FREE | PAGES: 12 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com SIGN UP FOR OUR EPAPER @ epaper.jamaica-gleaner.com/na OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | VOL 278 TRANS-CONTINENTAL ECONOCARIBE 147-46 176 STREET, JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11434 TEL: 718-244-7447, 718-341-2900 • BARRELS • CRATES • CARTONS • FURNITURE • APPLIANCES • BUILDING SUPPLIES • MEDICAL SUPPLIES • CARS KINGSTON, MONTEGO BAY, PORT OF SPAIN - TRINIDAD, GUYANA & OTHER ISLANDS WE SHIP DIRECTLY TO: SPECIALIZING IN RETURNING RESIDENTS MISSION NEW YORK - Ja delegation touts improved, expanded economic profile, scouts for fresh investments A high-level delegation from Jamaica, led by Senator Aubyn Hill, the country’s minister of industry, investment and commerce, recently held investment discussions in New York with several private and governmental organisations, aimed at boosting investments in Jamaica. An iconic Bronx-based institution, the Wembley Athletic Sports Club, has closed its doors after more than 50 years of operation. P10: Judith Gayle launches eighth studio album THE NORTH AMERICAN BRANDED CONTENT EDITION P6: Jamaica Fest takes over Washington, DC P11: Dr. Bryan Smith among 2023-2024 White House Fellows P3: Wembley Athletic Sports Club closed >P3 VOL 2050
APPLICATIONS ARE now open for the GraceKennedy 2024 Jamaican Birthright Summer Internship Programme, with the application period to close on November 30. Under the programme, university students of Jamaican descent from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America will participate in a five-week professional internship in Jamaica between June 28 and August 7, 2024. The internship provides a unique opportunity for the students to anchor their Jamaican roots, through cultural immersion trips known as Heritage Pathway tours. Senator Don Wehby, Group CEO of GraceKennedy Ltd (GKF), explained, “The Birthright Programme is an excellent opportunity for young people of Jamaican descent to connect with their Jamaican heritage in a meaningful way. The participants not only gain valuable professional experience, but also develop a deeper appreciation for Jamaica’s rich culture. Birthright always proves to be a mutually rewarding experience for both the participants and our GK team who interact with them. I look forward to engaging with the young interns every year.” Applicants for the 2024 GK Birthright Programme must be a second or third generation Jamaican, i.e., have either Jamaican parentage or grand parentage; between the ages of 18 and 25 years; pursuing either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, with a grade ‘B’ average or higher. Additionally, Birthright applicants should not have lived in Jamaica for longer than six months, and must be passionate about learning about their Jamaican heritage and getting actively involved in diaspora activities, a release to the media noted. For more information on the GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme and how to apply, persons are invited to visit www.bit.ly/ GKBirthright. Interested persons may also send queries via email to gkfoundation@gkco.com. THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 3 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer JAMAICAN COMMUNITY leaders in Florida are raising the alarm about an immigration bill that was passed in the Sunshine State last Friday, pointing out that it will have a “chilling” effect on immigrants, legal and non-legal alike. Democrats have argued that the bill could lead to racial profiling, arguing that immigration laws are the purview of the federal government, not the state. But Republican supporters say it is aimed at forcing the federal government to address an “invasion” of migrants into the country. The bill, which includes a number of provisions requested by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, bars Florida local governments from spending taxpayer dollars on identification cards for people who cannot provide proof of citizenship. It also invalidates a driver’s licence issued by another state to someone who cannot prove their citizenship; requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a question on intake forms about the patient’s citizenship status; removes a provision previously signed into law by former Governor Rick Scott that allows undocumented law school graduates admission to The Florida Bar; increases penalties for human trafficking-related offences; and requires anyone in the custody of law enforcement who is subject to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement immigration retainer to submit a DNA sample to a statewide database. The bill also prohibits counties and municipalities from providing funds to any person, entity, or organisation to issue identification documents to an individual who does not provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. The bill also increases sanctions against businesses that hire undocumented immigrants, allow state law-enforcement officials to conduct random audits of businesses’ compliance with the law, and increase penalties for human smuggling. It also increases the maximum fine for a first violation of specified provisions relating to employing, hiring, recruiting, or referring undocumented immigrants for private or public employment. One of the bill’s more contentious provisions is to require businesses with 25 or more workers to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of employees. ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR Jamaican immigration attorney Michelle Fanger, who is based in Jacksonville, said the measure will drive people underground and create an atmosphere of fear. “As proposed, you cannot harbour anyone who is out of status and you will be subjected to fine and possible deportation,” she told The Gleaner last week ahead of its passing. She noted that it would also prevent undocumented immigrants from seeking medical treatment. “It means that we will have many sick people unable to seek medical help, and this could result in outbreaks of diseases that could be easily treated,” said Fanger. She said that undocumented people already working would now fear going to work, noting that this could affect the state’s agricultural sector. Dale Holness, the Jamaica-born former mayor of Broward County, also decried the measure, saying that what it is aimed at doing is giving Republicans a chance to win elections. He told The Gleaner that the late George Wallace “tried the same tactics and it backfired, so I am at a loss to understand why the DeSantis government would be attempting this in this day and age”. He said that the measure will have a chilling effect on legal and illegal immigrants and drive people underground at a time when progress is being made to try and bring people out of the shadows. Holness noted that the measures will not only hurt immigrants, but the entire population. “They are being shortsighted, and I believe that it will be challenged in court and overturned,” he said. “What they are seeking to do is make monsters out of immigrants and create a climate of fear among the white population.” He noted that community-based organisations in Florida, which issue certain IDs to seniors and people coming out of prison and are seeking to restore their identities, could find funding cut off under the bill. Corey Shearer, director of Florida’s Community Partnership Outreach, said that the measure is already having a chilling effect. “It is mean and isolationist. It is trying to play to the fears of the white section of the population and threatens the progress that is being made,” he told The Gleaner. Shearer, who is the son of the late Jamaica-born South Florida activist Jasmin Barnaby, said that community leaders must make people aware of such bills and push back against these types of measures. A similar bill for the House, which is almost identical to the one approved by the Senate, could be on the floor for a vote as soon as this week. If approved, it goes to DeSantis, and once he signs it, the law would become effective on July 1. editorial@gleanerjm.com Kimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter THE MAJORITY of women working on the seasonal farm work programme in Canada have poured scorn on Jamaican liaison officers there, asserting that the group mandated to ensure that they are treated fairly has been unethical and unresponsive to challenges they face. Fifty-two per cent of the 44 women surveyed during a fact-finding mission approved by the Jamaican Government said that they were dissatisfied with the Jamaica Liaison Service. The figure is just above that of their male counterparts, with 44 per cent of 396 surveyed indicating that they, too, were not satisfied. The findings were published in the fact-finding report tabled in the House of Representatives last Tuesday. The issues cited by workers included liaison officers not being easily accessible, responsive, or interactive. Workers also said that they were not ethical in their approach and did not ensure that issues they had were resolved. They noted, too, that liaison officers lacked compassion. Currently, there are only 13 liaison officers for the programme despite farms being far apart. Approximately 10,000 Jamaicans are part of the seasonal programme, which began in 1966, and are spread across 655 farms in 10 provinces. Three former female workers, who spoke to The Gleaner on condition of anonymity, one of whom is still “fighting” for medical treatment from her former employer, called liaison officers “sellouts” and claimed that their loyalty was to supervisors and employers. The women, who were in their 30s at the time they went on the programme roughly a decade ago, said that they were engaged in picking strawberries and apples. One woman told The Gleaner that she fell from a ladder while thinning apples, and suffered a brain and leg injury as a result. She noted that she has remained in the North American country four years later and is fighting to get assistance in accordance with her contract. “The liaison officers are not supposed to be there because they are not doing what they are put there to do,” she said. “It is unfair that CDN$75 is drawn out of your salary every fortnight to pay somebody who is standing in front of your employer telling them that if they have any issues, it’s because of where we come from,” she added. She alleged that after her injuries, a liaison officer submitted a report falsely indicating that she was well. The woman said that this has resulted in her being unable to get treatment. Additionally, she said that a request for the results of her medical done prior to her arriving in Canada, which she said would prove that she was healthy on arrival, was denied. “I was told to get off the phone and that I was bright and out of order and ‘renk’ and that I shouldn’t call back their phone … . These liaison officers have been doing a lot of damage to us as migrant farmworkers. They have been crushing us. They are not for us. They are for the employers,” she claimed. She said also that officers rarely responded to issues they were having, but noted, however, that they would report those who had complained to employers. “There was no confidentiality between you and the liaison. Basically, them sell out,” she charged. She rubbished the mission of the factfinding team, which travelled from Jamaica last September to investigate reports of abuse, calling it a “hoax”. “How will you get the facts by telling people that you are coming and getting them to polish up?” she questioned. She said “threatened” workers will not be honest about their treatment because they do not want to lose the opportunity to earn. KNEE INJURIES Another former worker said she was forced to pay out of pocket to treat a ligament injury to her knee because a liaison officer allegedly downplayed her injury. She told The Gleaner that she picked up the injury while kneeling to pick strawberries. “What I told [the officer] is not what was in the report,” the woman said. She said that as a result, her employer did not pay for her treatment because the report said that she was well. She was sent home at the end of the season, a month after she picked up the injury. The third woman alleged that she had to beg ‘SELLOUTS’ Florida legislature targets immigrants, allies J’CAN ACTIVISTS SOUND ALARM AS ... Dale Holness, the Jamaica-born former mayor of Broward County. FILE Jamaican farmworkers disembark a Government bus at the Norman Manley International airport. RICARDO MAKYN/MULTIMEDIA PHOTO EDITOR Former farm workers lash liaison service, claim Canadian employers denied liability for injuries PLEASE SEE FARMER, P7 moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Moya Thomas THE MONTHLY GLEANER | MAY 4 - JUNE 7, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS THE ULSTER Spring Health Centre in Trelawny has been adopted by the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey (JON-J), which aims to spend J$1 million each year on the facility. The first J$1-million payment was made last year and another is currently being processed. While the adoption is for a period of two years, the organisation is looking to extend its support to the clinic. According to Owen Eccles, president of JON-J, the organisation intends to partner with Friends of Trelawny, the Rotary Club of Falmouth and other groups, locally and abroad, to improve the infrastructure, equipment and supplies to the health centre to benefit patients and staff at the health centre. He said adoption of the health centre is a gateway to further assist the patients and staff. “We will do a needs analysis with information from the various stakeholders to determine how we can further assist the clinic,” he said. JON-J has sought and receive assistance from such organisations such as Jah Jah Foundation, Help Jamaica Medical Mission and Caribbean Medical Mission, among others. Last month, members of JON-J travelled to Trelawny for the unveiling of the plaque marking the organisation’s sponsoring of the health centre. Also in attendance were Sharon Lewars, past president for Bergen County Chapter and state board member; Kareen Ogunmakinwa, president – Passaic County Chapter; Ayodele Ogunmakinwa Errol Kerr, past president – Passaic County Chapter & treasurer of Passaic Chapter; Judith Gaynor, Evrol Edwards and Esther Edwards,Carline Officer-Francis (visiting from England) and Fidia Haro (from Peru). Recently, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, who has responsibility for the diaspora, said there were some 100 clinics across the island that were in need of adoption. “Forty-five clinics have already been adopted (by the diaspora) but there are still some 100 clinics that can be adopted,” she said during a community meeting held at the Jamaican Consulate. She pointed out that Jamaicans adopting clinics in island would assist in improving healthcare delivery at the community level and help ensure that Jamaicans are better cared for. Lester Hinds Applications open for 2024 GraceKennedy Birthright summer internship From left: Trudy Chin, general manager of Caribbean Airlines’ Jamaica; Professor Gordon Shirley, chairman of GraceKennedy Ltd; Bianca Byfield, 2023 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright intern (USA); N. Nick Perry, United States ambassador to Jamaica; Logan Wright, 2023 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright intern (USA); Alando Terrelonge, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade; Samaya Miller, 2023 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright intern (Canada); Donovan White, director of tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board; Ras.I. Martin, 2023 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright intern (United Kingdom); and Andrew Messado, Group CFO, GraceKennedy Ltd. CONTRIBUTED Ulster Spring health clinic adopted by Jamaican Organization of New Jersey Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade. FILE LINCOLN DOWNER has been appointed Jamaica’s High Commissionerdesignate to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. High Commissioner Downer will take up his assignment in Abuja in October, fresh from a tour of duty as Consul General in Toronto, Canada. A career foreign service officer for over 25 years, he has honed his craft through assignments at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, as well as through representational duties at the Jamaican High Commission in London and the Consulate General in New York. High Commissioner-designate Downer also spent four years at the Passport Department of the Ministry of National Security as Customer Service Manager. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies. The high commissioner-designate has accrued substantial experience dealing with the Diaspora in the jurisdictions in which he served. “He is expected to apply the energy and dynamism for which he is known to carry forward the vision of the ministry for enhanced Diaspora engagement across the several countries to which he will be accredited,” said Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. “He will also be mandated to strengthen bilateral relations with these countries and to further the Economic Diplomacy Programme with the continent.” Lincoln Downer appointed high commissioner to Nigeria Downer FILE
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 3 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer A HIGH-LEVEL delegation from Jamaica, led by Senator Aubyn Hill, the country’s minister of industry, investment and commerce, recently held investment discussions in New York with several private and governmental organisations, aimed at boosting investments in Jamaica. Coordinated by the Jamaican Consulate in New York, in collaboration with JAMPRO New York’s office, the 39-member delegation, representing some 29 companies from various sectors, aimed to expand Jamaica’s presence on the global stage and, in turn, bolster the Jamaican economy. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Hill said Jamaica was not looking for loans, but investments to grow the economy “We had to go through very tough and bitter doses of medicine, fiscal medicine, to get our house back in order. Now, everything seems to be going well and it’s not because we do believe in providence, but it’s also because of a great deal of good and serious management,” he told the news outlet. He said the country wants to be in a position where the market is looking for new ‘paper’ from Jamaica with anticipation. “It is a very good place to be. We worked hard at it,” he said. The events in New York were aimed at showcasing the commitment of both the Jamaican Government and its business community to stimulate economic growth. All members of the delegation said they were driven by a common goal to enhance their footprint and, by extension, contribute to Jamaica’s economic prosperity. The Consulate General of Jamaica served as the venue for several crucial events during the delegation’s visit. On September 25, a high-profile business networking event was held, attracting a diverse array of local business leaders keen on forging meaningful connections with their Jamaican counterparts On September 26, the delegation engaged in pivotal meetings with representatives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. These discussions were aimed at fostering opportunities for cross-border investments and partnerships, aligning the interests of both regions for mutual growth. An equally significant event was the ‘Doing Business with Jamaica Luncheon’. The delegation had the chance to interact with potential investors and partners, showcasing the diverse range of opportunities available in Jamaica’s thriving business landscape. The luncheon not only facilitated networking but also underscored the attractiveness of Jamaica as a strategic destination for business expansion. The Jamaican team also included Shullette Cox, president of JAMPRO, and Kellie-Dawn Hamilton, interim CEO of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA). Following the New York engagements, the delegation set its sights on London, continuing their mission to promote Jamaica as a thriving hub for business and investment. editorial@gleanerjm.com NEW YORK: AN ICONIC Bronx-based institution, the Wembley Athletic Sports Club, has closed its doors after more than 50 years of operation. President of the facility, Addiambo Balewa confirmed the closure but offered no explanation for the shutdown which took place last Friday. “The club is not open at this time but I have no authority to say anything about it at this time,” the president told The Gleaner. It is understood that the club was forced to close due to financial problems and that the property is up for sale or has already been sold. Founded in the 1950s by a group of Jamaicans looking to engage in sporting activities especially cricket, football and table tennis, it eventually evolved into a space that also catered to civic functions. Starting as a members’ only club, it has played host to several Jamaican sporting personalities and elected officials. The Wembley Club acquired its own property on East 239 Street in the Bronx, after years of tenancy on White Plains Road in the Brown. POOR MANAGEMENT Several community leaders expressed disappointment but no surprise at the latest development. Immigration consultant, Irwine Clare said: “We have a legacy of losing assets in our community.” He sees the closure as diminishing the presence of Jamaican communitybased organisations, but reasoned that it was inevitable as organisations in general were not attracting new and younger members, and received little community support. “We sing the praises of young Jamaicans making good but they do not show up joining our organisations and I have to wonder why this is so.” He says the community most often loses prized assets as it does not unite in support of its organisations. Jeff Barnes, attorney and radio show host, a long time member of the club agreed that the club’s main issues included an aged membership, and lack of interest among new people, but also poor leadership. “It is a combination of poor management, lack of attracting new members and reduced financial support. It is disappointing that we are nowhere near where we should be and where we want to be,” he said. “It was poorly run and did not attract the necessary talent that could turn it around,” he said. Leslie Clarke, a lifetime member of Wembley, says there had been a steady decline. He said the club had been lacking in financial support, and good management with nothing being done to turn around the fortunes of the facility. “Wembley was a great source for community unity and my hope is that it could have turned around but the management seems to have deteriorated,” he said. Former Jamaica Diaspora Council Member, Dr. Karren Dunkley said that Wembley’s closure represents not just a loss of a venerable institution but a devastating blow to the social and athletic community. “For decades Wembley served as a pivotal lever for sports access, offering programmes that nurtured local talent and fostered a sense of unity and achievement among its participants. Its dissolution eradicates a critical legacy, leaving a void that reverberates beyond the absence of a sports facilities and threatens to marginalise under served populations relying on Wembley’s social engagement and upward mobility initiatives,” she said. She called on the community to demonstrate a more concerted effort to support and preserve legacy organisations. Wembley’s closure follows on the loss of the Jamaica Police Officers headquarters that was located on Tilden Avenue in Brooklyn and the recent sale of the radio station WVIP which knocked Jamaican and Caribbean programming off the air. –L.H Jamaican delegation holds high-level investment meetings in New York Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce. FILE Pat Chin was an honouree at The Serica Initiative AAPI Next Gen Trailblazers Award held at the China Institute in New York City recently. Pictured from left are: Randy Chin, Kecia Chin, Pat Chin, Velta Lyn, Christopher Chin Jr. and Christopher Chin Sr. PHOTO BY LEONARD MCKENZIE Wembley Athletic Sports Club closed
NAIROBI, KENYA (AP): KENYAN LAWMAKERS said Wednesday that parliamentary approval is required before the deployment of police to the Kenya-led peacekeeping mission in Haiti to combat gang violence that was approved by the UN Security Council this week. Opposition lawmaker Anthony Oluoch told a session of Parliament’s lower house that the conditions for foreign deployment hadn’t been met under the National Police Act. He also said that the country’s security needs “ought to take first precedence before any foreign commitments”, alluding to the internal attacks by the East Africa-based alShabab extremist group, which has links to al-Qaida. Another lawmaker, Junet Mohamed, said the matter should be tabled in Parliament for approval “before any police officer leaves the country” for what he called a “dangerous mission”, citing Kenyan police officers’ inexperience in combating local crime. The Kenya-led peacekeeping mission to Haiti was approved in a UN Security Council Resolution on Monday, and Kenyan President William Ruto pledged “not to fail the people of Haiti”. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday thanked Ruto for “answering Haiti’s call to serve as the lead nation of the Multinational Security Support mission”, according to a readout from their call. The Kenyan Constitution states that parliamentary approval must be sought before the deployment of a national force and previous peacekeeping missions by the military have been subject to this approval. But it’s unclear if this deployment of police officers can be defined as a national force. The chairperson of the national assembly defence committee, lawmaker Nelson Koech, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that the matter would likely be tabled to a joint committee that includes the national security committee before going to parliament for approval. The Kenya-led mission would be the first time in almost 20 years that a force would be deployed to Haiti. A 2004 UN mission ended in 2017. The upcoming mission would be led by Kenya, with Jamaica, The Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda also pledging personnel. The non-UN mission would be reviewed after nine months and be funded by voluntary contributions, with the US pledging up to US$200 million. LONDON (AP): U.K. PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday proposed raising the legal age that people in England can buy cigarettes by one year, every year until it is eventually illegal for the whole population and smoking will hopefully be phased out among young people. Setting out his plan at the annual Conservative Party conference, Sunak said he wanted to “stop teenagers taking up cigarettes in the first place.” It is currently illegal for anyone to sell cigarettes or tobacco products to people under 18 years old throughout the U.K. Sunak’s office said the incremental changes would stop children who turn 14 this year and those younger than that now from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England. If Parliament approves the proposal, the legal change would only apply in England – not in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. “People take up cigarettes when they’re young. Four in five smokers have started by the time they’re 20,” he said. “Later, the vast majority try to quit ... if we could break that cycle, if we could stop the start, then we would be on our way to ending the biggest cause of preventable death and disease in our country.” The government said that smoking won’t be criminalized, and the phased changes mean that anyone who can legally buy cigarettes now won’t be prevented from doing so in the future. The number of people who smoke in the U.K. has declined by two-thirds since the 1970s, but some 6.4 million people in the country – or about 13 per cent of the population – still smoke, according to official figures. Britain’s government raised the legal age of sale for tobacco from 16 to 18 in 2007. That succeeded in reducing the prevalence of smoking among 16 and 17-year-olds by 30 per cent, Sunak’s office said. Health experts welcomed the prime minister’s plan to steadily increase the legal smoking age. A similar measure was approved in New Zealand last year. “This government’s plan to introduce ‘smoke-free generation’ legislation could become its defining legacy, righting a century-old wrong, with tobacco products being the only legally available commodity that, if used as intended, will kill over half of its lifelong users,” said Lion Shahab, an academic who co-directs the tobacco and alcohol research group at University College London. Sunak also said his government would introduce measures to restrict the availability of vapes, or e-cigarettes, to children. It is currently illegally to sell vapes to children under 18 in the U.K., but officials say youth vaping has tripled in the past three years and more children now vape than smoke. Officials will look into options, including restricting flavored vapes and regulating packaging and store displays to make the products less appealing to young people. THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 4 Reunites Lovers, Removes Spells, tell you all PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE! …and who are your FRIENDS and ENEMIES! Call NOW and get IMMEDIATE ANSWERS! 347.448.6189 MS MORGAN, SPIRITUALIST Not so fast! Residents flee their homes to escape clashes between armed gangs in the Carrefour-Feuilles district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, August 25, 2023. The United Nations Security Council approved on Oct. 2 the deployment of an international armed force to Haiti. AP Migrants sit in a queue outside The Roosevelt Hotel that is being used by the city as temporary housing, July 31, 2023, in New York. AP Opposition lawmakers say Haiti peacekeeping mission must be approved by parliament WASHINGTON (CMC): THE UNITED States has eased the entry of refugees from the Caribbean and Latin America, even as New York and other states vehemently protest the unprecedented number of Caribbean and other nationals seeking refugee and asylum status. Many of the asylum and refugee seekers arriving in New York from the southern border states are nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Guatemala. President Joe Biden has signed the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2024, setting the refugee admissions target at 125,000 for this upcoming fiscal year. “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, in accordance with Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the “Act”) (8 USC 1157), and after appropriate consultations with the Congress, I hereby make the following determinations and authorise the following actions,”said Biden in a White House Memorandum to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. “The admission of up to 125,000 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.” He said the admissions numbers shall be allocated among refugees of special humanitarian concern to the United States, in accordance with the following regional allocations: Africa – 30,000-50,000; East Asia – 10,00020,000; Europe and Central Asia – 2,000-3,000; Latin America/Caribbean – 35,000-50,000; and Near East/South Asia – 30,000-45,000. “The above allocation ranges are intended to provide flexibility as needs arise, but the total admissions among all of the regions may not exceed 125,000,” Biden told Blinken. “Upon providing notification to the Judiciary Committees of the Congress, you are hereby authorized to transfer unused admissions allocated to a particular region to one or more other regions, if there is a need for greater admissions for the region or regions to which the admissions are being transferred.” Biden said, consistent with the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, he has determined that assistance to or on behalf of persons applying for admission to the United States, as part of the overseas refugee admissions programme, will“contribute to the foreign policy interests of the United States and designate such persons for this purpose”. The easing of entry for Caribbean refugees comes as New York Governor Kathy Hochul late last week deployed an additional 150 members of the New York National Guard to support the ongoing response to the asylum seeker and migrant crisis. Hochul said the state will be able to assign 250 National Guard personnel the full-time responsibilities of case management professionals. UK prime minister wants to raise the legal age to buy cigarettes in England US eases entry for Caribbean refugees
AN OVERWHELMING majority of Jamaicans believe that term limits must be introduced for prime ministers and members of parliament (MPs), while a significant number believe that elected officials should serve no more than two terms in office. THE FINDINGS were tallied in the latest Don Anderson poll, revealing that 77.1 per cent of Jamaicans believe that the number of times a person running the country is allowed to seek re-election should be capped. In comparison, 18.2 per cent said that there should be no restrictions, while 4.7 per cent said they were not sure or did not have an opinion. Further, 54.6 per cent of those interested in term limits want the person elected as prime minister to serve no more than two terms, 25.8 per cent would allow a third term, 9.5 per cent said ‘one term only’, 6.8 per cent said ‘more than three terms’, while 3.3 per cent said that they were unsure or did not know. For members of parliament, 72 per cent of Jamaicans polled want legislation enacted to limit their time in Gordon House. Some 22.8 per cent believe that the current system should remain unchanged, while 5.1 per cent said that they were not sure or formed no opinion. Of those who called for term limits, 48.2 per cent said MPs should serve for no more than two terms and 30.2 per cent said three terms are sufficient. One term for MPs was supported by 9.5 per cent of those polled, while 9.2 per cent said they would allow the legislator to serve more than three terms. Just under three per cent (2.9%) said they were not sure or didn’t have an opinion. A total of 1,010 Jamaicans of voting age participated in the RJRGLEANER Communications Group-commissioned survey, which has a sampling error of plus or minus three per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level. Participants from all parishes were interviewed between August 30 and September 14, with approximately 25 per cent being randomly called back as part of fieldwork validation. The Government did not respond to The Gleaner’s request for comment regarding its current position on term limits, while the Opposition declined comment. CHIEF JUSTICE Bryan Sykes, in sentencing convicted gang leader Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan on Monday to 39 years and six months in prison, said it was clear from the evidence that he was the “prime mover and shaker” behind all the gang’s killings. The judge noted that the evidence presented showed that no major incidents – “certainly no murder, shootings or arson” – took place without Bryan’s approval and planning. Additionally, he said there was no hesitation on the part of the gangsters to use violence to further the ends of the criminal organisation. Bryan was found to be the leader of the One Don Gang, a splinter of the Clansman Gang. The judge further noted that the members were aware that they were participating in a gang and did nothing to suggest that they wanted to leave the gang or turn their life around. The day’s sentencing exercise started out with Bryan, who briefly delayed the proceedings after he indicated, through his lawyer, that he had a medical issue. The 38-year-old musician, who was earlier observed pumping and clutching his chest and appeared to be experiencing some discomfort, was removed from the dock but returned soon after. Bryan, who last week publicly admitted to being the leader, was given 21 years and six months for leadership of a criminal organisation. He was also sentenced to 11 and a half years each for facilitating the commission of murder and arson in relation to the shooting death of a couple in Fisheries, St Catherine. He was also slapped with 10 and 12 years, respectively, for facilitating the commission of conspiracy of murder and murder by a criminal organisation in connection with the shooting death of a man called ‘Outlaw’. The judge also sentenced the gang leader to six and a half years for facilitating the gang’s commission of murder in relation to the killing of ‘Doolie’ on Chancery Street in St Andrew, and another six and a half years for facilitating the murder of a Rastafarian man, and four and a half years for the murder of an unknown person. Justice Sykes ruled that the sentences for the leadership and for Outlaw’s murder are to run consecutively, while the others are to run at the same time as the prisoner term for leading the gang. Bryan’s sentences were all reduced by five and a half years for time spent in custody since before his trial, starting in September 2021. Bryan’s cousin, Tomrick Taylor, was also sentenced to nine years and six months for being a member of the gang. Four other convicts – Michael Whitely, Brian Morris, Dylon McLean and Lamar Simpson – were also sentenced Monday. Whitely, a 25-year-old chef, was sentenced to 16 years for being a member and for his role in the murder of a Rastaman in Jones Avenue, St Catherine. Morris, who was the lead shooter in that same incident, was sentenced to of 18 months and six months, respectively, for being a member and for his role in the shooting. McLean, who was among a group of gangsters armed with Molotov cocktails and guns before the killing of the couple and torching of their house at Fisheries, St Catherine, was ordered to serve seven years and three months for being part of a criminal organisation and two counts of facilitating the commission of a serious offence by such an organisation Simpson was sentenced to one year and six months for being a member of a criminal organisation. The judge found that on the evidence he was only involved in an unsuccessful search for a murder target and had good social enquiry and community reports. Nine convicts are left to be sentenced. Thirty-three defendants were initially hauled before the court, 17 were freed and one was killed. tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 5 BROTHER ARNOLD DIVINE MESSENGER – SPIRITUAL ADVISOR Have truth and trust in Love. Riddance yourself of Dark, Heavy unhappiness. Gain favor in Court/Immigration, Family, Health & Fertility, Career/Schooling matters Call: 929.233.8564 ANSWERS BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE Public says PMs, MPs should only serve twice – poll Sykes: ‘Blackman’ was force behind reign of terror THE GOVERNMENT on Tuesday halted a 179 per cent increase in the stipend for senators, announcing that a new basis for determining adjustments is to be finalised. The proposed increase in the stipend, which would have moved payments per sitting from $53,000 to $148,000, was outlined in a letter from the Clerk to the Houses of Parliament Valrie Curtis. In a statement on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke said the increase will not be implemented. He said that he has directed that the letter dated September 14, 2023, be rescinded. Clarke said that the correspondence from the clerk followed from a Cabinet decision of 2008 that automatically indexed the stipend of the senators to the highest fee paid for service as a board director of a public body. He said immediately prior to this 2008 decision, senators were being paid $1,000 per meeting and the highest public body board fee was $6,000 per meeting. The highest board fee outlined was $74,000, according to Curtis’ letter, which was addressed to President of the Senate Tom Tavares-Finson. It was copied to Leader of Government Business Kamina Johnson Smith and Leader of Opposition Business Peter Bunting. Clarke said that when public body board fees were last increased in 2019, Senate stipends were automatically adjusted as per the 2008 Cabinet decision and these took effect on April 1, 2020. The decision comes four months after the political directorate raked in huge salary increases, with compensation to members of parliament and Cabinet ministers surging past 200 per cent. The Government has been hammered for months over the hike, which it said was important to incentivise performance. On Tuesday, the Opposition objected to the announced increase for senators and called for a review. Gov’t puts massive hike in senators’ stipend on hold Dr Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 6 WASHINGTON, DC: THE VIBRANT colours and pulsating rhythms of Jamaica permeated the bustling heart of Washington, DC, recently. The Jamaican Embassy, in a brilliant display of art, music, and culture, hosted the Jamaica Fest on Sunday, September 17, marking an iconic event in celebration of the island’s 61st anniversary of independence. Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland was transformed to resonate with the lively spirit of Jamaica. As reggae beats filled the air and colourful flags swayed to the rhythm, it was evident that Jamaica Fest was not just another event on the calendar; it was a grand display of the Jamaican ethos. Drawing hundreds from the district-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) metro region, the event saw Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica converge to celebrate and remember their roots. The plaza morphed into a sprawling market, with over 30 booths, each echoing the essence of the island. On display were intricate art and craft pieces, while tantalising aromas led to stalls serving mouthwatering Jamaican dishes. Major sponsors, including the Sandals Group, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Giant Foods, and EMD Sales, lent their support, underlining the magnitude and significance of the event. Speaking on the occasion, the deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Jamaica Lishann Salmon, elucidated the deeper intent behind the fest. “JAMAICA Fest is more than a celebration: it’s a beacon promoting Jamaica as the ultimate tourist destination,” she remarked. Representatives from the tourism sector were in full attendance, eager to share the wonders of the island and entice visitors with attractive packages. But more than just a promotional event, the fest bore a profound sense of purpose. The mission-driven initiative was set on supporting the less privileged in Jamaica. The joy, laughter, and festivities of the day would transcend boundaries, as proceeds from the fest would be directed to select charitable organisations in Jamaica, handpicked by the Embassy. As the sun set on Veterans Plaza, the beats grew louder, the dances wilder, and the spirit of Jamaica Fest unfaltering. It was a day when Washington, DC, tasted the culture of Jamaica, strengthening bonds and fostering connections. It was a day when the Jamaican community showcased its heritage, reminding everyone of the island’s rich legacy and its promising future. Patrons were entertained by Jamaica’s two-time festival winner Roy Rayon who gave a commanding performance and was well received by the audience. He was supported by Ras Slick and the DBC Crew, the Sarge Band, DJ GNice, Jason Frass, and Maverick, among others. Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks places her order from a jerk chicken vendor at Jamaica Fest Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. DERRICK SCOTT/PHOTOGRAPHER Members of staff at the Embassy of Jamaica along with Kirk Wright, Jamaica Tourist Board business development officer for northeast USA, Melissa Baker, Makeda Reynolds, Attilah Beckford and Georgette Smith show off their dance moves at Jamaica Fest at Veterans Plaza downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. DERRICK SCOTT/PHOTOGRAPHER Jamaican-American Laurie-Anne Sayle, the first black woman to be elected Council member At-Large in the Montgomery County Council (centre), shares a light moment with, from left, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Jamaica MS Alicia Taylor, Montgomery County Council member Kate Stewart, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Jamaica Lishann Salmon after visiting the Embassy of Jamaica booth at Jamaica Fest at Veterans Plaza downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. CONTRIBUTED Patrons Jamaicans and Friends of Jamaica in a celebratory mood at Jamaica Fest Veterans Plaza downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. DERRICK SCOTT/PHOTOGRAPHER A CULTURAL EXPOSITION IN THE HEART OF WASHINGTON, DC
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS MISSED 7 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: ALANDO TERRELONGE, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, says central to his vision as chair of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council is having a strong focus on youth inclusion and power. “It is my strong belief that the young kings and queens can positively impact development once we equip them with the appropriate resources and opportunities. Sustainability of the diaspora movement and fostering affinity among the over 104,000 second-generation Jamaicans and over 42, 000 third-generation Jamaicans as well as fourth-generation Jamaicans here in Canada is therefore critically important as the demographics of the community continue to evolve,” said Terrelonge who was on his first official visit to Canada as minister of state with responsibility for diaspora affairs. He was introduced by Marsha CooreLobban, the new high commissioner of Jamaica to Canada. He was the keynote speaker at the Regional Jamaica Diaspora Conference (Canada) 2023 held at the Ebenezer Holiness Church of God in Toronto, with satellite venues in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver where he expounded on the theme of the gathering – engagement, collaboration and action. “If we fail to involve the youth of Canada of Jamaican descent, ... and if we continue to lose more stalwarts, as they continue to grow older, then it means that we would have failed to continue their legacy.” He underscored the importance of Jamaicans involving their children and grandchildren so that they can continue the legacy of their forefathers. “And so, I intend to pay special attention to empower them and let them all realise that their true birthright resides in ‘Jamaica, land we love’ and that they too must be cognisant that they can play their part, that they must play their part, in ‘advancing the welfare of the whole human race’.” The minister noted that they have recognised through the first term of the council some of the specific issues in which the youth cohort has demonstrated key interest and plan to participate. These include education, sports, technology, tourism, investment opportunities, innovation, and the creative arts. As a result, his ministry has deliberately engaged the ministries of tourism, culture, gender, entertainment and sport, and industry, investment and commerce to leverage their assets to anticipate the work by the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council as mandated by the National Diaspora Policy. He said leveraging technology is a key enabler for diaspora engagement and as they continue that approach, they must recognise that technology is one way to get everyone’s involvement. DIGITAL REGISTRATION PORTAL Minister Terrelonge said there is a digital registration portal being developed in partnership with the International Development Bank and is slated for public testing later this year. “We anticipate that the portal will be publicly launched at the upcoming tenth biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference scheduled for June in Jamaica, 2024. As one of the deliverables emerging from the Diaspora Policy, you’ll be pleased to note that this portal will provide tailored services, including outreach activities, social and economic engagement as well as streamlined data access and collection to Jamaicans in the diaspora in concert with Jamaican ministries, departments and agencies. The minister assured that the information will be confidentially held and stored in a safe environment. Speaking on the Jamaica Diaspora Engagement Model (JAMDEM), he said it is a bespoke investment portal developed in partnership with the International Organization for Migration. Terrelonge said this recognises the growing interest in investments among the diaspora, and hinted at more to come on stream over the next few months. He said the two mechanisms have been informed by Jamaicans in the diaspora and designed with them in mind. The minister said the regional conference was happening at a time when Jamaica’s Vision 2030 is becoming increasingly realised through robust policy-driven action by the Government ushering in the once struggling levels of economic and social transformation. “This has in fact created an enabled environment for investment and a great place to do business – a fact I hope all of you will consider as we deliberate today.” He lauded Jamaica being recognised as an economic giant in the region of the Caribbean and Latin America by its international multilateral partners of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, among others. “Jamaica now reports nine successive growth quarters – a feat that only Jamaica can boast across the region. It is important and I want you all to dispel the rumours, dispel the propaganda because ‘nuff tings a gwaan’ a Jamaica. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond not one teacher, not one doctor, not one policeman, not one nurse, not one civil servant, was fired in Jamaica because of the strict fiscal policy which has seen our economy growing from strength to strength in Jamaica.” The regional conference also featured a fireside chat with minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett about the future of tourism, sustainability and the challenge of climate change; the impact of racism and discrimination on Jamaican Canadians; challenges and opportunities of healthcare in Jamaica; crime and the justice system; education and the diaspora’s role in preparing Jamaican students for the future; and a plenary session examining “where do we go from here?” Dr Sylvanus Thompson, chair of the Regional Jamaica Diaspora Planning Committee, extended the welcome to everyone. The new consul general at Toronto, Kurt Davis, sang the Jamaican anthem alongside consul Younna Bailey-Magalhaes. ‘Their true birthright resides in Jamaica...’ Minister responsible for diaspora affairs underscores youth engagement Danae Peart, MC of the opening ceremony (left), and Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and minister with special responsibility for Diaspora Affairs at the conference. CONTRIBUTED
jamaica-gleaner.comRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUzNTI=