Rickford Burke, president of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), addresses a whole bunch of Guyanese at a rally in Brooklyn in early 2020
Picture by: Nelson A. King
Rickford Burke, chairman of the Brooklyn-based Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York, says that his group will host the official annual celebration of Guyana’s 58th Anniversary of Independence on Sunday, August 18, in Brooklyn.
Burke, who can also be president of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), instructed Caribbean Life on Tuesday that the celebration includes the Independence Parade, Flag-Elevating and Award Ceremonies, and the grand Guyana Independence Unity Live performance.
“We’re all the time glad to rejoice our Guyanese tradition and to advertise the nation to the world, despite our vital political variations,” he mentioned. “We come collectively to rejoice our independence and freedom from colonialism.”
Burke mentioned the parade begins at Church and Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn at 12:00 midday, and proceeds east on Church Avenue to Utica Avenue, then south on Utica Avenue to Glenwood Highway, the place it ends.
Burke mentioned the Independence Unity Live performance will begin at 2:00 p.m. at 1450 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203, between Glenwood Highway and Farragut Highway.
The Flag-Elevating and Award ceremonies will precede the live performance, Burke mentioned. He mentioned the live performance will function outstanding Guyanese DJs and artistes, in addition to a Caribbean worldwide celebrity artiste.
Burke mentioned the Guyana Independence Committee New York will, on the Award Ceremony, current the customary Kaieteur Award of Distinction and United States Congressional Proclamations to excellent Guyanese at house and within the Diaspora for his or her “excellent service to the Guyanese-American Group, and their contribution to the event of our nation and tradition.”
He mentioned among the many 20 excellent honorees are: Dean of the College of Legislation of the College of the West Indies at St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago Alicia Elias; Mark Benschop, former political prisoner and broadcast journalist; Dr. Gary Stephens, chief medical officer, One Brooklyn Well being System, Interfaith Hospital; Vibert “Cokie” Bernard, proprietor of Sybil’s Restaurant in Richmont Hill, Queens; Shemar Joseph, West Indies quick bowler; Amanzo Walton Desir, Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of International Affairs; Akhenation “Younger Brudda” Lewis, worldwide reggae celebrity; and Brandon Parker, principal of Ivy Hill Prep Constitution College in Brooklyn.
“This celebration is the most important Guyanese celebration outdoors of Guyana and the second largest West Indian celebration in New York Metropolis after the Labor Day Parade,” Burke mentioned.
“Every year, our celebration attracts hundreds of attendees, and over a million on-line viewers by way of our web site and social media,” he added. “We look ahead to all Guyanese and pals of Guyana celebrating our nation’s independence journey with the Diaspora.”
For extra info, go to celebrateguyananyc.com.
