PM is guest of honour
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

–at NY Independence celebrations

THE Guyana Independence Celebration Committee (New York) has announced that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will be the guest of honour and at this year’s New York celebration of Guyana’s 53rd Anniversary of Independence from June 2-3, 2019 in Brooklyn.

The celebration’s theme this year is, “Fan the Flame of Guyanese Patriotism!” Organisers say in a release that this is the largest Independence commemoration to date outside of Guyana, and the second largest West Indian celebration in New York City, after the annual Labor Day parade.

According to the release, the annual Guyanese Independence Parade on Church Avenue, Brooklyn, is on June 2, 2019. The parade’s assembly point is Utica and Church Avenues at 11h00. The parade will proceed East on Church Avenue and South on Ralph Avenue, to end at Preston Court. The after- parade Flagraising Ceremony and Unity Concert will commence at 14h:00, on June 2 at the former Brooklyn Art Center: 8024 Preston Court and Ralph Ave, Brooklyn NY 11236. The Committee has called on patrons to maintain orderliness as well as the event’s incident-free record. It also stressed that all contraband will be confiscated by the Police.

The Concert will be headlined by Soca superstar, Patrice Roberts, celebrated Guyanese artiste, Onyolla Phillips, aka “Stitchie The One Man Band”; Guyana’s Chutney Monarch, Steven Ramphall; Guyana’s Calypso Monarch, Kenroy Fraser, Mighty Believer; Carib Soca Monarch Brandon Harding; Soca Artistes Nessa Preppy and Freezy; and Guyanese-American Hip Hop artiste, Lia Givenchy, among others.

The celebration will conclude on Monday, June 3, 2019 with a Youth Symposium and launch of the New York chapter of Guyana’s newly-formed national youth movement, “Move On Guyana, Inc.,” at 18h00 at the God’s Battalion of Prayer Church & Christian School: 661 Linden Blvd & Schenectady Ave, Brooklyn NY 11203. “Our Youth: Moving Guyana Forward,” is the theme of the celebration finale. Prime Nagamootoo will be the keynote speaker.

There will also be a post-symposium Diaspora briefing, at which a Government of Guyana ministerial delegation will address nationals. Ministers of the government and other officials who have been invited to the celebration include: Basil Williams, Attorney-General; Volda Lawrence, Minister of Health; Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance; Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Foreign Affairs; David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure; Dawn Hastings-Williams, Minister of State; Simona Broomes, Minister of Youth Affairs; Joseph Harmon, Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency; Ubraj Narine, Mayor of Georgetown; Christopher Jones, Director of Sport; and Owen Verwey, CEO of Go-Invest, Guyana’s Ambassador to the US Dr. Riyad Insanally; Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Ten Pow; and Guyana’s Consul-General to New York City Barbara Atherly.

A combined contingent of 10 Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) officers will also travel to New York to participate in the celebration. The GDF officers are Lieutenant Neil Asregadoo; Lieutenant Winette Smartt; Sergeant David John; Sergeant Shameka Devonish; Sergeant Randell Williams; Sergeant Stefan King; Corporal Alex Williams; and Private Raheem Hamza Duke. The police officers are Lance Corporal Osbert Cain, and Constable Garfield Skinner. Move On Guyana, Inc President, Vishal Joseph; and Vice-President Mary Adams; Director of Finance, Varune Mohadeo; Digital Director Aggrey Marsh; Director of International Affairs Dr. Randy Domer, and Director of Strategic Planning and Political Affairs, Akeem Peter, will also attend the celebration.

Other artistes who are scheduled to perform at the Unity Concert on June 2 include Guyana’s Soca Monarch runner-up, Vintage, Trevon Vibez, Adrian Dutchin, Chutney legend Terry Gadraj; former Calypso Monarch Diana Chapman; the rapper, Kelsy More; gospel artistes Saiku, dancer Jonnel Shury, reggae artiste Omaje, Mahindra Ramkellawan, dancehall artiste Jory and Blaze Anthonio. The artistes will accompanied by Angel Caribbean Band and DJ Mix Master Tony. The all-star concert will be hosted by radio personality Malcolm Ferreira, Dr. Rose October and comedian Trey Sancho.

Chairman of the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee (New York), Rickford Burke, has called on the Guyanese Diaspora to “unite and join the celebration.” He emphasised that Guyanese must be mobilised and ready to demonstrate full confidence in our government and country by turning out in large numbers at the parade and concert. Burke posited that Guyanese pride is at an all time high and that every national must continue to ‘Fan The Flame of Guyanese Patriotism’ and work together to realise Guyana’s Moto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny!”

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