Guyanese prepare for Unity March
Members of organizations in the Guyanese diaspora, pictured, after joining the Guyana Unity Movement, (GUN),
to plan the August 11, Unity March on Church Avenue., Brooklyn. From left, Clement Yhap, Leonard McClean, Sr.
VP, GUM, Ervin “Washy” Washington, Kamla Asha Balbachan, Burgette Williamsforde, President of GUM, Sherif
Barker-Fraser, Keith Langhorne, Sean Skeffers, and Sean “Flash” Gordon. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Myrie hosts rapid response to ICE raids
Caribbean L BQ ife, Aug. 2–8, 2019 3
By Tangerine Clarke
The Guyana Unity Movement (GUM)
is setting the stage for an expected
monumental Unity March on Church
Avenue, Brooklyn, Aug. 11, to send a
message, that Guyanese are in support
of the Coalition Government for a second
term in office.
Under the theme: UNITY, the parade
will kick-off at the corner of New York
and Church avenues, at 11 am, and
led by ‘youth’ who are the focus of
the Coalition’s mandate, as it prepares
for up-coming general and regional
elections.
President of GUM, Sherif Barker-
Fraser, welcomed a wide cross-section
of organizations and support groups
from the diaspora at a July 27 forum
in Brooklyn, to unite for a common
cause, that will see Guyanese joining
hands as they march East along Church
Avenue, ending at Schenectady & Church
avenues.
The Unity March will be followed by a
massive cultural presentation showcasing
Guyanese artistes, Adrian Dutchin,
Suflantis, Chutney singing sisters, and
others to show pride, patriotism, love of
country, and unity among Guyanese.
“We came together to support this
March, just as we did in 2015. It was the
idea of GUM, back then, but we reached
out to the diaspora and collaboratively,
we were successful in executing the
Unity March, attracting thousands of
Guyanese, who came out in droves for
unity,” recalled Barker-Fraser.
“Unity” principles guide every aspect
of the work the organization does in
the community, as such GUM felt it
was very important to host this Unity
March once again, with the support of
groups in the diaspora which will join
expatriates, to show togetherness, and
Guyana’s development.”
Barker-Fraser, president of GUM,
urged expatriates to come out with their
flags to represent their country at a
recent gathering in Brooklyn, to finalize
the Sunday, Aug. 11, Unity Parade and
rally, schedule to start at 11 am, at
the corners of New York and Church
avenues, Brooklyn.
Attended by social media members,
the PNC-R, APNU / AFC North America
Support Group, GUM members and
others, Barker-Fraser lauded the groups
for coming together, stating that the
first Unity Parade in 2015, planned by
GUM, who worked collaboratively, and
saw success, with thousands of citizens
participating in the event, after just
three weeks of planning.
She recalled, due to the momentous
occasion, which was the APNU+AFC
Coalition victory in the 2015 election,
energy was high, as such, she is hoping
that Guyanese will bring those same
sentiments to this Unity March, for
another triumphant parade.
Senior VP of GUM, Ervin ‘Washy”
Washington reiterated that Guyanese
have vested interest in what is taking
place in Guyana, and called on citizens
to unite.
“We organized a rally in 2015, which
was hugely successful, and that was to
celebrate the victory of the Coalition
government. We asked for change in
2015, we contributed to that change,
and we got it. Now we need to keep the
change,” said Washington, adding.
“We must keep that change by
showing citizens in Guyana that they
have our support, 100 percent. We are
holding a rally, because we want the
government to continue the work it is
doing for all Guyanese. That is the sole
purpose of this parade.”
“House to house registration is taking
place. The government got citizens
aligned with the process. We Guyanese
are here because of our vested interested
in our homeland, we have to show that
support, by bringing everyone together
so we could get other Guyanese across
the diaspora, to come out and show
that support. It is a Unity Rally,” said
Washington.
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie,
in collaboration with Congresswoman,
Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and City
Council Member Carlos Menchaca,
on July 17 hosted a rapid response
session for community leaders working
to protect immigrant communities and
keeping families together.
Myrie, who represents the 20th
Senatorial District in Brooklyn, said
that ICE’s announced raids mobilized
communities across New York City to
educate immigrants about their rights
and connect them to services.
“Yet, the threat of arrest and
deportation will not abate after this
current ramp up, and there is an
opportunity now to share best practices
so that community leaders can fashion
their current efforts into ongoing rapid
response units,” Myrie said.
“We will not yield to any act of
this administration,” he added. “This
administration wants us to hit the panic
button but we’re hitting the streets
instead.”
Velázquez said “there is fear right
now among immigrant communities.”
“While I understand why my
neighbors are concerned, the best thing
we can do in advance of these ICE raids
is make sure everyone is aware of their
rights and where they can turn for
help.
“This event served as a valuable
information clearinghouse to train
up community leaders and others on
how to tap into these resources and
what to do if there are ICE raids,” she
said. “In coming weeks, my office will
continue working to spread the word
and make sure all New Yorkers know
their rights.”
Menchaca, chair of the City Council
Committee on Immigration, said the
raids are “serious, but make no mistake:
this is the clearest proof yet that the
Trump Administration is afraid.”
“The courts are dismantling their
deportation machine bit by bit,” he said.
“Congress is finally putting a spotlight
on the insanity occurring in detention
facilities. And the American people are
coming together like never before to
stand against this cruelty.
“The rapid response session is another
example of this resolve,” he added.
“Together, we will ensure New York City
remains a sanctuary for everyone.”
Myrie said that, at the session,
representatives from government
and community-based organizations
provided attendees with best practices
for organizing rapid response teams
and referring people to city services.
In addition to legal and government
services, he said the session focused
on mental health resources, “given the
special trauma the threat of ICE raids
are causing the immigrant community
as a whole.”
Important government, legal, mental
health, and other city resources, in
multiple languages, and how to access
them included: Know Your Rights
information; how to report ICE activity;
how to secure city-funded bond for
immigrants already in detention; how to
report fraudulent lawyers or businesses
taking advantage of immigrants; and
how to connect with free professionals
who can help with stress, trauma and
anxiety.