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Holi Festival - Phagwah
Orlando City Soccer Stadium opens and the Lions are ready to roar!!
Bonfires of Vanities
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By Kamal Abdool
ackets of vivid powders would lie on the formica kitchen table like scattered pieces pulled from a pretty patchwork quilt. Bags of iridescent green prismatic crystals glittering in the morning sunlight and bottles of scented white talcum would emerge from my mother’s sturdy vine-woven market basket, in preparation for the annual Hindu festival of Phagwah or Holi. A riot of colors that signifies the start of spring, the exhuberant celebration of Phagwah during the Hindu month Phalgun came with the immigrants who left Bhojpur and other parts of India for the tropical West Indies, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Hence Phaguwa in the distinct Bhojpuri dialect still survives as the original name of the joyous national holiday in Guyana, while Holi is derived from the Hindi. My mother, born nearly a century ago, was continuing an ancient custom, brought by her parents to their uncertain new world. These enduring traditions had their deep roots in an agrarian society where the end of winter signaled the start of new life and renewed fertility, and reinforced the belief in a natural order and constant cycle that were reassuring and reaffirming in their predictability, while comforting for the classic message of justice and good overcoming evil...Continued on Page 17
Orlando City officially opened its downtown stadium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a confetti cannon. All of the Orlando City front office, including Life-
President Phil RaRawlins, came out to watch the dream realized of symbolically opening the stadium for business. A number of Orlando ...Continued on Page 6
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L I F E S T Y L E Samuel J. Roberts, Publisher/Editor
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Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor
What Makes America Great? et us truly examine what makes America great, not again, but Great.
America is a land built on the shoulders and backs of slaves and immigrants. Every American, with the exception of the American Indians, can trace their heritage or ancestry back to somewhere else in the World. That, is simply what makes America Great. Don't take this the wrong way and I'm not trying to offend the Native American Indians by saying that America would not have been great if they were the only ones living here. On the contrary, by adding ‘US’ to America, meaning ‘US’ as every different race, religion, nationality, culture, color, and creed; that mixture makes an amazingly diverse United States (US) of America. There is no one Race or Religion or Culture that is superior to the other, there are individuals within each of the groups identified above who have done and continue to do unbelievably amazing things for this Country. The United States of America is an immigrant State, it’s that simple. Whenever I hear these politicians making these statements about the ‘Immigrants taking their job’…which immigrants, and which jobs? We’re all immigrants and we all need jobs and therefore take the jobs that we’re either qualified to do or are willing to do to survive and pay the bills. Again, it’s that simple. I remember seeing a movie a few years ago called “A Day without A Mexican”. The movie was based on the society as it exists in California but it's truly applicable to any State, County or City. California as a State went into total chaos. The director basically ran the film based on the daily lives of the citizens of California and showed life being normal when suddenly if there was a Mexican performing any job in California, he or she would just suddenly disappear. There were classrooms with kids going crazy because the teacher, a Mexican had just disappeared, the planes crashing on runways because the traffic control officers were Mexicans and they just disappeared, there were trains running off their tracks, there were news reporters disappearing in the middle of live broadcasts, there were criminals getting away from prisons because the prison officers were Mexican, of course there were fruits that weren’t being picked on farms, there were roofing jobs that weren’t being completed, etc, etc...it was hilarious but the message was clear.
I dare Mr. Trump to tell me one area of industry, one field of engineering, one job in America that isn’t being done by an immigrant? We can start from the top down or the bottom up and examine every job and you’ll find either a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation immigrant doing or having done that job. He can start with the man in the mirror, Donald Trump’s mother was an immigrant from Scotland, and therefore Donald himself is a 1st generation immigrant. As you read this editorial I want you to ask yourself how many ‘immigrants’ do you know or better yet, who do you know that is not a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation immigrant? What makes America Great…the Immigrants who built it and continue to build it every day of our lives. Where would America be without the immigrants? Whether you’re a 1st, 2nd, 3rd…10th generation immigrant, guess what, you’re still an IMMIGRANT, embrace it, accept it, live with it, or you get out of America cause this is the United States of American Immigrants.
1969 Alafaya Trail • Orlando, FL 32828 Office: 407-427-1800 Fax: 407-386-7925 Toll Free: 877-220-8315 For Media Information email: Publisher: sroberts@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Sales: sales@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Info: .Info@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Should you desire to review past copies of the publication go to http://caribbeanamericanpassport.com and click on the
Print Archive.
Editor & Publisher ............................................................... Sam Roberts Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Graphic Design & Layout ......................................Jan Longwell-Smiley Contributing Writers: ............................................................ Tony Dyal ..............................................................................................Ryan Davis
..........................................................................................Sandra Fatmi ............................................................................................ Gail Seeram
.........................................................................................Sasha Watson ........................................................................................ Kamal Abdool Contributing Photographers ............ .................................Ted Hollins ..................................................................................................Dilia Castillo .......................................................................................... Sandra Fatmi .............................................. .....................................Nancy-Joe Brown Central Florida Distribution...................................................Roy Benn South Florida Distribution ........................................Norman Williams NorthFlorida Distribution ...................................................Theo Jack Jr. Copyright (C) 2016 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.
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ImmigrationINFO
TM
Immigration News For Our Community Can U.S. Immigration Officers force you to unlock your cell phone and digital devices before you enter the U.S.? By Attorney Gail S. Seeram, Gail@GailLaw.com 1-877-GAIL-LAW @GailSeeram
FREE In-Office Consultation FREE Live Chat www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com
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The bad news is that U.S. immigration officers can force a foreign traveler (non-U.S. citizen) to unlock their digital device (laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc.) and if the traveler refuses then the digital device can be seized. Also, U.S. immigration officers will most likely deny foreign travelers entry into the U.S. if they refuse to submit their digital device to inspection. How can foreign travelers prepare digital devices for inspection?
ES! Foreign travelers who are not U.S. citizens trying to enter the United States are not guaranteed entry into the United States. Instead, foreign travelers (including green card holders) apply for entry into the United States and everything on them is subject to search when they present their visa or green card at the airport (or port of entry).
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The New York Times has reported that in 2015, U.S. Immigration Border Agents inspected 4,444 cell phones and 320 other electronic devices – 2016 statistics is unavailable. Recently, many foreign travelers have reported that immigration and security inspections at the border/port of entry and airport have extended to digital devices (including laptops and cell phones). In this day and age, inspecting a digital device can be more intrusive than inspecting a suitcase. Most digital devices have access to personal emails, social media accounts, photos, videos, text, web browsing history, etc.
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Power down the digital device before entering the airport or port of entry. Disable the touch ID and enable a passcode to turn on digital devices. Clear browsing history from web browser. Remove apps such as whatsapp, Facebook messenger and other chat apps. Remove social media app and passwords from cell phones, tablets and laptops. Reduce the amount of data (including phone numbers) that are stored on your cell phones, tablets and laptops. Encrypt all data on your digital device.
Copyright Š Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2016. All Rights Reserved. 1-877-GAIL-LAW or 407-292-7730 www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com
Accredited & License # ST38788
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Florida Caribbean Students Association
lorida Caribbean Students Association (FCSA) is a non-profit organization established in 1991 to provide a home away from home for Caribbean students. FCSA provides a statewide platform of leadership development, civic engagement, community service and cultural awareness among college and university students of Caribbean descent throughout the state of Florida. Member schools include: Florida A&M University, Florida State University, University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Tampa, Stetson University, BethuneCookman University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Atlantic University, St. Leo University, Barry University, Broward College, Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College, Florida International University, Florida Memorial University, University of Miami, and other affiliated out of state institutions.
Throughout the year, FCSA holds multiple events to facilitate its plans and engage its member schools. These events include community service, leadership retreats, professional development workshops, and educational trips to Caribbean islands. All of these events culminate in the spring at its annual conference. FCSA strives to foster as many successful future Caribbean leaders as possible within Florida and in the Caribbean region. From March 23 to 27, FCSA will be partnering with one of our member organizations, CARIBSA at the University of Florida to have its 43rd annual leadership conference in Gainsville. The theme this year is “National Treasures of the Caribbean.� The conference begins on Thursday with student check-in and a welcome social. On Friday, students begin the day with community service, followed by family fun day, and ending with a banquet. During the banquet is also the Miss FCSA pageant, where each school chooses a young woman, their Miss CSA, and she competes for the title of Miss FCSA. On Sat-
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urday, students will participate in workshops and a graduate and internship fair and end the day with a talent show. Finally, on Sunday, there will be parade of schools, where CSA of the Year will be announced. Since its inception, FCSA has successfully hosted over forty (40) conferences, serviced more than 24,000 students, and amassed numerous successful alumni. These conferences have provided students with the opportunity for one-onone networking with fellow students and experts in a variety of fields. In the future, FCSA endeavors to expand and to continue to foster leadership skills and cultural across the state of Florida.
Orlando City Soccer Stadium opens and the Lions are ready to roar!!...Cont from page 1 elected officials also came out to support the ribbon cutting, including Regina Hill the District 5 commissioner, who welcomed the team to her neck of the woods. An emotional Flavio Augusto Da Silva also spoke before the ribbon cutting. “My heart is really filled with joy,” the club’s majority owner remarked. “Because of this amazing support in the community and with our fans, we had to find a way to make this happen. Today, it’s a very special day.” Once the ribbon was cut, those in attendance were allowed to head up to the new club level and check out the stadium from that vantage point. Here are some of the scenes from the gorgeous new venue:
Mayor Dyer & Commissioner Hill
Despite the stadium being open, there is still a lot of construction work left to be done. Workers are on site day and night in order to make sure everything is ready for the home opener on March 5. Despite the small window, team officials were able to get the stadium ready to go and in working order by the time the first game rolled around against New York City FC on opening day.
Members of theOrlando Community
Mayor Buddy Dyer
Mayor Dyer, Mr. Flavio Da Silva, Mayor Jacobs & Commissioner Hill
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Hosted by Madman Smallie
www.orlandocarnivaldowntown.com Sponsorship & Vendor Opportunities: GGR Marketing & PR - 407-427-1800 . Orlando Carnival - 407-886-7253 . 407-535-0053 Sponsored by Commissioner Hill
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Presented by The Original Orlando Carnival Assoc.
By Mr. Ramzan Roshanali
100 Years of Cricket in Cuba
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istory was made when the first ever cricket team from the USA participated in The First Cuba-Guyana Solidarity Softball Cricket Tournament which was played in Havana, Cuba on March 4th-5th. The event celebrated the 100th years of cricket in Cuba and the 47th Republic Day Anniversary of Guyana affectionately referred to as Mash The Miramar Masters Cricket Club an all-Guyanese team from Florida, USA participated in the tournament and was led by Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Florida, Mr. Ramzan Roshanali. The Miramar Masters Cricket Club consisting of 38 members played against The Los Capitanes de la Habana, Rutas y Andares (male) and Giraldillas Habaneras (female).
Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba H.E. Halim Majeed, Silvia Cabesas, wife of the former Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Lazaro Cabesas, Humberto Herrera and Lisandro Cabesas organized the event from the Cuban side. In the four matches played, Miramar Masters CC lost three while the lone win came against the female team. At the conclusion of the games the Miramar Masters Cricket Club presented the Cuban Team with trophies, plaques, medals and other gifts. Ambassador Majeed was presented with a special award for his tireless effort in organizing and promoting the event in Cuba.
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The manager of the touring team Mr. Abdool Jabar and Mr. Ram Ali presented to the Cuban cricket organization 2 complete sets of cricket equipment (4 bats, 4 sets of pads, 2 helmets, 4 batting gloves and 2 cricket bags). These equipment was donated by Mr. Ranjisinghi (Bobby) Ramroop, CEO, Guyana Amazon Warriors organization Ambassador Majeed also hosted a reception for the Guyanese and Cuban teams along with the officials at his residence. The Honorary Consul in Florida, Ram Ali indicted that the event was a resounding success and the Miramar Masters Cricket Club will make the trip to Cuba an annual feature of the organization calendar.
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Chutney Glow 2017
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Orlando Jazz Fest 2017
David Sanborn
Mysa
Jazmin Ghent
Ken Ford
Marion Meadows
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Yvonne Coleman
Cedric Allen, President of Empowerment Inc.
rlando came out in numbers to
embrace and enjoy the beautiful sounds Peter White of some the worlds greatest Jazz mucisans "All I can say is wow! Orlando, thank you for welcoming us to the city beautiful! We loved being here and we are already making plans for 2018, bringing with us top talent from around the country. We hope you enjoyed the 2017 festival and we look for-
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Euge Groove ward to seeing you soon! Said Cedric Allen of Empowerment, Inc - the promoters behind the presentation of Orlando's 1st Jazz Festival.
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Hot Water
would like you to think of a time when you were faced with a difficult situation, or a time when you were in a massive conflict with a friend, a relative or a boss. At that precise moment, you felt like you were in hot water. Then, I used to think that my grandmother was being dramatic when she asked for “hot water” for her tea to take the “gas” off her chest. I would usually listen for the sound of noises coming from either end and she never failed to produce. I am sure many of you who are reading this article are wondering where this is going! You will be surprised as to how often we have all used the phrase “hot water” to describe a situation we find ourselves in. Think again of a time when you handled a “hot water” situation very well. You and a co-worker, a friend, a boss have a disagreement and you both left that disagreement with a deeper understanding and a sense of greater respect for each other.
Let us build on our “hot water” experiences. There is a phase “We are like tea bags; we never know how strong we are until we’re placed in hot water”. When we have realized, we’ve broken through a “hot water” situation it’s time to create a positive “memorial stone” to commemorate our victory. Now is the time to poise ourselves with dignity because we are full of experience and have proven ourselves to be a much stronger person than we thought. My first grandchild was shadowed by the murder of his father before his birth. I watched my daughter eight and a half months pregnant kiss Shawn’s body for the last time knowing she would be on her own to raise their son. Her desire is to take the baby back to church and present him to God symbolically for a prayer of dedication before the congregation, friends and family. Her obedience will prove honorable before God because He is the one who created this child in her womb and her presentation is signifying her trust in God to protect this child as she raises him to know God as his true father.
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By Rosemarie Roth
“Hot water” sterilizes, sanitizes, purifies and kills germs. This “hot water” experience has been a challenge for her to take a fresh look on life, to cherish the ongoing lessons and rely on God for her sustenance. It is never an easy process to go through “hot water” even to find out how strong one is. The Psalmist David said he “…feared no evil because Thou art with me…”. And Paul capped it off in 2 Cor. 4:17 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outward self is wasting away. Yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. (17) for our light and temporary affliction is producing for us an external glory that far outweighs our troubles. (18) So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is not seen is eternal. Psalm 35:5 “For all anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” So, “hot water” do cool after a while! So please use every victory in your life as a testimony of who God is in your life.
Please join us April 15, 2017 @ 2150 Brengle Ave. Orl. With your children for a prayer of blessing. Or call Rosemarie for more information (352) 321-0932
Is President Obama’s Legacy the Real Problem with Obamacare?
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fter 50 times in the last 4 years of trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Republican lawmakers in the federal government now have the numbers to kill and dis mantle the law. House Republications have released a long awaited bill to replace the ACA, and it is called the “American Health Care Act.”
The Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, President Trump, and White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer are ecstatic with the release of the bill. “Today marks an important step toward restoring healthcare choices and affordability back to the American people,” says Sean Spicer. We must remember that the truth usually does not matter when Trump or his team is speaking. “Obamacare is gone, because we repealed all those taxes, those mandates, those subsidies. There’s nothing left there, and we’re giving Americans freedom like they’ve never had before to buy healthcare that’s right for them,” says Kevin Brady (R-Texas) Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. But after hearing other Republicans attack the bill and call it ”Obamacare Lite,” they appear to be divided and confused. The Republican leadership quickly put together a bill, and the plan’s impact on the federal deficit is unclear, because they did not release a cost estimate with the proposal. Based on their recent town hall meetings, many Republican lawmakers are not sure if repealing the ACA is the right action to take. In a Kaiser poll after the election, many Republicans are having unfavorable responses, when it comes to gutting Obamacare. At the present time, only 26% of Americans, according to the poll favor a full repeal of the health care law (ACA). Overall, the survey finds that some key provisions of Obamacare are very popular among Democrats and Republicans. For example, 85% favor keeping young adults on their parent’s insurance plan until 26. Sixty-nine percent (69%) like the prohibitions on insurance companies denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
According to AARP, 50 and 60 year-olds will face premium increases of up to $3,000 a year, and Planned Parenthood would be defunded. Medicaid as we know it would be destroyed, and the tax credit system would provide less help for low-income residents. No one knows how many people will lose their coverage, but the estimate is somewhere around 11 and 12 million. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not been able to estimate the cost of the project, because the bill is still in negotiation. There are 3 phases to the American Health Care Act, and that is still being worked out as the Republican leadership tries to push something through both Houses that is not completed. Immediately Americans would no longer be forced to have insurance, and the upper-income families would receive a high tax cut. The bill would also eliminate billions of dollars of federal aid, which allowed states to expand Medicaid programs to millions of poor people. Once Americans cannot afford their insurance or miss their payment, the insurance company can charge a 30% surcharge to get their policy reinstated. Older Americans will be forced to pay more out of their pockets, but in 2020 the second phase starts. Starting in 2020, the federal government would phase out billions of dollars to the states, and they would be forced to find money for their health care. The Democrats and some Republicans would prefer to fix Obamacare. Obamacare is working and there is a movement in America to fix what we have. Trump and the Republicans refuse to give President Obama any credit, but over 20 million Americans have health insurance as a result of Obamacare. Health care should be a fundamental right for all Americans, and if we are willing to spend trillions of dollars on our military,” What about the health of our citizens?”
There are now over 20 million Americans that have insurance, that never had it before, and the number is growing under the ACA. Instead of trying to fix the problem areas in the plan, the Republicans have released their plan, and it’s a disaster.
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Roger Caldwell
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Phagwah 2017
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ongratulations to Hari & Seeta Singh on the presentation of yet another Holi CeleCelebration of Phagwah in Orlando. The festival saw attendees from across the Caribbean, America and even Europe, with many families and friends enjoying the festivities.
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Continued from Page 1...
Bonfires of Vanities
Excited I would peer into her brown carrier to admire all the ingredients for the sweets and savories that would be prepared for the two day observance, which really blazed on the night of the full moon, Phalgun Purnima, when huge bonfires would illuminate the villages including the area in South Georgetown where we lived. We grew up hearing, then reading, about the legend of the young Prince Prahalad who defied his megalomaniac father to worship Lord Vishnu. Thousands of years old, the much-loved story tells of the King Hiranyakashipu who is granted a special boon by the Creator Brahma. Conferring five special powers, the gift stipulates that the ruler cannot be killed by a human being or an animal; by astra (projectile weapons) or by any shastra (handheld weapons); on land, in water or air; indoors or outdoors; during the day or at night. Feeling understandably invincible, Hiranyakashyapu becomes arrogant and decrees that only he could be worshipped as a God, so when his son defies him, the enraged king orders his sister Holika who wears an inflammable cloak to trick the prince to sit on her lap in a raging conflagration. But the garment flies off Holika and covers Prahalad who escapes while she dies. The countless pieces of dried wood, twigs, branches and the symbolic castor oil tree planted on Basant Panchami 40 days before, perhaps testimony to the purgative powers of the fruit, would be consumed in the Holika Dahan or the great cleansing fire, crackling under the silver moon, the embers and smoke reaching far into the sky. According to the Puranas or the old, sacred Sanskrit writings, the outraged Lord Vishnu, ingeniously gets around Hiranyakashyapu’s apparent immortality by appearing in the form of Narasimha, or a being that is half human and half lion, at dusk, on a doorstep, and seizing the tyrant in his lap, killing the king with his claws. We would stare in grim fascination at the pictures, gripped by the tale. That night we would listen and sing to the rousing Phagwah songs or off-color chowtals and Bhojpuri gana music loved by families, arrange our own prayers and little bonfire or travel further into Georgetown or further afield for the ceremonial puja and huge blaze organized by the various Hindu Sabhas. The mothers of the neighborhood would prepare huge pots of boiling water to dissolve and dilute the fine gleaming crystals of potassium permanganate to create the hallmark magenta hues or “abeer” favored by most revelers, so that it would cool by morning to pour from buckets and spray from our plastic bottles. A strong oxidizing agent, the salt of manganese and potassium, chemical formula KMnO4 is a cheap antiseptic used for cleaning wounds and dermatitis.
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by Kamal Abdool
When the “abeer” ran out we resorted to soaking each other with buckets of plain water, wisely wearing old clothes or the preferred white cotton when we could afford it, proudly showing off our stained hands and faces to see whose was the darkest. One holiday my sister had the bright idea of soaking a pair of her faded corduroy jeans in the container of the remaining mix, added salt to prevent it running and she wore those intense fuchsia trousers until the cloth tore! The afternoon was reserved for the “dry” half of Holi, white talcum from a “My Fair Lady” tin or a Johnson’s container sprinkled liberally on the hair and faces. The brilliant range of powders called “abrack” or “gulaal” my mother had purchased to reflect the beautiful hues of the season would follow. Thinking back these must have been synthetic, or coloured with food dye, dried and packaged into their little ribbons of plastic. We lacked the plant-based ingredients except turmeric, used to tint the powders and liquids, ranging from the red of the palash or flame of the forest trees to fragrant sandalwood, madder, radish, pomegranate, henna, indigo and beetroot. Anyone was game, and in my multiracial community everyone took part. Some resorted to the dreaded ashes and mud dissolved in water, others drove with their car windows wound tightly up, and quite a few poor souls on their way to church on the Sunday that Phagwah occasionally came, fell angry, wet victims and had to turn back home. Remaining a fiesta for the senses, Phagwah is of course also an occasion for feasting but in our homes, the practice remains strictly vegetarian and non-alcoholic, paying tribute to the earth’s bounty of fruits, greens and crops harvested locally. My mother was famous for her creamy kheer, “gojhas” – fragrant, filling pastries stuffed with sweetened grated coconut and “gulgulahs” - deep fried spongy fruit balls made from soft, kneaded dough packed with crushed sweet fig or what Trinis call “sucrier” or “chiquito” bananas. Today we also create smooth milky “perahs or pedahs”, dripping gulaab jamuns, barfi, rasgullah and rasmillai, besides the usual mohanbog, sawine and methai, plus the all-time popular savouries of pholourie, baiganee or crispy sliced eggplant in a seasoned split pea batter, kachowrie, sal sev (humourously dubbed ‘chicken foot’), bara etc For some Hindus, Holi marks the beginning of a fresh crop and a new year, and an auspicious opportunity to forgive, to heal and to start again in the perpetual struggle to triumph, whether over one’s baser self or the ongoing challenges in a turbulent time. Given the speed at which our worlds are changing, whether families or villages, communities or countries, it is fitting that the commemoration continues, the rites remain, and Phagwah prevails. Indranie Deyal is red from hearing of unholy music events such as the Festival of Colors Tour and Holi One which feature timed throws of powder - plus marathon franchises like Holi Run and Color Me Rad in which runners are doused at regular checkpoints.
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Letters to My Lawyer™ Desperate Father
This column is primarily for educational purposes as well as to give the reader general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide any legal advice whatsoever. By reading this column you understand that there is no attorney-cliet relationship between you and writer/pub-lisher. This column should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney. This column is not published for advertising or solicitation purposes. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
By Sasha Watson, Esq D
ear
Dear Lawyer: I am a local business owner. Recently while I was at a restaurant, six (6) immigration officers from ICE came into the restaurant and started asking people for their IDs and proof of their immigration status. I have lived in the US for over forty (40) years and have never had this experience. What should I do if they come to my business? Should I be carrying my passport with me at all times? How do I protect my customers? Please help, Concerned Business Owner Dear Concerned Business Owner: Officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), just like local law enforcement, do not have the legal right to enter your home or business without a search warrant issued by a judge or without your consent. If they enter a business, they must first seek the permission of the business owner to be on the premises or they must have a judicial search warrant. If they do not have your permission or a warrant, you have the legal right to ask them to leave your establishment. Likewise, if this becomes a persistent pro-
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blem that affects your business and its revenues, you may seek an injunction from a federal court barring them from coming onto your property without a warrant issued by a judge. Patrons of the business do not have to produce identification or provide any information to the officer about their nationality or immigration status. If approached individuals should ask to speak with a lawyer and otherwise exercise their constitutional right to remain silent. Federal law requires all non-citizens 18 years of age and over to carry at all times and have in their possession proof of their immigration status (e.g. I-94 card, employment authorization card or green card etc.). This is not a new law and has been around for decades. However, it is likely to be more strictly enforced going forward under the current administration. Immigration officials or local law enforcement must have a basis to stop and ask for identification, other than the fact that you may look or sound like a foreigner. As immigration enforcement becomes stricter, the greatest defense is to become more knowledgeable about the law and to stand up for your legal rights in encounters with immigration officials. We must hold government officials accountable and ensure that they too are following the laws of the United States. Please submit your letters to letters@hawmlaw.com. Each month a reader’s letter will be chosen for response. Letters to My Lawyer™ is a publication of Karlyn Hylton & Sasha Watson of Hylton, Adamson Watson, PLLC 1820 W. Colonial Drive |Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407-802-3223 | F: 407-377-1971 Email: letters@hawmlaw.com
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