THE Guyana Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York) says the Mayor of Georgetown, Guyana, Patricia Chase-Green will be the grand marshal of the annual Guyanese Independence Parade in Brooklyn, New York on June 3.

On Saturday, the Committee said the parade is part of Guyana’s 52nd Independence celebration in New York, which will be held from June 3 to 10.

Other invitees include Guyana’s Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Guyana’s Attorney General Basil Williams; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo; New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio; US congressional representatives Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly; Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN Michael Ten-Pow; and Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Dr Riyad Insanally.

Committee chairman Rickford Burke, told the Caribbean Media Corporation that he and executive members have been meeting with New York officials and members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in finalising plans for the celebrations.

Burke particularly lauded Adams for his “exceptional efforts to endure a successful celebration and for donating US$5 000.00 towards the celebration.”

The parade commences at Church and Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn, culminating at the Brooklyn Museum on Washington Avenue and Eastern Parkway.
Burke said a Unity Concert will be held on the same day.

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.
Other activities include the Independence Festival, to be held on Saturday, June 9.
Burke said, “Guyanese pride will be on full display when the New York Diaspora unites for one celebration.”

He said the celebration will be held under the theme, “Celebrate Guyana to the World.”
Nevlon Duguid, director of communications for the organising group, said the annual event is the second largest West Indian celebration in New York, after the Labour Day Carnival parade.

He said the historic 2016 jubilee celebration attracted over 20 000 Guyanese, while over 10 000 attended in 2017.
“Interest has peaked astronomically this year. We expect to mobilise a greater number of Guyanese in 2018,” Duguid said. (CMC)