J’Ouvert to return for 2022
By Nelson A. King
The Brooklyn-based J’Ouvert
City International, Inc., organizer
of the annual Caribbean
J’Ouvert celebration in Brooklyn,
says it’s officially back for
2022.
The organization, headed by
Trinidadian Yvette Rennie, said
in a statement on its Facebook
page on Nov. 12, that it was
“proud to announce that our
2022 J’Ouvert is officially back
after two years dormant due to
the COVID epidemic.
“This spectacular event helps
to generate over 500 million dollars
into New York’s economy
during the Labor Day season,” it
said. “We applaud our 32 affiliated
organizations, masquerade,
steel band and rhythm for their
dedication and concerns for the
health and welfare of our communities
at large during this
difficult period.”
J’Ouvert City International,
Inc. also said it was “negotiating
for an extension of our J’Ouvert’s
route – new starting point Barclays
Center Arena- Flatbush and
Atlantic Ave., ending Nostrand &
Clarkson Ave.”
On Dec. 29, Rennie said; “As
we begin another political era in
New York there are changes.
“On behalf of J’Ouvert City
International, Inc. and its affiliated
organizations, masquerade
bands steelbands, rhythm,
organizers, and promoters, I take
this opportunity to thank the
Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio,
Brooklyn Borough President Eric
Adams and other elected officials
for their collaborative support
to ensure that we were able to
keep our Caribbean cultural celebrations
alive and New Yorkers
safe,” she said in a statement on
Facebook.
“For the past six years, these
two City government offices
and elected officials’ offices rallied
with us as a united front,
put safety measures in place,
and confronted some gentrifies
from our communities who were
lobbying to stop our beautiful
theatre of the streets, J’Ouvert,
carnival, pan yards, mas camps,
parties, boat rides, calypso, soca
and reggae concerts,” she added.
“These strategies helped to keep
J’Ouvert/carnival alive and safe.
We say thank you.
“From Jan. 1, 2022, New
York City is under the leadership
of the newly elected Mayor
Eric Adams...we hope that the
collaboration with these two
City government offices, elected
officials, J’Ouvert City International
Inc, and the cultural
community will be sustained
to ensure that our cultural celebrations
continue in Brooklyn.,”
she said.
Caribbean Life, January 7-13, 2022 3
By Tangerine Clarke
Ambassador of the United
States to Guyana Sarah-Ann
Lynch said the United States
has been distributing vaccines
to Guyana since the Coronavirus
pandemic started, working with
Guyanese, and the Guyana government.
To date, the US has donated
288,990 vaccines to the Republic.
“
In the early days we provided,
some PPE, then we went
on to provide the very necessary
refrigerators to store the
vaccines safely,” said Lynch, in a
recent interview with the Guyana
media. “Then we provided tents
so when people were waiting for
the vaccination, they didn’t have
to endure the elements.”
“We have been providing all
those things along the way,”
she said, adding that the United
States AID has also helped with
messaging to encourage people
to get the vaccination, based
around wearing masks and sanitizing.
“We’ve been here throughout
the pandemic, working with
Guyana, and we are so pleased
to mostly provide a lot of vaccines,”
said Lynch. “Guyana has
done well with vaccination — it
is now time to turn those vaccines,
into vaccinations. So, we
really want to encourage people,
to get the jab, to get their booster,
if needed, and do so today, if it’s
possible.”
She then wished all Guyanese
a Merry Christmas and reminded
citizens once again to get vaccinated.
In his New Year’s speech,
President of Guyana Dr. Mohamed
Irfaan Ali announced that
441,000 citizens received the
first dose of the COVID-19 shot,
317,000 have received the second
dose, and 11,000 have been inoculated
with the booster shot.
The U.S. government announced on Aug. 11, 2021 it will deliver
Pfi zer vaccines to the Caribbean.
Associated Press/John Locher, File
US donates 288990
vaccines to Guyana to
fight COVID-19
J’Ouvert City International, Inc./FB.