THE Consulate of Guyana in New York City and Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee in New York are alerting the diaspora of plans to exploit the anniversary celebrations.Consul General Brentnold Evans and Chairman, 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee, Rickford Burke said in a media release yesterday that they have been notified by some Guyanese nationals in Brooklyn that they have received invitations for meetings related to Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, as well as solicitations for monetary contributions.

The Consulate and Committee stated, however, that they are in no way associated with these meetings and requests for monetary contributions.

Guyanese nationals and business owners should, therefore, be cautious and eschew activities that are not sanctioned by the Consulate or the official 50th Independence Anniversary Committee in New York.

The official celebration of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence in New York City will be from June 4 – 12, 2016, the release stated.

It said further that this commemoration promises to be the greatest celebration Guyanese will ever see. Sponsorship requests will carry the official logo and seal of the Committee and the official events of the celebration will be advertised with the official logo and seal.

This celebration is being planned by Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Committee (New York) in collaboration with the Guyana Consulate and Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations.

The theme is “Reflect our Journey, Forging Unity and Embracing Modernity”, and the commemorative events are being designed to produce the synergistic effect needed to realise the celebration theme.

The committee therefore intends to inspire every Guyanese to play a meaningfully role in forging national harmony.

The official commemorative events from June 4 – 12, 2016, will be widely publicised on the Committee’s website: www.celebrateGuyana50thinnyc.com, as well as in the media and on all social media sites.

The grand celebration launch will be on December 19, 2015, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave, Queens, New York, 11432.

The Committee is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organisation that is registered under the laws of the State of New York and regulated by the Charities Bureau of the office of the Attorney General, the release informed.

Meanwhile, the Committee gave notice that it will pursue any unlawful and/or unauthorised use of its logo and other materials in accordance with U.S. Copyright and Trademark laws.