Caribbean National Weekly March 2, 2023

International activists urge Jamaica to

Revoke Anti-Gay Laws

Pressure mounts on the government of Jamaica as international activists recently demanded a repeal of colonial-era laws criminalizing gay sex. They noted that the government still has not heeded a regional rights panel’s recommendations two years ago to do so. continues on A8 – Pressure Mounts

Descendants of plantation owners apologize for family’s role in slavery

Surviving relatives of a family in the United Kingdom - who in the 18th and 19th centuries jointly owned approximately 1,200 slaves, on six plantations, in three different parishes in Grenada - recently apologized for the actions of their forefathers

“To the people of Grenada, we the undersigned write to apologize for the actions of our ancestors in holding your ancestors in slavery,” said the opening paragraph of a letter

WHAT’S I

Da’Vinchi: The Haitian Americ Hollywood Sensation

presented to Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell during a ceremony at the Grenada Trade Centre

Signed by seven members of the Trevelyan family, including well-known BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, the letter describes slavery as a crime that was and continues to be a crime against humanity

“Its damaging effects continue to this present day We repudiate our ancestors’ involvement in it, we apologize to the surviving descendants of the enslaved on those estates for the continuing impact on their daily lives, their health, and their well-being,” the correspondence stated

The complete letter, which was then

handed over to Prime Minister Mitchell, was in turn presented to members of the local Reparations Committee

It is expected to be handed over to the regional committee

The ceremony, which was attended by the Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Committee, Professor Hilary Beckles, Vice Chair of the Grenada National Reparations

continues on A5 – Promises Reparations

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has been re-elected unopposed

GRENADA

Gérard Latort former interim Haitian prem dies at 88

Baptist Health doctor urges Black women to take care of heart health

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell accepts the apology letter from members of the Trevelyan family. (CMC photo)

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Scenesfromthe3rd AnnualAfroCaribFestival heldinMiramar,hosted byCommissioner AlexandraDavis

Headliner Koffee putting on a stellar performance

Patrons soaking up the fun at AfroCarib Festival

Commissioner Alexandra Davis with her son Dr. Chevone Davis-Raglan

Patrons jamming to the rhythms of AfroCarib Festival

J. Perry wooing the crowd at the festival

DJ Fergie, winner of the Selecta Showdown competition doing his thing at the festival

Papa Keith from 103.5 The Beat in his element on stage

A patron captured in the moment

Commissioner Davis and Koffee catching a vibe backstage

Ben Affleck and has done the Broadway show Thoughts of a Colored Man

Not much is known about his personal life, as he has maintained his privacy while having a strong social media presence However, in a recent Forbes article, the actor spoke up about his past and said he was focused on his mental health, which helped him achieve success in Hollywood by breaking free from the cycle of street violence that affected his childhood

The article highlighted that Da’Vinchi persevered despite ongoing tragedy in his past, including the death of his cousin After years of suppressing his feelings, the actor expressed that he was filled with rage and grief

Da’Vinchi: The Haitian American Hollywood Sensation

Those who know the popular hit shows Grown-ish and All American are familiar with American actor Abraham D. Juste, popularly known as Da’Vinchi. He is often referred to by his personality and physical appearance, even being called the ‘Magnetic charm’.

Some, however, may not know about his background or that he is of Caribbean descent, with both parents being Haitians Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the 25-year-old Haitian American began his career as a spoken word artiste and rapper in the city that never sleeps

After landing in the world of acting, Da’Vinchi got his first on-screen opportunity in 2018 when he played the role of Eric Ambrose in an episode of Marvel’s Jessica Jones He then got a

recurring role as Cash Mooney on Grown-ish, and then took the part of Darnell Hayes in the All-American series In addition to landing on those popular shows, Da’Vinchi was cast in a 2021 series called BMF- Black Mafia Family, which had many notable black actors He also made his feature film debut in the movie The Way Back with famous American actor

“I’m here to speak on behalf of the work that I do just so I can explain I’m not trying to promote this violence,” Da’Vinchi stated in an interview with Complex “I would never try to do that because I come from that environment I would never promote something that’s going to just kill us ” He and his team are in the process of creating a mental health tour for students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other institutions The actor has also come up with tools and a self-care routine to help him navigate his own anxiety

Tupac Shakur, one of the most influential rappers of all time, served as an influence on him He also found himself reading a book that changed his outlook on life and inspired him to make a positive impact on the Black community

From Caribbean roots to Hollywood, from a violent upbringing to becoming a mental health advocate for the Black community, the gifted Da’Vinchi leaves his imprint and is considered a promising young actor in the film industry

Da’Vinchi in a scene in Grown-ish with actress Yara Shahidi

Trinidad’s Opposition MP denies knowledge of probe into human trafficking allegations against party colleagues

Trinidad’s Opposition MP Roodal Moonilal has denied any knowledge of a probe into the involvement of a member of the previous People’s Partnership administration in human trafficking

However, a former legislator in the People’s Partnership government Dr Devant Maharaj has contended that Moonilal was the person assigned to lead that investigation

Following Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley revealing in Parliament last Friday that the 2022 United States Report on Human Trafficking pointed fingers at current Members of Parliament but not those sitting on the side of the government, Maharaj said he assisted in the international investigations conducted between 2010-2015 within the United National Congress (UNC) – one of the parties in the then coalition government –following allegations of human trafficking

Maharaj said the allegations were confirmed to be true and correct

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar dismissed the claim, and speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Moonilal did the same

“I am not aware of any investigation It certainly was not any investigation of any Cabinet or any Cabinet business I am not sure if former minister Maharaj may have conducted his own inquiry into any matter If he did, then surely the ministry would have a report and that report could be found and if there’s any claim of wrongdoing or criminal conduct, then such a report ought to go to the police,” he said

“To my knowledge, when we look, there was some inquiry in 2011, 2012, I believe I cannot accuse Mr Maharaj of suppressing information or knowledge of criminal wrongdoing and waiting until Dr Rowley made such an abominable allegation in Parliament Friday last to come out and confirm that. But certainly, if it was any criminal wrongdoing, it ought to have been passed on to the police ”

However, Maharaj, who now resides in Canada, doubled down on his claim, saying that not only was Moonilal aware of the probe but had been tasked by then Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar to lead it

“It was the very same Dr Roodal Moonilal who was charged to investigate the individual in question for one of the two probes,” he said

“Can Dr Moonilal indicate if it is true or not if he was commissioned at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, by the political directorate to perform the investigation? This was not a Cabinet or ministry-commissioned investigation, but rather a directive by the political leadership of the UNC

to investigate what was being rumored as criminal activity by a UNC appointee

“To suggest otherwise, by asking for a report etcetera, is playing smart with foolishness while protecting the vilest of criminal activities with human trafficking I am disappointed in and expected more of Dr Moonilal,” Maharaj said

In his previous statement, Maharaj said particular individuals who now hold high office in the party have supplied Venezuelan and Columbian prostitutes to persons within and without the party

“I myself was approached on several occasions to utilize this service all of which I refused,” he said, adding that no action was taken against those who were found to be involved in the criminal activity “ as they were all close to the political leadership”

“The leadership then, as it is now, placed a premium on blind loyalty over everything else Consequently, persons who were identified were not only actively protected but subsequently promoted to the highest levels within the party and never penalized or punished,” said Maharaj

Meanwhile, Roodal Moonilal has called on Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher to say whether lawmen were engaged in any investigation involving Parliament members, whether the Government or the Opposition dealing with human trafficking

32 Eastern Caribbean nationals deported from US in 2022

Five Grenadians were among the 32 nationals of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) who were deported from the United States last year, according to the US I m m i g r a t i o n a n d C u s t o m s Enforcement (ICE) Annual Report St Vincent and the Grenadines topped the list with ten deportees; five were Dominicans; and four each were from Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia

The five for Grenada was an increase when compared to the number deported in 2021 but a decrease from the 2020 figure In those years, there were six and three, respectively

The ICE report did not clearly outline the reasons for the deportations or the offences which they committed

It said those removed included noncitizens arrested by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the interior of the United States, as well as those apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the Southwest Border and subsequently transferred to ERO for removal

continues onA7 – Deported

Burt Burt

Moonilal

Guyana, India to sign MoU to boost cooperation in oil and gas sector

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jadgeo said that Guyana and India will likely sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in the oil and gas sector

Jadgeo, who visited the South Asian country last week, expressed Guyana’s readiness to sign the MoU awaiting India’s Cabinet’s approval

During an interview with an Indian news outlet, Jagdeo laid out several plans for Guyana, which has one of the world’s largest oil reserves, equivalent to more than 11 billion barrels to partner with India in energy

He referenced discussions with India on oil supplies, a focal point of President Irfaan Ali’s visit to New Delhi in January

This year, some 14 oil blocks offshore Guyana are being auctioned

“We also explored the possibility of India examining the abundant resources that we ’ ve had outside of those that are on auction now,”

Bharrat Jadgeo said

Adding that another opportunity for India

Promises reparations from

Committee, Dr Nicole Dowe, Cabinet ministers, heads of regional reparations committees, and students, was to launch a fund in which Laura Trevelyan has personally committed to giving £100,000 (US$ 120,596) to the local reparations committee

“I came up with that figure because at this moment in time, that is what I can afford to give I am 54 years old and when I turn 55 in August that is the moment when I can actually give this money because I will come into a pension from the BBC, and so I am taking a portion of the pension as a cash payment to give to the people of Grenada,” she said when a student asked her how she had arrived at the donation figure

“But I hope in years to come I will be in a position to give more money and I hope that it works and achieves what all of us here want it to achieve ”

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She learned in 2013 that her family had owned slaves on the island and was battling with the guilt of that reality

Arley Gill, chairman of the local reparative committee, described the day’s event as a day of remembrance

“It’s a day to remember our ancestors and their descendants and it is finally a day of recognition of the harms of slavery and a moment of global reckoning that is long overdue,” he said in his welcome remarks

“This apology and financial commitment from Laura and the Trevelyan family should serve as a clarion call to other families, institutions, and other governments in Europe to acknowledge wrongs, apologize and commit to repairing the harms done by their ancestors ”

lies in the Stabroek block, he said: “Next year, ExxonMobil will have to give up 20 per cent of their holdings So, all of those will be available for some form of bilateral engagement, where we can actually see joint production or exploration-related activities ”

The vice president said Guyana is also looking to recruit skilled workers from India to help develop the oil and gas sector

“We don’t want India’s involvement only in defining our gas policy, but also from an investment perspective to develop those resources,” he said

Other areas of collaboration include agriculture and defence, noting that Guyana has identified a large number of areas of technical skills available in India to aggressively recruit into the CARICOM nation’s agricultural efforts

Specific reference was made to support the development of Guyana’s capabilities in sugar, rice, biofuels, livestock development, and a range of cash crops

St. Lucia to introduce online ED form for travelers

An online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) form that allows for the electronic processing of travelers will be introduced in St Lucia on Wednesday

The electronic ED Form will replace the written form, providing real-time information to Immigration, Customs, and Port Health, and will significantly reduce the processing time of arriving passengers

The system has been comprehensively tested at the George F L Charles Airport (SLU) and the Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the executing agencies, according to a statement issued on Monday

Completing the online ED form is only applicable to air travel and is not a requirement for boarding; however, passengers should submit it before arrival in St Lucia for swift processing on arrival

The online ED form is introduced by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and funded through the 11th European Development Fund

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (rght) with Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Hardeep Singh Puri. The two held wde-ranging discussions on matters of mutual interests related to the oil and gas sector (Ofce of the Vice-President photo)

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

Women are the smart ones

March is Women’s Month, and accordingly, the outstanding achievements of women, especially over recent decades, are highly applauded

It's somewhat ironic that even as the world commemorates the achievements of women, in Jamaica there is a prevailing conversation pertaining to the integrity of some women The conversation relates to several incidences of fraud committed in financial institutions by women, most of whom held positions of high authority

tion, opportunity, or even pressure from others

This conversation, which has spread to social media, implies the rapid incidences of fraud in these financial institutions, and the vast sums involved, means women have become more prone to fraud than men

Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com editor@cnweeklynews.com

GRAPHIC EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR

This, of course, is nonsense While there have been cases of women involved in bank fraud, it's not a widespread phenomenon or a gender-specific issue

EDITORIAL

Don Anthony sports@cnweeklynews.com

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Hugh Ferguson advertising@cnweeklynews.com hferguson@cnweeklynews.com

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Fax: 954-765-6199

Somehow, historically, some women have had a reputation for being “bad” Turning to Biblical history, women like Eve, Delilah, and Jezebel have been pointed out for their sinful ways, but the same book is filled throughout with evil men, including kings, judges and prophets

What has happened in the modern world is women have developed in several areas to challenge and even replace men as leaders

The days are rapidly disappearing when women are expected to be docile homemakers, taking care of various domestic duties, and being ready at instant notice to satisfy her man's sexual desires Modern women are adamantly casting off this perception of servitude

Women have been steadily outshining men academically, and at the workplace More women have risen to positions of management, and are more profiled Unfortunately, some women in authority and in sensitive roles where they have access to large sums of money give into temptation and commit fraud But this isn't applicable to all women

Fraud is committed by individuals of any gender Reasons for committing fraud varies widely, but include factors like greed, despera-

It's also important to consider the social and economic context in which bank fraud occurs Jamaica, like many other countries, faces various economic and social challenges, like poverty, unemployment, and inequality, which creates fertile ground for fraud and other forms of criminal activity

While there are cases of women involved in bank fraud in Jamaica or elsewhere, it's inaccurate to generalize and make assumptions based on gender It's important to examine the specific circumstances and factors that lead individuals to engage in such illegal activities

Turning to the United States, as attention gradually turns to the 2024 presidential elections, the announced candidacy of former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has spawned the continuance of the conversation as to the possibility of a woman being elected US president

There are people, including women, who believe the US will never elect a woman president

It's a shame women have historically faced gender bias and discrimination in several fields, including politics This has made it more difficult for some women to be taken as serious candidates for such a high office as US president, although many have made it to the US Congress, and hold very prominent positions elsewhere in the public and private sectors As seen in the context of bank frauds in Jamaica, women are sometimes judged more harshly than men for the same behaviors or mistakes, and, mistakenly, are perceived as less competent or authoritative in certain roles

One must only look at the negative public backlash Vice President Kamala Harris has attracted during her tenure in this position since January 2021 Some rightly believe she hasn't been given a fair chance to succeed, and certainly not the chance if she was a man

Despite evidence of the increase of women in representational politics, women are nonetheless underrepresented in local, state and national government There are not sufficient women willing to enter into the political fray This results in fewer women with the experience and qualifications to run for as high an office as the US presidency Plus, there are systemic obstacles, like the gender pay gap and lack of access to political networks, making it more difficult for women to enter politics

There are also persistent cultural stereotypes and attitudes making it difficult for women to seek and win US presidential office These stereotypes include the perception women are too soft, too weak, to handle the demands of the office

As another Women's Month is commemorated, it would be a great achievement if the world removes its negative perception of women It is a fact that women have entered previously prohibited areas Women are making great strides because they are smart human beings It is this smartness that has them joining, and even replacing, men in several areas

As women continue to rise, hopefully some won't taint the general image of women by committing nefarious deeds, and others won't give in to the perception they cannot efficiently handle high positions like president of the United States

Gérard Latortue, former interim Haitian premier, dies at 88

Gérard Latortue, a former interim prime minister of Haiti who helped rebuild and unite the country after a violent coup in the mid-2000s, has died. He was 88.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced Latortue’s death Monday, saying it was a tremendous loss for the nation He described Latortue as “ a reformer, a convinced patriot, an eminent technocrat, a voice of change, of development (and) a supporter of democracy ”

Latortue was a former exile who was sworn in as interim prime minister in March 2004 following months of bloodshed and political strife that left more than 300 dead and culminated in the ouster of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide The turmoil at the time prompted the US military to escalate its mission in Haiti

In a July 2004 interview with The Associated Press in Washington, Latortue vowed to fight corruption and disarm powerful gangs as he requested $1 3 billion from the international community to help rebuild Haiti after the violent revolt

In September 2005, he welcomed former US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice to Haiti, where she stressed the need for local officials to accelerate the process to hold general elections

Latortue said at the time that his administration shared the same concerns as the US government and the international community, and that the administration would honour the results of the upcoming elections

“This government has no concerns whatsoever as to who will be the next president Whoever that is, we will greet that person with open arms and pass power on to him or her,” Latortue said at the time

In February 2006, Haiti held general elections to replace the interim government of Latortue, who was succeeded by former Prime

Minister Jacques-Édouard Alexis The provisional president, Boniface Alexandre, was succeeded by former President René Préval

On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant tweeted that Latortue was “ a pragmatic politician who knew how, in a very difficult context, to lead the country to free and democratic elections ”

Latortue had previously served as Haiti’s foreign minister, as a business consultant in Miami and as an official with the UN Industrial Development Organization in Africa

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Deported

fromA4

The report said that in 2022, ERO conducted nearly twice the number of administrative arrests it made in 2021

However, while the number of administrative arrests of noncitizens with criminal histories in 2022 was comparable to 2021, the number of arrests in the category of “other immigration violators” increased significantly as a result of the increase in Border Patrol encounters and ERO’s assistance to CBP in completing the processing of these cases in the interior United States

Stakeholders tell CARICOM mission of urgent need to protect Haitian citizens from gangs

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that stakeholders want urgent action to secure Haitian residents under siege from violent gangs after a one-day Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mission to Haiti to observe firsthand the situation there

Holness led the working visit on Monday for what CARICOM said, in a brief statement issued after the trip, was “the first opportunity for CARICOM officials to observe the situation on the ground and directly engage stakeholders in the continuing search for a solution to the ongoing situation in Haiti”

The seven-member group met with the interim Prime Minister of Haiti Dr Ariel Henry, the Director General of the Haitian National Police, and a variety of stakeholders including representatives of the High Transition Council, political accords, political parties, civil society, religious groups, and the private sector in the country which is facing political and security instability, with unrelenting gang violence a key feature of everyday life

“A common theme expressed by each group is the urgency of national security and the need to safeguard the Haitian population from gangs Underpinning this is a call for organic democracy, institution building, structure, and organization,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said after the meetings

He added that CARICOM was anxious to play a role in the restoration of stability in Haiti and will be a strong advocate for support to Haiti, as well as continues on B4 – Urgent Need

Sangster International Airport being transformed into a world-class facility

The Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica is undergoing significant modernization designed to transform it into a world-class facility

Business interests and stakeholders say this is expected to result in the airport’s repositioning to be on par with corresponding facilities in developed countries

They cite the programmed US$70-million runway expansion, opening of the world’s first Bob Marley One Love-branded restaurant, expansion of the immigration hall and departure lounge, and upgrade of outbound security, landside roads, and parking arrangements as developments that can potentially compare with any of those at the top airports globally

“When the dust is settled on all of these projects, we are talking about [comparisons with] Heathrow, Atlanta, JFK, Qatar, Dubai y o u n a m e t h e a i r p o r t , ” S e n i o r Strategist/Adviser in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright said

“When guests fly [into Jamaica] from wherever they are coming, there will be that ‘wow’ factor MBJ Airports Limited must be commended for the tireless work and the vision to make this possible That Bob Marley

One Love restaurant and the runway extension

will be something else ”

MBJ Airports Limited is the operator of Sangster International Airport, which connects Jamaica with more than 60 international destinations

A record 4 7 million passengers used the airport in 2019, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic Chief Executive Officer of MBJ, Shane Munroe said the plan is not only to modernize, but to also make the airport so aesthetically appealing that it will assume the characteristics and flair of an attraction

Munroe notes that with Sangster International Airport being Jamaica’s busiest gateway and the number-one airport in the region, the onus is on MBJ to keep raising the

bar, thereby creating seamless ease of travel for visitors

“There are other works being undertaken to modernize the Sangster International Airport and provide a seamless experience for passengers Several projects are scheduled to commence this year to further improve the infrastructure at the airport,” he said

“These include the expansion of the immigration hall to increase queuing and processing capacity, and the construction of a lounge for air-to-sea passengers to provide a dedicated arrivals space for landing procedures and coach transfer to the cruise ship pier Additionally, several improvements will be made to upgrade the landside road and parking infrastructure to increase capacity ”

Frontier Airlines now offering ights from Colorado to Montego Bay

With the addition of Frontier Airlines’ nonstop service between Denver International Airport (DIA) and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (MBJ), Jamaican travelers from Colorado in the United States now have more options Frontline Airlines, which is based in Denver, is the only airline that provides service between Denver and Montego Bay and will now provide 67 nonstop destinations from DIA with the new service

The service which started on Friday will offer flights three times a week

As the only airline that connects the Mile High City with nonstop service to Jamaica, Daniel Shurz, Senior Vice-President of Commercial at Frontier, said the company is happy to celebrate this milestone

In October 2022, it was reported that Frontier Airlines will begin non-stop seasonal flights from the United States cities of Denver, Colorado; St Louis, Missouri, and Chicago,

Illinois to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica as of February 2023

The announcement was made by senior manager of International Sales at Frontier, William Evans, who said flights will begin on February 23, from St Louis and three times per week; the service from Denver, which begins on February 24, will also be three times weekly; and weekly flights from Chicago begin on February 25

Munroe shared that the runway expansion works are on schedule and are expected to be completed by June 2023

He noted that the extension will allow for the establishment of Runway End Safety Areas (RESAs), in keeping with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and improving safety in that area

Sangster International Airport, located east of Montego Bay, has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Airport by World Travel Awards for 14 years

American chef charged with ganja possession at Jamaican airport

An American woman was arrested and charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act after marijuana was found in her luggage when she arrived in Jamaica on Saturday

She is 37-year-old Courtney Baker, a chef who resides in New York She is charged with possession and importing ganja

According to police reports, Baker arrived on a JetBlue flight and was searched by members of the Contraband Enforcement Team

Seven packages made from transparent and black plastic material, each containing ganja weighing approximately three ounces were found in her luggage

Baker was taken into custody and was later charged following further investigations

Pressure mounts

The call comes as a growing number of islands in the conservative Caribbean region strike down similar but rarely invoked laws that often seek life sentences and hard labor Jamaica has resisted such a repeal, and is considered the Caribbean nation most hostile toward gay people

“Jamaica is really an outlier,” said Devon Matthews with Rainbow Railroad, a Canadian group that helps members of the LGBTQ community escape violence “The situation has gotten significantly worse in the last number of years ”

In February, Rainbow Railroad released a report along with Human Dignity Trust, a U K nonprofit legal organization, that found the LGBTQ community in Jamaica faces “horrific violence, discrimination and persecution and lack(s) the most basic protections under the law ”

Since 2019, Rainbow Railroad has seen an increase in calls for help from gay people in Jamaica, with 411 violent incidents reported last year, compared with 377 the previous year, Matthews said in a phone interview

“The data doesn’t even do justice to the degree of violence that we ’ re seeing,” she said “It’s truly horrifying ”

In February 2021, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found that Jamaica’s government was violating a right to privacy, equal protection, humane treatment and freedom of movement involving two members of the island’s LGBTQ community who were forced to flee Jamaica

One defendant, Gareth Henry, is a gay man who was beaten several times by Jamaica police in front of angry crowds and now lives as a refugee in Canada along with his mother, sister and other relatives The other defendant, Simone Edwards, a lesbian woman, obtained asylum in the Netherlands after she was shot twice in anti-gay violence, according to Human Dignity Trust

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which is part of the

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Organization of American States, recommended at the time that Jamaica repeal its socalled anti-buggery law This has not yet happened

“A lot of beautiful people lost in this violence could have been protected if the state had stepped up,” Matthews said Jamaica’s government has argued that it doesn’t enforce its 1864 anti-sodomy laws, but activists say having them remain on the books encourages homophobia and violent acts against the gay community in the religious

Matthews

country of some 2 8 million people

Matthews said the laws sometimes are enforced by communities and families even if they’re not enforced at a state level

A spokesperson for the office of Jamaica’s prime minister did not immediately return a message for comment

And while it’s legal for women in Jamaica to engage in same-sex intimacy, Rainbow Railroad reported that it’s not uncommon for their families to organize so-called “corrective rapes” of them or their partner

Activists also note that gay Jamaicans struggle to access jobs, medical care, education and housing

Seiveright

Black communities are disproportionately susceptible to heart failure due to several factors Dr Heather M Johnson, Preventative Cardiologist at Baptist Health’s Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute and the Boca Raton Regional Hospital, explained that both diabetes and hypertension are more prevalent in the Black community, and both conditions increase the risk factor of developing heart failure and strokes

Dr Johnson said that environmental and social disadvantages may also have effects on long-term heart health Difficulty in accessing safe areas to exercise, lacking access to healthy dietary options, or even diminished educational possibilities all play a factor in the statistically worse rates of heart disease among Black people in America

According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 47% of Black adults have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease compared to 36% of their white counterparts

“Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women. It is responsible for more deaths combined than cancer in the United States,” Dr Johnson noted Of particular risk, she continued, are Black women, who are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed A woman who is diagnosed with asthma or clinical anxiety is less likely to have a heart health evaluation as a result “Deaths related to heart disease are climbing especially in women under the age of 65, a major shift in the past few years,” the doctor revealed

Outside of family history and certain societal disadvantages, we have a surprising degree of control over the risk factors leading to heart disease, namely diet and exercise For example, it is important to keep a low sodium diet Excess salt can increase blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease

Black women are urged to take care of their heart health, as we wrap up Black History Month and Heart Health Month in February, and begin Women’s Month in March

Regular physical activity, ideally important step in preventing conditions

Dr Johnson also noted proactive tests that medical prof form an accurate prediction of y ity to heart diseases, one of whic Scan This scan produces a indicates plaque build-up in t possible predictor of future hear Also, many women get an annua to screen for breast cancer, but can also reveal possible Breast Artery Calcifications (BAC)

B A C i s a f a i r l y n e w development and it is being pushed heavily by the America Heart Association as an indicat potential heart disease

As we begin Women’s Mon heels of Heart Health Month, reminder to go beyond a gene exam and request a heart healt at some point in the year M practitioners, and even speciali informed about the various hea tions, and can facilitate testing a tions as other common maladie the risk of heart disease

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Number of African-American women who die from cardiovascular disease annually

Percentage of African-American women ages 20 and older who have heart disease

Number of African-American women who believes she is personally at risk.

Percentage of African-American women who are aware of the signs of a heart attack.

Percentage of African-American women who know heart disease is their greatest health risk.

of Hispanic Blacks have high blood pressure which is more severe in Blacks than whites, and develops earlier in life

Meet healthy living advocate & celebrity chef

Guyanese-American, Lauren Von Der Pool

Every year, millions of viewers around the world tune in to watch the Met Gala’s red carpet A venerable list of who’s who, from celebrities to athletes to politicians, strut down the carpet amidst a sea of paparazzi wearing an interpretation of that year ’ s theme However, the stars aren’t only on the carpet Behind the scenes, even the caterers are noteworthy

At the 2022 Met Gala, themed “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” celebrity chef and personality Marcus Samuelsson was tasked with curating a menu that met the theme As an immigrant himself, he understood that American cuisine is a collection of all the people who came to the country So, he tapped three chefs from diverse backgrounds, one of which was vegan celebrity chef, Lauren Von Der Pool

There’s a stigma often associated with veganism – the food is bland What makes Von Der Pool’s creations stand out is the way she dispels that myth She’s more than a chef; she’s a food artist Her Instagram account, @queenofgreen, is a testament to her talents, displaying rows of incredible food that prove the ancient Roman gourmands right after all: “We eat with our eyes first ”

Von Der Pool’s journey to veganism is shocking, yet simple At sixteen she was stabbed in the head “I got stabbed in my head and almost died I was living life on a low vibrational frequency, and I was deep in it,” she shared in an interview with The Beet She’s not the first person to radically change their life after a brush with death, but she operated with such clarity from that moment that it is aweinspiring “It woke me up It made me realize, not only do I have a great purpose on the planet, but that I’m amazing and I’m beautiful All the things I didn’t really see in myself, I began to see ”

With a new lease on life, Von Der Pool had an epiphany to visit a bookstore and she purchased the first book that caught her eye, ‘Heal Thyself for Health and Longevity’ by Queen Afua, a bestselling author and wellness coach The book had a profound impact on a young Von Der Pool, introducing her to the concept of veganism Today, she is proud to call Queen Afua her spiritual mother and friend

The expression ‘quitting cold turkey’ is neither literal nor advised, but Von Der Pool’s crash course into veganism had her giving up meat overnight “I was looking at food as medicine, so I wanted to tap into not only the foods, but the herbs and what they did for you, and how to make my own medicine,” she explained Months later she had her first foray into the food business, selling raw foods in front of Howard University

She completed her formal culinary education at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, but has blazed her own trail ever since “We are what we eat and really what we consume on all levels, so let us consume love in the form of food, thoughts, and feelings,” Lauren explained her mantra Her food has lived up to the billing “I have been my healthiest with Lauren as my chef,” testified rap superstar and actor Common “I love her food so much that I have often had her ship it to me while I’m on the road ” Tennis legend Serena Williams echoed a similar statement: “Lauren has inspired me to eat in a much healthier way In return I have been able to have even more success, energy, and vital spirit ”

While Von Der Pool has made waves in the celebrity world, her work is still accessible to those of us with humbler bank accounts She offers one-on-one private consultations to review health goals, and medical conditions to figure out a plant-based dietary plan that will work best for you Also, her Eat Yourself Sexy 21-Day Journey is an affordable three-week community detox program at a price point accessible to most Von Der Pool

Governor DeSantis takes over Disney district

DeSantis takes control; looks to punish Disney over “Don't Say Gay” law

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that gives him control of Walt Disney World’s selfgoverning district, punishing the company over its opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law

The bill requires DeSantis, a Republican, to appoint a five-member board to oversee the Disney district’s government services in its sprawling theme park properties in Florida

“Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” he said at a bill signing ceremony in Lake Buena Vista. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day ”

The signing came as DeSantis gears up for an expected presidential run and marks a highprofile legislative victory for a governor whose leveraging of cultural and political divides has pushed him to the fore of national Republican politics

DeSantis, whose book, “The Courage to be Free,” is coming out Tuesday, has moved in recent weeks to expand his national profile and political network through fundraisers and meetings with donors, elected officials, and conservative influencers

The takeover of the Disney district began last year when the entertainment giant publicly opposed “Don’t Say Gay,” which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and lessons deemed not age-appropriate

DeSantis moved to quickly to penalize the company, directing lawmakers in the GOPdominated Legislature to dissolve Disney’s selfgoverning district during a special legislative session last year, beginning a closely watched restructuring process

In February, Ron DeSantis called on lawmakers to again return to deal with Disney and finalize state control over the district in another hastily called special session that

Miami-Dade announces street naming ceremony to honor Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins has announced the street naming ceremony for associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court of the United States

The ceremony will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 10:00 a m. at the Dennis C Moss Cultural Arts Center

In October 2022, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Commissioners Cohen Higgins’ legislation co-designating a major arterial road in south Miami-Dade County as “Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Street ”

signaled the governor ’ s willingness to wield the power of state government to accomplish political goals, a strategy that is expected to continue in the coming months ahead of his potential White House run

The new law changes the district’s name from the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and subjects it to various layers of state oversight Board members are currently named through entities controlled by Disney

It leaves the district and its financial abilities and debt obligations intact, addressing a chief concern of surrounding governments It also prevents people who have worked with or contracted with a theme park in the past three years from serving on the district’s new governing board

Having a separate government allows the district to issue bonds and provide zoning, fire protection, utilities, and infrastructure services on its land Republican critics of the district argue it gives Disney a commercial advantage unavailable to others

The street naming will allow MiamiDade County and South Dade to recognize and honor the accomplishments of Justice Jackson

“As a mother, lawyer, public servant, and woman of color, the Justice is an inspiration, to say the very least It is my absolute honor to recognize the Justice and to do so during W o m e n ’ s H i s t o r y m o n t h , ” s a i d Commissioner Cohen Higgins

As a former resident of South Dade, Justice Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court was a historic moment for the nation, and the community She is the first black woman to sit on the Supreme Court and the first Supreme Court Justice from Miami-Dade County

Governor Ron DeSantis

DeSantis

Disney CEO, Robert Iger

Jackson

Four Jamaican women sworn in to argue cases before US Supreme Court

Four Jamaicans were among 13 Black women in Florida who were sworn in last week to argue cases before the United States Supreme Court.

The women have been added to the prestigious list of distinguished lawyers across the country Five are judges, while eight are attorneys

They were sworn in at the Supreme Court in Washington DC

The Jamaicans include judges Maxine Cheesman and Cymonie Rowe, magistrate Maxine Williams, and attorney-at-law Allison Smith

Cheesman noted that it was historic since a large group of Black women had never previously gathered to be inducted at the US Supreme Court adding that it was also a great accomplishment for the State of Florida

Lawyers are employed by the US Supreme

Urgent Need fromA7

a facilitator for the process of consensus building

“The region has an obvious interest in Haiti’s return to normalcy as they run the risk of suffering the consequences of the ongoing difficulties there which have the potential of spilling over Therefore, the region must pay keen attention to the issues there and work towards solutions,” Holness said

“We want to see Haiti fulfill its promise as the first free black nation and are committed to working with Haiti to find a path to a resolution ”

For their part, the stakeholders welcomed the special mission They said they were

comforted that CARICOM was listening and exploring ways to offer support for political stability and national security

Prime Minister Henry stressed the urgent need to adopt concrete measures to restore a secure environment in his country, which is an essential condition for the organization of general elections

The CARICOM Secretariat pointed out in its statement that the complex socio-economic and political challenge in Haiti is characterized by protracted instability and destabilizing gang violence

The special mission to Haiti was in keeping with the decision of CARICOM Heads of

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Government at their 44th Regular Meeting in The Bahamas earlier this month

The Holness-led delegation also included Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson-Smith; Minister of National Security in The Bahamas, Wayne Munroe; Minister of Labour and Immigration in The Bahamas, Keith Bell; High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Canada, Dennis Moses; Executive Director of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Lt Col Michael Jones; and the Chef de Cabinet in the office of the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr Tres-Ann Kremer

Court, but they serve as law clerks who research on behalf of the nine justices These law clerks are not eligible to represent persons before the Supreme Court However, individuals like the 13 who were sworn in this week and come before the country’s highest court, must first meet specific requirements

Furthermore, Judges, like Cheesman, cannot practice or argue cases before the Supreme Court until they are no longer judges However, after retiring from the bench, they can eagerly await this prestigious position

Cheesman, a 67-year-old civil court judge in Florida, was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and was the first Black female Circuit Court judge elected in Palm Beach County

She is a former chemist and transitioned into the legal profession 16 years ago

She was recognized by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in 2012 for her work and is also a member of the Palm Beach County Sherrie Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association

Actress Amanda Seales celebrates her Grenadian heritage

Grenadian-American Amanda Seales grew up in front of the camera The veteran actress and comedian started as a child star on Nickelodeon’s “My Brother and Me” and has had a recent renaissance, landing cameo roles on Blackish, being the host and writer of the 2020 BET Awards, hosting NBC’s “Bring the Funny”, and a securing a recurring role as Tiffany Dubois on Issa Rae’s hit HBO comedy “Insecure ” Seales was born in California, but considers Grenada, where her mother was born, her true home. The southern Caribbean island is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultural traditions, claiming home to a diverse group of people of African, French, and English descent It’s renowned for its two-mile strip of shore, spice production (known as the Spice Island), and overall breathtaking landscapes

Seales has always used her considerable platform to advocate for improved race relations and to improve the quality of life of the African American and AfroCaribbean communities, and women In 2014, she worked with CNN to shed a light on the dangers and discomfort women face simply walking through New York while being leered at and catcalled by men She has debated with prominent white celebrities, such as Caitlyn Jenner, explaining in no uncertain terms the plight of black women in the United States

In 2021, Seales was recognized by the University of the West Indies for her work in the arts and for being a tireless voice in pushing social change She was awarded a prestigious Caribbean Luminary Award

Twelve of the 13 women sworn in last week. The Jamaicans are Judge Cymonie Rowe (back row, third left); Judge Maxine Williams (second right); Judge Maxine Cheesman (back row, fourth right) and beside her attorney-at-law Allison Smith (fth from right)

Seales

AfroCarib Festival

Conspicuous through her absence from the Lost In Time Festival was Koffee That’s because the young reggae superstar was headlining another festival – the Afro Carib Festival in Miramar, Florida. Now a staple on the concert calendar, the Afro Carib Festival blends different genres of music including reggae, afro beats, and reggaeton

Makes history in Jamaica’s entertainment sector

Many Jamaicans were mesmerized by the Lost In Time Festival, which took place last Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Hope Gardens in St. Andrew, Jamaica.

From the staging to the musical acts, the Lost In Time Festival left its mark on the dancehall and reggae industry, as fans recall it as a historic and unique experience

Reggae star Protoje finally returned to the local stage and collaborated with several friends to provide a unique experience for Jamaicans near and far with spectacular performances, food, apparel, and merchandise

The line-up for performances also included Lila Ike, Yaadcore, Naomi Cowan, Tessellated, Mortimer, Samory I, and Jesse Royal However, several other performers, including Sevana, Chi Ching Ching, and Stephen Marley, graced the stage

The crowd was also greeted with surprise performances from Chronixx, Popcaan, and Aidonia which was well received Lila Ike

captivated her fans in her performance, providing an extensive set from her The Experience EP. Undoubtedly, the artists ensured that the crowd got a worthwhile experience as they made sure people enjoyed every second of their performances

The event has been described as amazing, transformative, and a night to remember by those who attended Some fans even posted about it on social media, saying the event was worth their money and called for the Lost in Time Festival to become an annual event

“If this is an annual event, I’ll surely be there next year,” one fan told CNW

“It was worth every cent From the

organization to the control, to the vibes. It was everything I wanted and more Lila’s performance was so good First time seeing her live in a long time, and she brought the vibes! The surprise guest performances were a highlight for me, and to see Chronixx back on stage after being away from the music was great!” he added, excitedly

Another fan told CNW that he felt like he was lost in time due to the atmosphere, not to mention the performances, and without a doubt, he would attend next year ’ s staging

A memorable occasion for many, it is safe to say the Lost In Time Festival was truly an experience anyone could wish for

The festival concluded as a multi-day event, with celebrations of Caribbean and African cultures beginning days before On the 22nd, Reggae Icon awards were presented to the legendary Marcia Griffiths, one of the biggest ambassadors and performers reggae will ever know, and the incomparable Winston Powell, the founder of the premier and innovative Jamaican sound system, Stone Love On the day before the concert, DJs EverNever, Terra, and Fergie held a “selector clash” teasing what was to come the next day When it comes to bang for your buck, it’s hard to top the Afro Carib Festival For as little as $25, concert-goers experienced not just Koffee running through her twicenominated catalog of lyrically-potent hits, but experienced a diversity of genres as she was joined by Nigerian chart mainstay Tekno, Haitian legend J Perry, and the Cuban icon Jacob Forever These four main acts were joined by local artists Alexander Star, Yung Wylin’, and David Cairol

Koffee

Lila Ike singing to her niece onstage

Chronixx, Popcaan and Jesse Royal

Proteje putting on a show at Lost in Time Festival

Montagliani gets third term unopposed

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has been re-elected unopposed at the confederation’s Ordinary Congress here Saturday

The Canadian, also a vice president of football’s world governing body, FIFA, will now serve his third successive term, a four-year period that will run until 2027

Montagliani was first elected in 2016 when he defeated Bermudian Larry Mussenden at the Congress held in Mexico City and was reelected unopposed three years later

“I have said many times before that leadership is about service, not power,” Montagliani said

“And my commitment to continue serving and supporting all of our Member Associations is unbreakable In Concacaf our unique characteristics are our grit, our passion, and our perseverance to achieve our long-term goals

“These characteristics, combined with our unity, are the ‘secret sauce’ of Concacaf and I truly believe that world football could do with more of Concacaf ”

He continued: “In delivering our ongoing mission to develop football in our wonderful region, we will continue to be authentic in our dialogue, in our interactions, and in our football This is a global game that connects us all and belongs to us all

“To quote one of my early football coaches, ‘simplicity is genius’ With that in mind I conclude by simply thanking you all from the bottom of my heart ”

Montagliani assumed leadership of the confederation in the

WOMEN’S SOCCER

WI hoping to end 24-year drought against Proteas

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite will hope to oversee the end of West Indies’ 24year drought without a Test series win against South Africa when the two teams clash in the opening Test at SuperSport Park starting on Tuesday

West Indies have lost their last eight series against the Proteas dating back to the chastening 5-0 thrashing here in 1999, and have won only one of their last 11 Tests against the hosts in the last 16 years

wake of the well-publicized scandal which saw then-president Jeffrey Webb and several high-level CONCACAF officials arrested in 2015 on corruption charges involving racketeering and bribery

Since being elected, Victor Montagliani has overseen a restructuring of the confederation, focussing his efforts on corporate governance and seeking to undertake “cultural change”

The Congress was attended by delegates from all 41 member associations which comprise the North, Central America, and Caribbean regions

Shaw four-timer sends City into Women’s FA Cup quarter-nals

Captains like legends Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Chris Gayle, along with Carl Hooper and Denesh Ramdin were unable to lead West Indies to series success against South Africa, but Brathwaite will hope to break the losing trend on his second attempt, after suffering a 2-0 drubbing in the Caribbean two years ago

“Looking at this series, we ’ re playing South Africa at home and we know it won’t be easy,” said Brathwaite, who replaced marquee allrounder Jason Holder as captain in 2021

West Indies beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the twoTest series in Bulawayo last month to bounce back from a deflating tour of Australia where they were soundly beaten in both Tests

Red-hot Reggae Girl Khadija “Bunny” Shaw

scored four goals as Manchester City advanced to the last eight of the English Women’s FA Cup by routing Championship outfit Bristol City with a 8-1 victory over the Vixens here Sunday

Shaw completed a first-half hat-trick with goals in the 13th, 25th and 41st minutes before adding a fourth on 75 minutes at the High Performance Centre

The four-timer raised the 26-year-old Jamaican’s tally to 21 goals in all competitions in what was her 20th appearance of the term for Manchester City

Julie Blakstad (two) and Filippa Angeldahl were also on the scoresheet as the visitors secured passage into the next round and a great afternoon was rounded off as Shaw turned provider for Jemima Dahou, who scored her first senior goal for the club in the closing stages

“No [I don’t know where to put the match ball at home] but it’s something I can think about,” Spanish Town-born Shaw said after the game

“I try to help the team as much as I can and they’re putting the ball in the box and I just try to put it in the back of the net and scoring ” City, who lie third in the Women’s Super League, were aiming to return from the international break in perfect fashion and made a strong start by taking an early lead

Buoyed by her strong England performances before the

meeting, Chloe Kelly drilled a precise pass into Shaw, who spun her marker and fired low into the bottom corner

The goal was the Jamaican’s 18th goal of the season and she grabbed her 19th soon after when she met Laura Coombs’ neat knockdown and struck the ball first-time past goalkeeper Fran Bentley

Gareth Taylor’s side were well on top approaching the interval and Shaw’s superb form in front of goal continued as she bagged her third of the afternoon four minutes before the break

Lauren Hemp and Leila Ouhabi combined down the left, before the Spaniard then played it into the near post and Shaw flicked the ball over Bentley to seal her hat-trick

With 15-minutes left, Shaw’s phenomenal display saw her score a fourth when she collected Deyna Castellano’s chipped pass and drilled the ball across goal into the bottom corner

The hosts had pulled a goal back at 5-1 down when Gracie Pearse headed home Abi Harrison’s whipped free-kick from the left – which proved no more than a consolation

Not even the introduction at the start of the second-half of Shaw’s Jamaica team-mate Shania Hayles – who has scored eight goals for the Vixens this campaign – could change the home side’s fortunes

Those results came on the back of a good year for West Indies in the longest format, Brathwaite leading them to series wins over England and Bangladesh in the Caribbean

The 30-year-old Brathwaite, who has averaged 64 over the last year to spearhead his side’s batting, said it was critical West Indies clicked in all departments against South Africa

“We’re very excited [about this series] Zimbabwe obviously isn’t a top team in the world so we ’ re looking forward to challenging ourselves here,” he pointed out

“It’s important as openers to set the foundation for the team and we look forward to doing that Obviously Tage (Tagenarine Chanderpaul) had a fantastic start and I know we will continue great things and as I said, making West Indians proud ”

He continued: “Obviously it is important we have a complete team effort here in South Africa so it was good to see the top order getting some scores in Zimbabwe, and the middle order in this practice game [last week] before this first Test It’s great and it’s important we put all the pieces together for this Test series ”

Following on from a Zimbabwe series played on slow-turning tracks, West Indies will welcome the livelier pitches here, especially with their attack comprising the likes of veteran seamer Kemar Roach and the pace of Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph

And Brathwaite said the attack was confident they could execute their plans and find success in the series

Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton

Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeem Jordan, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas

Montagliani

Brathwaite

Khaiha “Bunny” Shaw celebrates with her Manchester City teammates as she netted four goals against Bristol City taking her team to the English Women’s FA Cup Championship (Contributed photo)