2018. The assembly point is Church & Brooklyn Avenues, Brooklyn New York 11203, at 10:00 a.m. The parade will proceed East on Church Ave, North on Rogers Ave, West on President St, and conclude at the Brooklyn Museum Parking Lot: 200 Eastern Parkway & Washington, Brooklyn NY 11238.
A Flag Raising Ceremony, to be conducted jointly by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyanese ranks in the US Military, will take place at 1:00 p.m.
The main event, the Unity Concert, will commence at 1:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum Parking Lot: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238. The entrance fee is twenty dollars ($20.00). Tickets can be purchased at our website: www.celebrateguyananyc.com or at the gate on June 3. The VIP and Press entrance is Eastern Parkway. The main entrance is at Washington Avenue & President Street. Bag-packs, weapons, glass bottles and glass containers, narcotics, lighters or smoking will be prohibited. All attendees will be subjected to NYPD and/or other security checks.
Bring your flag! We look forward to your company as we “Celebrating Guyana To The World.”
Yours sincerely,
Nevlon Duguid
Director of Communications & Diaspora Engagement
MAIN SPONSORS: GERMAN’S RESTRURANT, WESTERN UNION AND CARIBBEAN AIRLINES
GUYANA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE (NEW YORK)
3402 Farragut Road. Brooklyn NY 11210. Tel: 929-263-2556. Email: info@celebrateguyananyc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nevlon Duguid, Director of Communications
Email: nduguid@celebrateguyananyc.com
Media Advisory For The New York Celebration Of The 52nd Anniversary
Of Independence Of The Republic Of Guyana, June 3, 2018
The New York celebration of the 52nd Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Guyana, hosted by the Guyana Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York), will take place from June 3 – 10, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. The Committee hereby invites members of the local and foreign media to cover its celebration.
Special invitees include Guyana’s Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Attorney General Basil Williams and other ministers; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Members of Congress Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and other US Federal, State and City officials, Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly, Ambassador to the UN Michael Ten-Pow, Ambassador to the US Dr. Riyadh Insanally and others.
The annual Guyanese Independence Parade takes place on June 3, 2018 in Brooklyn. The 1.7 miles-long parade assembly point is Church & Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn. The parade will proceed West on Church Ave, North on Rogers Ave, West on President St, and conclude at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway & Washington, Brooklyn NY 11238.
A Flag Raising Ceremony, to be conducted jointly by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyanese in the US Military, will precede the concert at 1:00 p.m. The Unity Concert will commence at 1:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum Parking Lot: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238.
VIPs:
The VIP, special guests, elected officials, diplomats and dignitaries liaison is Committee Vice Chairman, Rhonda Binda, who may be contacted at Tel: 202–277-5899. Email: Rhonda.binda@gmail.com. The VIP entrance is on Eastern Parkway. VIP passes and parking permits may be uplifted from Ms. Binda prior to the event or at the Eastern Parkway entrance gate.
PRESS:
Media practitioners with New York State, Guyana Independence Committee or other appropriate press credentials must enter the Brooklyn Museum compound from the Eastern Parkway entrance. Members of the media will be subjected to random NYPD and/or other security checks before entry. Only media workers with the appropriate press credentials will be allowed entry as media. Media practitioners seeking accreditation must apply via the “Media Center” on the Committee’s website: www.celebrateguyananyc.com. Press passes will be available prior to the event or at the Eastern Parkway entrance gate. The Press Liaisons are Director of Communications Tel: Nevlon Dugid 862-224-9697. Email: nevlonduguid@gmail.com. And Vice Chairman Rhonda Binda Tel: 202–277-5899. Email: Rhonda.binda@gmail.com.
PATRONS:
The main entrance for patrons to the Unity Concert is on Washington Avenue & President Street. Tickets will only be sold at the gate and via the Committee’s website from May 20, 2018. All patrons will be subjected to NYPD and/or other security checks. Bag-packs, weapons, narcotics, bottles, lighters or smoking utensils will not be allowed. Entrance tickets are $20.00 per person.
PARTICIPATION:
Organizations, businesses, groups or individuals who are interested in participating in the celebration or placing trucks or floats on the parade, may contact the Committee at: www.celebrateguyananyc.com or call 929-263-2556. Individuals who wish to volunteer as parade marshals may contact Winston Jacobs at 917-225-9451.
VENDING:
Persons who wish to vend at the events must register as a vendor via our website: celebrateguyananyc.com, or call 929-263-2556 for inquiries. Vendors will not be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages, cigarettes or any illegal substance or items or take weapons of any kind, glass bottles or glass containers onto the celebration premises. The liaisons for vendors are Treasurer Sharmin Prince 718-506-8255 and Board Member Jason Waldron 347-4699716.
GUYANA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE (NEW YORK)
3402 Farragut Road. Brooklyn NY 11210. Tel: 929-263-2556. Email: info@celebrateguyananyc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nevlon Duguid, Director of Communications
Email: nduguid@celebrateguyananyc.com
New York Celebration of Guyana’s 52nd Independence Set For June 3-10, 2018
Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green is Parade Grand Marshal
BROOKLYN: Mayor of Georgetown, Guyana’s Capital City, Patricia Chase-Green, will be grand marshal of the annual Guyanese Independence Parade in Brooklyn, on June 3, 2018. The parade is part of Guyana’s 52nd Independence celebration in New York from June 3 – 10. Other top invitees include Guyana’s Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Attorney General Basil Williams and other ministers; New York Governor Andrew Cumo, New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio, Members of Congress Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and other US officials, Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly, Ambassador to the UN Michael Ten-Pow and Ambassador to the US Dr. Ryiad Insanally.
Last Monday, Committee Chairman, Rickford Burke, Vice Chairman Rhonda Binda, General Counsel Edward Meertins-George and Secretary June Persaud met with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, New York City Council Member Laurie Cumbo, as well as NYPD officials and others, to finalize celebration plans. In a statement Friday, Burke praised Borough President Adams for his exceptional efforts to endure a successful celebration and for donating $5,000.00 towards the celebration.
The 1.7 miles long parade takes place on Sunday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m. The route has been changed. The Parade commences at Church & Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn. It will proceed West on Church Ave, North on Rogers Ave, West on President St, and conclude at the Brooklyn Museum, on Washington Ave and Eastern Parkway. The Unity Concert is at 1:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum Tarmac: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238.
A Flag Raising Ceremony, to be conducted jointly by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyanese in the US Military, will precede the concert at 1:00 p.m. The VIP entrance is Eastern Parkway, while the main entrance is at Washington Ave. & President St. Bag-packs, weapons, narcotics, lighters or smoking will not be allowed. Entrance tickets are $20.00 per person.
The Independence Festival will be on Saturday, June 9, 2018. The Independence Cup Soccer tournament is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, June 10, at 12:00 p.m. at Old Boys High School Soccer Field: 777 Rutland Road & Troy Ave. Brooklyn NY 11203.
The concert will be see performances from reggae superstar, Dexta Daps, Carib Soca Monarch Brandon Harding, chutney artists Terry Gajraj and Vicadi Singh, Soca stars Jumo Primo, Adrian Duchin, Blaze Antonio, Treyvon Vibez and Melissa Vanilla Roberts. Artistes Eddie Neblet, Saiku, Kapa Shanti, Lisa Punch, Jonnygo Figure, Nesta Nelson, Mod Stoney, Roger Hinds, Gaddie G, Gavin Mendonce, Anthony Allen will also perform. Also featureing are Angel’s Caribbean Band, Kemarley the comedian, poets Anaya Lee Willabus and Qubilah Quallis, international dancer, Zaman and drummer Akoyaw Rudder. Georgetown City Council member and Radio personality, Malcolm Ferreira will be a Co Mcee.
Organizations, businesses, groups or individuals who are interested in participating in the celebration, placing trucks or floats on the parade, or in vending, may contact the Committee at www.celebrateguyananyc.com or call 929-263-2556.
GUYANA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE (NEW YORK)
3402 Farragut Road. Brooklyn NY 11210. Tel: 929-263-2556. Email: info@celebrateguyananyc.com
(L-R) Edward Meertins-George, Loraine Faenell, Samantha Hodges, Consul
General Barbara Atherly, Sharmin Prince, Rickford Burke and Nevlon Duguid
Record turn out expected for Guyana’s 52nd Independence celebration in New York from May 20, June 3-10, 2018
Brooklyn, USA: Guyanese pride will be on full display when the New York diaspora unites for one celebration of Guyana’s 52nd Anniversary of Independence from June 3 – 10, 2018 in Brooklyn, under the theme “Celebrate Guyana To The World.” The annual event is the second largest West Indian celebration in New York, after the Labor-Day parade. The historic 2016 jubilee celebration attracted over 20,000 Guyanese, while over 10,000 attended in 2017. Our website has received over 4 million hits. Interest has peaked astronomically this year. We expect to mobilize a greater number of Guyanese in 2018.
A delegation from the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee (New York); including Chairman, Mr. Rickford Burke, Vice Chairman Ms. Rhonda Binda, Treasurer Ms. Sharimn Prince, Counsel Mr. Edward Meertins-George and Director of Communications & Diaspora Engagement, Mr. Nevlon Duguid, met with Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Hon. Barbara Atherly, on Friday, March 23, to synchronize celebration plans. Consul General Atherly was accompanied by Ms. Samantha Hodges, executive officer in the diaspora affairs unit and Ms. Loraine Farnell, of the Consulate.
The Consul General and Committee agreed to work closely together to create synergies that promote unity and to engender national cohesion. Cognizant that the diaspora must adopt a united approach to celebrate our common culture, the Committee and Consul General further agreed to partner, as well as work jointly with other diaspora organizations, to ensure a successful Independence celebration. The celebration comprises an Independence Thanksgiving Service on May 20, 2018, Flag Raising Ceremony on June 3, Independence Parade (Mashramani in New York) on June 3, Unity Concert on June 3; Independence Festival on June 9 and Independence Cup Soccer Tournament on June 10.
We have invited President David Granger, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, Attorney General Basil Wiliams, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, Minister of Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes, Director of Sports Christopher Jones, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and others.
In keeping with our commitment to honor members of the Disciplined Services of Guyana each year, we have invited five members of the Guyana Defence Force. These ranks will partner with Guyanese-American counterparts in the United States Armed Forces to perform the ceremonial honors at the events. We have also invited several national soccer players from Guyana as well as the President of the Guyana Football Federation, Mr. Wayne Forde, to participate in the soccer tournament.
The concert will be headlined by an international reggae superstar, who will be announced in April at the Committee’s 2018 media and public relations campaign roll out. Other artists slated to perform include Carib Soca Monarch Brandon Harding, chutney star Terry Gajraj, Soca stars Jumo Primo, Adrian Duchin, Blaze Antonio, Travon Vibez and Melissa Vanilla Roberts. Recording artists Eddie Neblet, Kapa Shanti, Lisa Punch, Jihnny Go Figure and others will also appear. They will be accompanied by Guyanese-owned Angel’s Caribbean Band. Organizations, businesses, groups or individuals who are interested in participating in the celebration, placing truck or floats on the parade, or in vending, may contact the Committee at www.celebrateguyananyc.comor call 929-263-2556.
Nevlon Duguid
Director of Communications
