From left: José Francisco, Adrian Cacho, Evelyn Arauz-Chamorro and Arnol Guity-Martinez.
Photograph by Qaasim Barefield, QLICK Images
Photograph by Qaasim Barefield, QLICK Images
New York Metropolis Council on Wednesday, April 10, joined the Bronx-based Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. within the celebration of Garifuna heritage at Metropolis Corridor.
Amongst elected officers on the ceremony have been: New York Metropolis Speaker Adrienne E. Adams; Majority Chief Amanda Farías; and Council Members Althea Stevens, Crystal Hudson, Rita Joseph, Julie Menin, Kevin, Pierina Ana Sanchez and Natasha Williams.
“The Garifunas are an Afro-indigenous ethnic group with roots in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” stated Stevens, who represents the 16th District within the Bronx. “New York is dwelling to the biggest Garifuna inhabitants exterior of Central America, with roughly 250,000.
“Over half the inhabitants resides within the Bronx, making it the biggest focus of Garifunas in New York Metropolis,” she added.
José Francisco Ávila, chairman of the Board of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., advised Caribbean Life on Sunday that the celebration was in observance of the 227th anniversary of “the forcible displacement of the Garifuna individuals by the British from their ancestral homeland of St. Vincent ‘Yurumein’ (presently referred to as St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to Central America in 1797 and the celebration of Garifuna-American Heritage Month from March 11 – April 12, which celebrates Garifuna heritage, tradition and contributions.”
In the course of the ceremony, Ávila stated Stevens, Sanchez and Joseph honored Arnol Guity-Martinez, Adrian Cacho and Evelyn Arauz-Chamorro for “the wonderful work that they’re doing.”
He stated the night additionally included performances by the Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater.
Ávila stated the celebration marked the conclusion of Garifuna Heritage Month in New York.
Regardless of migrating to New York for the reason that Thirties, Stevens stated, “the neighborhood was not acknowledged till the tragedy struck on March 25, 1990, throughout the Comfortable Land Social Membership.”
She stated a lot of the 87 victims have been of Garifuna ancestry.
“Sadly, because it normally occurs with individuals of shade, it’s not till a tragedy occurs that issues involves the forefront,” Stevens advised the ceremony.
“However, once more, I need to say that I’m simply so blissful that I’ve the biggest inhabitants of Garifunas within the Bronx, as a result of the truth is we’re the identical individuals, and the Bronx has such a wealthy and numerous tradition,” she added. “And let’s be clear, you guys add to the tradition and fantastic thing about it.”
