Clare said that while the recipients will not be rounded up for deportation, once again a cloud of uncertainty is hanging over their heads. “Congress must now make the ultimate decision to protect these people,” he emphasised. Rev Dr Karen Green, the Democratic nominee running for Florida’s 7th Congressional District seat on November 8 and who has helped a number of people under the DACA programme, also called on Congress to act to protect recipients. “It is time that Congress take up and pass a standalone legislation that will confer legal status on people under the programme. “How long must they live with this uncertainty? How long will Congress continue to drag its feet? If you believe that immigration is the backbone of the American society, urgent action must be taken to protect people who were brought to this country as children and now find themselves in this uncertain situation through no fault of theirs,” she argued. “Congress must act now to put an end to the uncertainty that they face. This cannot be allowed to continue,” Green insisted. Dr Karren Dunkley, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the US Northeast region, also weighed in on the court’s ruling. “The recent decision by the 5th Circuit constitutes cruel and unusual punishment for DACA recipients. It is unthinkable that thousands of individuals, including our fellow Jamaicans who contribute to the American way of life and economy, must remain in limbo. Imagine the emotional toll that the ‘not knowing’ or day-to-day uncertainty takes on these individuals’ psyches. It is both urgent and critical for Congress to enact legislation with all deliberate speed. “Congress must secure a permanent victory that protects Dreamers. Nothing less is good enough!” she insisted. editorial@gleanerjm.com THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 6 - NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 8 By Neil Armstrong AT 102, Amy Nelson, a founding member of the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), was beaming and enjoying every minute of a celebration that her family had organised to mark the milestone. In the Denham Jolly Hall – the largest of the three halls at the Jamaican Canadian Centre – with royal blue, gold and silver balloons accenting the backdrop, the centenarian sat beside her son, Norman, as family, friends, and politicians regaled her. Judy Sgro, member of parliament for Humber River–Black Creek, said Nelson always welcomed her warmly and made sure that she knew of all of the events that were happening at the centre, with the expectation that she would attend. Sgro plans to read a statement in the House of Commons acknowledging Nelson’s birthday. TomRakocevic, member of provincial parliament for Humber River–Black Creek, congratulated Nelson on her long life and thanked the former registered nurse for her work. Born in Spalding, Clarendon, Nelson received her nursing diploma at the Kingston Public Hospital Nursing School and the Victoria Jubilee Nursing School. She worked as a registered nurse at the Lionel Town Hospital, Port Maria Hospital andVictoria Jubilee Hospital, before migrating to Canada in 1959. InToronto, she worked at the Toronto General Hospital from 1959 to 1986 in various capacities. Nelson was among the first group of Jamaicans to join the JCA in 1962, and remains an active member. David Betty, president of the JCA, noted that Nelson has served on many committees of the organisation since its inception, and was the first person to chair the building committee. He said the current location of the Jamaican Canadian Centre – 995 Arrow Road – was her vision; she was steadfast in seeing to it that the industrial building that they bought was converted into what it is today. NO ORDINARY WOMAN Roy Williams, the first president of the 60-year-old JCA, said he met Nelson in 1962. Describing her as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Williams said she was “no ordinary woman” and “a gem of a woman that has served the community, the Greater Toronto Area, and across the world”. He said Nelson worked in the surgical ophthalmology department of Toronto General Hospital and became the first black woman to be a head nurse of the department. Williams said the few Jamaicans who were in Toronto in the early ‘60s met in Nelson’s apartment to talk about organising an event to celebrate Jamaica’s independence. Out of that came more meetings at her home, which led to the drafting of a constitution to form the Jamaican Canadian Association. “This lady not only did her work here, but she went abroad tomany countries with the surgical ophthalmology doctors. And she was the chef de mission in each of those cases, where she put the doctors and nurses team together, and took them tomany places in the world across many continents and many countries.” Williams recalled that, when they had The Latin Quarter Club in the Lennox Street and Bathurst area of Toronto in the 1970s, Nelson was the chef on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After retiring from nursing in 1986, Nelson became a full-time volunteer and co-founded the Caribbean Canadian Seniors Club that provides an atmosphere of camaraderie for the seniors by staging various activities. Nelson has also volunteered with the Alliance of Seniors, Seniors Advisory Committee of Service Canada, Ethnic Seniors, and, as a volunteer with Medical Mission International since 1971, she travelled to Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and Europe. Ismay Murray, of the Caribbean Canadian Seniors Club, said the group was Nelson’s joy and she received the baton from her when the centenarian relinquished the leadership. “Your long life is truly a reflection of God’s love. Your hard work, your caring and sharing have made you a cherished friend. Happy, Happy 102,” Murray told her. Responding promptly, Nelson said: “Thank you very much but we could not have done this without the support of all the others around us, so it’s a combined thing of us trying to get our black people and our Jamaicans into the system.” Valarie Steele, a past president of the JCA, said Nelson was blessed by “the Almighty and there is something wonderful about getting older and being able to stand”. Founding member of Jamaican Canadian Association feted at 102 Centenarian Amy Nelson and her son, Norman, enjoy the activities organised by members of the Jamaican Canadian Association to celebrate her 102nd birthday. PHOTO BY NEIL ARMSTRONG People rally outside the Capitol in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), during a demonstration on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Thursday, October 6. AP DIASPORA Continued from, 7
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