National Weekly October 29, 2020

THE MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED CARIBBEAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN FLORIDA

Flood Rains Lash Jamaica

It’s The Turnout, Stupid!

Over US$13.5 million in damage to 80 percent of the island caused by Tropical Storm Zeta

Caribbean Americans voting in record numbers but worried about results

By Garth A. Rose

As indicated two weeks ago when mail-in ballots began returning to the supervisor of election (SOE) offices in South Florida, Caribbean Americans are eagerly voting in the 2020 presidential/general election, but there is still a significant gap to be made up.

Caribbean American legislators such as New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke are pushing for massive voter turnout from the over 4.4 million eligible Caribbean American voters in the country. If the turnout is strong, this community can sway results in critical states like Georgia, Pennsylvania and here in Florida. “If just a few thousand people decide to sit this one out, we are risking sacrificing our democracy” she said.

According to CNW’s recent survey concluded on Wednesday, 64 percent of Caribbean-American voters in South Florida have either voted by mail-in ballot or inperson early voting as of Wednesday, October 28, with six days still to go to Election Day on November 3.

“As we continue to show up at the polls, show that we have a voice and that we will shape our democracy, we will be heard … your voices matter … you have been given an opportunity to shape this nation,” Clarke added.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020

CNWEEKLYNEWS.COM

The Polls Of the 64 percent that have already cast votes, a significant 77 percent are Democrats, 14 percent having no party affiliation, and nine percent Republicans.

Most of those who have voted expressed anxiety about the security of their vote and wanted to take no chance to wait until Election Day. However, there is still the need for voters to turn out heavily in the remaining days of early voting, which ends on November 1, and on Election Day. Much anxiety is evident among those who voted by mail, spurred by the unfounded doubts being cast about the integrity of mail-in ballots. Indicative of the anxiety, the vast majority, 83 percent, of those who used this option dropped off their ballots either at the SOE offices, or at an early voting polling site, rather than mailing the ballots. They are also anxiously tracking whether their votes have been received and counted on their county’s supervisor of elections office website.

Most voters in Miami-Dade and Broward County who have tracked their votes are assured their ballots were received and counted. CNW found less than two percent were informed their ballots were compromised because of signature issues.

By Sheri-Kae McLeod Over the past weekend, Tropical Storm Zeta dumped heavy rains on Jamaica, leading to some fatalities, significant damage to roads, residents being displaced, and calls from locals urging the government to address the concerns over the country’s exposed poor infrastructure.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness told a sitting of the House of Representatives that the flood damage was estimated as at least J$2 billion (US$13.5 million), and this estimate could grow significantly.

The severe weather began on Friday, October 23, when the Meteorological Service issued a flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas including St. Andrew. The heavy rains resulted in two fatalities after a house was swept away in Shooters Hill, St. Andrew. The bodies of the residents, Romeo Leachman and his 15-year-old daughter Saneeka Leachman, were found under the remains of his house, which was washed away in a landslide.

The adverse conditions continued over the weekend but the bulk of the destruction occurred on Sunday when a flash flood warning was issued for all parishes.

Almost an entire day of rain caused flooding across the island and forced many residents to evacuate their homes and find shelter.

continues on C4 – It’s The Turnout

continues on A6 – Floods Rains

WHAT’S INSIDE BRILLIANT CARIBBEANAMERICAN PUSHING THE BIDEN/HARRIS TICKET A3

ENTERTAINMENT

CARIBBEAN

SPORTS

ENTERTAINER GEORGE NOOKS SLAPPED WITH DRUG CHARGES C3

T&T EXAMINES WAYS FOR NATIONALS TO RETURN HOME A4

REGGAE BOY, MAALIQUE FOSTER HOSPITALIZED WITH GUNSHOT INJURY D3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020

GRAND OPENING: Miramar city officials joined B&M Shopping Plaza’s owner Roy Maynard and his family for the grand opening and ribbon cu ng for the newly renovated plaza on Monday. L-R: City Manager Vernon Hargray, Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers, Mayor Wayne Messam, B&M owner Roy Maynard and family, Commissioner Yve e Colbourne, guest and Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis. - Photo by Michael Valverde

EVERYT'ING IRIE: An excited Chef Irie shows off his ingredients—products from Grace Foods and herbs and spices to cook up delicious jerk salmon and shrimp at the firstever Na onal Jamaican Jerk Day virtual event in Miramar on Sunday. Contributed

QUEEN NANNY: Actress Maxine Osbourne de ly navigates the bush as she channels Nanny of the Maroons—Jamaica's sole na onal heroine and a legendary warrior, celebrated for her role as leader of the Maroons in their fight against the Bri sh. Osbourne was a part of the inaugural Na onal Jamaican Jerk Day event on Sunday. - Contributed

FAREWELL: Lauderhill Vice Mayor Howard Berger and Commissioner Denise Grant display his proclaima ons following his last commission mee ng at Lauderhill City Hall on Monday, October 26. Berger has been a resident of Lauderhill since 1978 and was first elected to the commission in 1984. - Contributed

BUS' A MOVE: Jody Ann Gray (le ) enjoys the vibe as her cohost, ar st Noah Powa, bus' a move to dancehall music played

by DJ Jason Panton.

They were recording live for the inaugural Na onal Jamaican Jerk Day virtual event on Sunday at the Miramar Amphitheater. Contributed.

PROUD OWNER: Roy Maynard, owner of B&M Shopping Plaza in Miramar, makes an address at the grand opening of the newly renovated plaza on Monday, while Miramar Mayor Wayne Massam (le ) and Commissioner Yve e Colbourne look on. – Photo by Michael Valverde

THE HOSTS: Jody Ann Gray (le ) chats with her cohost, ar st Noah Powa, at the inaugural Na onal Jamaican Jerk Day virtual event held on Sunday at the Miramar Amphitheater. - Contributed.

STUMPING FOR BIDEN: Former President Barack Obama speaks as he campaigns for Democra c presiden al candidate former Vice President Joe Biden at Florida Interna onal University, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in North Miami, Fla. - AP Photo

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 –

Karine Jean-Pierre

Brilliant Caribbean American Pushing the Biden/Harris Ticket

W

ith the U.S. presidential election less than one week away, Caribbean Americans in Florida and across the United States have already showed up in historic numbers to cast their ballots. The community has shown resounding support for Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden, former vice president to President Barack Obama, and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, a Jamaican American who has inspired Americans of Caribbean descent. Many of them are excited at the prospect of one of their own representing them in the White House.

Also energizing the Caribbean-American

community is Karine Jean-Pierre, a Haitian American who was appointed as the chief of staff for Harris soon after she was selected as Biden's running mate. As a senior campaign advisor, Jean-Pierre's role on the Biden/Harris ticket has become one of the most integral highlights of the campaign as the Biden/Harris duo continues to court the Caribbean-American community and take a stand for diversity.

Karine Jean-Pierre was born in the French island of Martinique, in 1977, to Haitian immigrant parents. When she was 5 years old, her family migrated to the United States and settled in Queens Village, New York City.

A career in politics was not on Jean-Pierre's radar growing up. But while attending Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), she served in student government. The experience and encouragement from mentors inspired Jean-Pierre to pursue a career in politics.

Following her SIPA graduation in 2003, Jean-Pierre served as press secretary to New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, and deputy chief of staff and director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two city council members respectively in the New York City Council.

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In 2006, she made the leap to Washington, D.C. to become an outreach coordinator for nonprofit Walmart Watch. Following her move to the capital city, Jean-Pierre found her secure footing in politics.

In 2008, when Obama ran for office, she was the southeast regional political director for the 'Obama for America' campaign. She had garnered campaign experience from working on John Edwards' presidential campaign in 2004 when he ran as the Democratic Party vice-presidential candidate to presidential candidate John Kerry.

During the first Obama term, Jean-Pierre served as the regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs.

In 2011, Jean-Pierre served as national deputy battleground states director for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.

She led the delegate selection and ballot access process, while managing the political engagement in key states. She provided resources to help states determine "the best way for them to get the word out for the campaign." In the 2016 presidential campaign, she served as the deputy campaign manager for Martin O'Malley's presidential campaign.

She continued her work as a television political commentator, activist and later, a lecturer, after joining the Columbia University faculty in 2014 where she still teaches at SIPA. She is also the senior advisor and national spokeswoman for MoveOn.org, a social justice and nonpartisan organization, and a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. In August 2020, she was selected to serve as a senior advisor to the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign. Jean-Pierre had come to be acquainted with Biden during the time she spent working in the White House during the Obama administration.

In August 2020, it was announced that Jean-Pierre would serve as the chief of staff for Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, who she had met at the beginning of her presidential campaign the year before.

In 2019, Jean-Pierre was also named a 2019 Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.

At age 43, Jean-Pierre, who is a proud member of the LGBTQ community, resides with her partner Suzanne Malveaux, a CNN correspondent, and their 6-year-old daughter Soleil in the Washington, D.C. area.

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020

Foreign Ministers Sign Declaration for Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Recovery CARICOM foreign ministers have joined their counterparts in Latin America in signing a political declaration for a “sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery” post the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said the declaration was signed in the framework of its current 38th Session.

The declaration was unveiled during the dialogue of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and high-level officials of Latin America and the Caribbean on the post-pandemic economic recovery, which was inaugurated

by Rodolfo Solano, Minister of Foreign

T&T Examines Ways for Nationals to Return Home The Trinidad and Tobago government is looking at a “cautious reopening of our borders” as it recently announced a relaxation of several measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 that has infected 5,489 people and killed 105 others in the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, speaking at a Ministry of Health news conference, said that a committee comprising Attorney general Faris Al Rawi, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh and National Security Minister

Stuart Young is being established to would examine the ways in which persons would be allowed back into the country given that the borders had been closed since March 23.

Young told the news conference that since the borders were closed, Trinidad and Tobago

continues on C4 – Declaration

had granted 5,905 exemptions to nationals wanting to return home and 8,046 to persons wishing to leave the island.

“It is reasonable now to bring people home, especially if the protocol is that they come in after a certain aspect of testing and they come in … as permitted and they go home. If they require state quarantine for any reason, then that can be managed.

I am satisfied this committee can report within a week and the tagging system could be available. It will allow us to maximize home quarantine and the inflow of persons who are outside, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, to come home and that will then result in an elimination of this exemption system,” Rowley told reporters. “I see this as a cautious reopening of our border.”

Rowley, who is celebrating his 71st continues on B3 – Return Home

St. Vincent Ruling Party Launches Manifesto Ahead of November 5 Poll The ruling Unity Labor Party (ULP) has launched its manifesto for the November 5 general elections with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves saying it provides an option for voters deciding on the future socio-economic development of the island.

“The manifesto is 100 pages long, longest, thickest in terms of its size. It is full of ideas and policies and programs for the sustainable development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Gonsalves told a ULP public

meeting on Sunday night.

Gonsalves, seeking an unprecedented five consecutive term in office, defended the release of “a big manifesto” saying “we value the intelligence of our people.

“It has been horned by the education revolution,” Gonsalves said, urging supporters to ensure they receive a copy because “we want you to study it very carefully over the next 10 days. You will see this is a manifesto which has come from the bowels of the people of this country, from our experiences and from our own creative minds.

“It is a guide … which will continue the transformation in social and economic terms, to build further on the amazing sound foundation we have laid since 2001,” adding

“we have to build in a manner which is not for tomorrow, but with the future in mind.”

He said the manifesto of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), which was also released, was 'clearly” written by foreigners, because it included situations that certainly were not akin to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Gonsalves told supporters the two manifestoes provide the opportunity for voters to choose the path forward.

The 74-year-old Gonsalves said while his party's manifesto “centers on this metaphoric soul, the alternative option of the NDP is to advertise for the sale of the nation … and to also sell the sacrament of nationhood, our passports and our citizenship.”

Gonsalves told supporters that his administration already has “lined up” nearly a billion EC dollars to support projects in the public sector over the next five years with 'almost half of that being the port and the development of aspects of Rose Place.

'Construction boom ahead, jobs, making Argyle International Airport (AIA) work, jobs … the modern port project which is US$200 million for which we have the funding for,” he said, as he outlined the 10 major components of the governments' future development plans.

Gonsalves said apart from the billion dollars earmarked for projects in the public sector, his administration has also been able to “line-up” more than a billion dollars in private investment. – (CMC)

FREIGHT CONSOLIDATORS

WEEKEND SPECIAL

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 –

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Talk UP

How Do You Feel About The U.S. Election?

With the 2020 presidential election just a few days away, there's is growing concern across the nation about the outcome—including among Jamaican Americans. While much is at stake in America, the Caribbean and the rest of the world will also be impacted by foreign affairs and immigration policies put in place by the next U.S. president. Given the importance placed on this year's polls, CNW Network asked some Jamaican residents how they felt about the 2020 U.S. elections.

Khaleel Smith - “I think its an important election for America given that we're still in a pandemic and so many other things are going on. I think the whole world is waiting anxiously to see if we will have another repeat of what happened in 2016. I'm kind of concerned as someone that would like to travel to America again when its safer. Trump's presidency never stopped me from visiting the country but I hope Biden will get a chance at the presidency.”

You can also look for us in Jamaica

Zoey Ricketts - “I don't even know what I think because I feel like there's a lot of BS happening and a lot that will happen on and after Election Day. I'm concerned for Jamaicans, some of which are my family, living in America now but I don't really trust the election this year.

I feel like there's a lot of tampering and interference that has happened already because of the coronavirus and people not wanting to go and vote. I honestly don't know who I'd want to win. Trump is ridiculous but can we really say Biden is better?”

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Jevaughn McLeod - “I haven't been following it closely. I don't usually follow American politics. But I know I don't want Donald Trump to win because he's racist. I don’t know much about Biden either, other than the fact that he was VP to President Obama. But anything is better than Trump right now. His racist and divisive rhetoric is causing too many problems in America. It’s time for him to go and leave politics to real politicians.”

Kareem Johnson - “I feel it for Americans this year, because if I was in their position, I wouldn't vote. Their election candidates and worse than Jamaica's election candidates and we're a Third World country. I really hope Trump doesn't get another four years though.

Anyone is better than Trump right now. I would be really surprised if America votes him in again for another four years. That would be the biggest mistake of their lives.”

Andrea French-McLeod - “They need to vote Donald Trump out. I don't' know much about the other one but Trump is a disgrace and should've never gotten a chance in the first place. I don't' know what Americans were thinking when they voted him in. His actions and his words are the most divisive I’ve ever heard from a leader, much less the President of the United States.”

Steven Lawrence - “It's just a joke. I travel to the United States regularly and I didn't even want to be there close to election time. It's gonna be madness if Trump wins and if he doesn't win, they're still gonna be chaos. I would want Biden to win but I have doubts that's gonna happen.

He didn’t seem to convincing a candidate during his campaign trail. It could be a close race. But if the U.S. votes for Trump again then God bless them. Because it’s going to be another tough four years.”

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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020

EDITORIAL

Hope is Alive

Floods Rains from A1

A

fundamentally proud and ambitious people, willing to mong life’s greatest privileges is the ability to work hard and contribute to their welfare and that of the remedy mistakes and change the negative community. They did not expect to hang their heads, situations that affect us. competing for state handouts like food stamps. They also In November 2016, many voters believed they made a never expected that their home countries would be grave error in taking for granted that Democratic Party degraded by the leader of their adopted homeland. candidate Hillary Clinton would easily win the presidential Certainly, Caribbean Americans believe in one of the election against Republican Donald Trump. So, some richest countries in the world, there should be access to people did not vote … and Trump stunned the country by affordable healthcare. This was buoyed winning an election not even he in 2010 when then-President Barack believed he would have won.

Obama and his administration Since then, people have repeatedly There’s real hope by presented the nation with the rued that mistake. Thankfully, they have a chance in the ongoing 2020 voting the right way the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But in these past four years, this administrapresidential election to make amends. nightmare that has tion has made it more difficult to Hope is strong and alive that in voting access affordable healthcare. And, they’ll make a fundamental change for encroached on the looming in the immediate future is the the better.

American Dream will be sad reality that the U.S. Supreme Court The last four years have been could strike down the ACA in its unlike any other experienced by most banished, and the entirety—in the middle of a pandemic.

Americans—native-born or immi- decision made by so It is incomprehensible that the grants. It has been a period of extreme pandemic, which has killed hundreds division, especially along political and many Caribbean of thousands in the country and racial lines. The rank partisanship in nationals to make elsewhere, has been turned into a the halls of Congress has only increased and, combined with the America their home will starkly divisive political issue. It’s also unfortunate that the incumbent ongoing global pandemic and prove sensible, justiable administration continues to downplay uncertainty, these fissures have sapped the seriousness of the pandemic, our energy, confidence and sense of and rewarding. insisting the country is “rounding the security. curve,” to the detriment of all citizens.

The greatest change most Simultaneously, COVID-19 continues to create Americans are hoping the results of the 2020 election will economic perils affecting many families. Jobs are lost, create, is a more unified America—one in which every race, incomes slashed, and people are facing critical food ethnicity, nationality, religion, and social class is respected. shortages and evictions while waiting in vain for help from When this newspaper is published next week, all the federal government. things being normal, there is hope a new president will But, there’s hope the atrocities of these past four years have been elected. The candidate we confidently endorsed will end with the election of a president, vice president, and for the presidency is former vice-president Joe Biden, and, administration that meet Caribbean American expectanaturally, there’s hope he’ll be the one. tions. This hope is not fickle and can be realized if voters For Caribbean Americans, the issues in this election continue to vote aggressively to correct the mistake of are personal. Many migrated to the United States 2016. confident they would be able to grasp prevailing There’s real hope by voting the right way the nightopportunities to improve their lives, raise their families, mare that has encroached on the American Dream will be and live the American Dream. But, over the past four banished, and the decision made by so many Caribbean years, many in the community have encountered nationals to make America their home will prove sensible, mounting hurdles making it more difficult for them to justifiable and rewarding. realize these ambitions.

Hope is alive, so Vote.

The majority of immigrants from the Caribbean are

The areas of Mandeville, Negril, Bull Bay along with parts of St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine, Clarendon and Kingston were the hardest hit, with several roads in those parishes declared as “impassable” due to high water.

The Bog Walk Gorge was closed due to high water, which covered the Flat Bridge; and in St. Andrew, residents living in Nine Miles and the wider Bull Bay were urged to immediately evacuate and seek higher ground as the flooding had been escalated to an emergency situation.

Jamaica Public Service, the island’s sole electricity provider, gave an explanation of the mass outage, saying that: “Days of rain have resulted in saturated soil, soil erosion and land slips, which have caused some poles to become dislodged resulting in power outages. Additionally, land slips have brought trees down on some lines, causing service disruption.” The minister of local government revealed that approximately 80 percent of the island’s roads had been damaged due to the days of severe weather.

The destruction caused by the tropical storm has reignited calls for the government to urgently address the island’s drainage and infrastructure problems which are highlighted whenever there are even a few hours of heavy rain.

Many Jamaicans fear that if an even bigger storm or hurricane were to directly hit the island, as they have done to The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Dominica and other Caribbean islands over the last few years, Jamaica would be completely devastated.

IRISH MOSS BY

MANAGING EDITOR Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 –

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A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020

Mayor Holness, Sen. Thurston Join Tent City Protests Against poverty wages, in Support of Amendment 2 Broward County Mayor Dale Holness, State Senator Perry Thurston, and community activist Aude Sicard joined low wage workers last Thursday at a “tent city” protest to highlight poverty wages and urge voters to pass Amendment 2 on Florida's general election ballot.

Labor and community groups, including 32BJ SEIU, the union that represents essential property service workers; Fight for 15, and New Florida Majority were also present to support the ballot initiative that if passes will raise Florida's minimum wage incrementally by $1 in 2021 and 2022 respectively and settling at $15

an hour by 2026.

"I have diabetes and have to ration my medications because I earn so little," said Elsa Romero, an essential janitor and mother of two, who has been risking her life working throughout the COVID pandemic. “I go to bed every night and ask God to wake me up one more time. I fear that something will happen to me and I will leave my daughters behind. It's not fair that I work so much and cannot even cover my most basic needs.”

“A living wage is essential to building a successful community and a strong nation. We shouldn't have people that work full time, living in poverty,” said Mayor Dale V.C. Holness.

“Labor is important to building the economy, unfortunately some in our government believe the way we grow our economy is to give rich

people more money and take a lot of money from poor people. If we don't take care of our workers, they won't be able to get to work, or get the right nutrition, or go to the doctor to stay healthy. They won't be able to afford to send their children to school so we can build a brighter future for the next generation. So, I stand with you today to ensure that we do what's right for working families and our country.”

The COVID pandemic and Florida's poverty wages have created a perfect storm of hunger, poverty, and an impeding eviction crisis. Almost 750,000 Floridians are at risk of being evicted, according to a recent analysis of Census data conducted by Stout.

"After testing positive for this deadly virus, I was scared for my life and for my family's

future. Like many essential workers, I didn't have access to paid sick leave or enough savings to fall back on," said Desiree Kimbrough, a Popeyes worker and leader in the Fight for $15.

“Without a livable wage, workers can't pay rent or save money for hard times. Increasing the minimum wage will provide an extra layer of financial protection for essential workers who've been impacted by COVID-19.”

Nearly 200,000 hard-working Floridians—including essential workers who risk their lives by going to work every day while keeping the economy going—earn the Florida minimum wage of just $8.56 an hour.

A full-time worker earning the Florida minimum wage makes $1,400 a month. In South Florida, where the median cost of a onebedroom apartment is $1750 per month, families are struggling to pay for basics like food, electricity, and rent, even while working 2 or 3 jobs.

If Amendment 2 passes, nearly 2.5 million Floridians could receive a pay increase, including 36.3 percent of Black workers and 30 percent of working women, according to the Florida Policy institute.

Advocates argue that raising the minimum wage will inject much needed capital into the local economy, especially communities of color that have been devastated by the COVID pandemic. It will also close the wage gap among women, immigrants, and Floridians of color, who disproportionately make up low wage earners.

Diaspora Raises $14k for Students in Jamaica Over 1500 students in 20 schools across Jamaica will benefit from US$14,000 worth of school supplies purchased with donations to the Jamaica Diaspora Back to School Supplies Drive.

Several diaspora organizations, partners, and individuals donated to the drive, which was organized by Jamaica's Ministry of National Security. All the funds were used to purchase well-needed school supplies.

Renee Steele from the Ministry of National Security extended “hearty appreciation to the combined efforts of the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN), other members of the Jamaican Diaspora community and the organizations who supported the Back to School Drive for targeted children in some of our most vulnerable communities. The exceptional success of the drive is a demonstration that despite the challenges faced, the human spirit of generosity and caring remains ever present and ready to respond to the call. Over 1500 children will benefit from this initiative during a time when every mickle truly makes a muckle.”

Steele also gave special thanks to Dennis Shipping Jamaica Limited for transporting the shipments to Jamaica at no cost.

Leo Gilling JDTAN Chairman commented, “We are so happy to have coordinated this drive in support of Ministry of National Security's initiatives. The collaborations further extended the impact and reach.

So much more becomes possible when the Diaspora partners together on a common goal in direct support of needs in Jamaica.

Especially in these challenging times of the COVID19 pandemic.”

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 –

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LA SECTION HAITIENNE

Haiti's President Wants a New Constitution Before Elections Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in an address to the Nation on the National Television of Haiti (TNH), last week, said it was urgent that the country has a new constitution before announcing an election date.

He implied that a referendum was needed for Haitians to decide whether they will accept or reject the new Constitution "If the people say yes during this referendum, the next elections will be organized with this new Constitution.”

According to Moïse, the current Constitution “divides us and does not correspond to the reality of the country.” He believes that the current Constitution “is like a pact of corruption signed between a category of

Moïse

people in the country emphasizing the great imbalance between the power of Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary" and stressing that in the current Constitution the diaspora is excluded from political life in Haiti.

President Moïse said, "The country deserves a modern Constitution, adapted to the demands and challenges that await the Nation in the 21st century. We will keep the good democratic legacies left to us by the 1987 Constitution. The new Constitution should be adapted to our culture, simple, clear, and easily applicable.”

To achieve this change, Moïse stressed that all actors must agree on how to change the

Former Haitian Footballer Released After Being Kidnapped Kidnappers, demanding a half a million US dollars ransom, Friday released former national footballer, Johnny Descollines, who had been kidnapped on Wednesday night.

The Haitian Football Federation (FHF) had earlier Friday appealed for the release of Descollines, described by his fans as “Le maestro,” and regarded as the best Haitian player of the last decade.

“The FHF has learned with dismay the kidnapping of former national team player Johnny Descollines. According to consistent sources this happened at Delmas 33 and his captors reportedly demanded a large amount of money to release him.

“Johnny served the country as a national team player and was a striker for Haiti's historic 2000 Gold Cup qualification,” the FHF said in a statement posted on its website. But it later updated the statement saying “Johnny Descollines has been released” and promised details later.

Descollines was reported kidnapped after his vehicle

broke down on the outskirts of the capital and the kidnappers called his wife and demanded a US$500,000 ransom.

But his former teammates, in turn, demanded his unconditional release and had planned to hold a protest demonstration. They had also called on the National Soccer Federation to stop the national championship which is underway until Descolines' release.

It is unclear if any ransom was paid, but Descollines is the second prominent person to be kidnapped this week.

President of Titi Loto & T-Sound lottery organization, Wolf Hall, was kidnapped on Tuesday and is still being held.

Police have not commented on any of the kidnappings, but many countries, most notably the United States and Canada, have urged their citizens to be very wary of going to the French Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country where protests are daily occurrences as part of the efforts to remove President Jovenel Moïse from office.

Constitution, while at the same time, the opposition is shouting loud and clear it will have no dialogue with Moïse. But, responding to this, the president said talks with important leaders of the opposition and some of his fiercest opponents had been underway for the past three months, without however mentioning the names of those he has been holding talks with.

In order to reassure those who believe that talk of a new Constitution is a maneuver by him to remain in power, Moïse declared, "Today, I make a solemn commitment in front of the country and the whole world. I am not asking to change the Constitution for the sake of benefits.

I will not be a candidate in the next elections.”

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birthday, told reporters “it is my hope that by the second of November … we should be able to very definitely put something in place and report to you with respect to this particular matter.”

He said as of next Monday, several new regulations would come into effect as the island relaxes some of the measures put in place to stem the curb the spread of the virus, even as he pleaded with the population to continue to wear masks and engage in social distancing.

He said places of worship would be opened for at least one hour services, but with only 50 percent of the congregation at a service; public servants would be returning to their jobs, and students unable to study on line for particular subjects that would involve laboratory work can go to these labs.

In addition, casinos, cinemas and all member clubs will be allowed to operate on a 50 percent capacity, but won't be allowed to sell or provide food and drinks to patrons. Bars and restaurants would have to wait two more weeks before it is possible for in-house dining to take place.

Rowley urged the population “not to get tired from responding to the pandemic,” saying it may be around, according to the experts for the next two or three years.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 –

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Jamaican Jerk Day First-ever National Jamaican Jerk Day Event a Hit with Viewers In place of the major annual jerk festivals in the U.S. and Canada, this year, jerk lovers from all over the globe tuned in to watch the first-ever National Jamaican Jerk Day virtual event on Sunday, October 25.

The event, which was streamed live on VP Records' YouTube channel from the Miramar Amphitheater in South Florida, attracted viewers from as far away as Israel and Columbia to Canada, and so many cities right here in the United States. Those who tuned in experienced their fill of jerk cuisine, genuine Jamaican culture, live entertainment, and highlights of some of the best acts to grace Jerk Festival stages over the years.

DJ Jason Panton kicked off the event, running the gamut of Jamaican hits from the legendary Toots and the Maytals' “Pressure Drop” to Grammy kid Koffee's “Lockdown” and everything in between. Hosts Jody Ann Gray and Noah Powa kept the vibes lively with various dances from the island's extensive dance catalog.

Highlights of performances by reggae icons John Holt and Barrington Levy and soca queen Alison Hinds on the South Florida stage; Chris Martin and Romain Virgo on the New York stage, and “King of the Dancehall” Beenie Man on the Toronto stage showcased the caliber of entertainment these festivals are known for.

Violinists Sons of Maestro also performed a number of hits live from the Miramar

Sons of Maestro

Chef Irie Amphitheater and dancehall artist Noah Powa delivered a high-energy live performance.

Viewers got a chance to see Chef Irie in his element, creating delectable jerk salmon and shrimp on the grill; and Chef Andre Fowles with a cooking demo of jerk pork chops with

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caramelized mangoes using Grace Jerk Seasoning.

Nanny of the Maroons, played by actress Maxine Osbourne, appeared intermittently throughout the production, melding the old with the new and bringing hope to her descendants. Her parting words: “The struggle continues, my people … take a look around … come together, be one, my people.”

A number of viewers reacted to the show on social media including Peter Campbell who commented, “Very good concept” and “Give thanks to the Jerkfest team.” TRELAWNY, who apparently enjoyed Nanny's appearances, commented, “Nanny still wild enuh.” and Sharon Gordon said, “I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Veteran Reggae Singer George Nooks Slapped with Drug Charges Veteran Jamaican reggae singer George Nooks is once more before the courts, this time battling drug charges and a charge of perverting the course of justice.

The entertainer appeared in the Kingston and St. Andrew parish court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charges which are related to a 2019 incident.

Nooks had been charged on Thursday by the narcotics police following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He was offered bail in the sum of $300,000 and is to return to court on January 13, 2021.

The initial charge stems from an April 2019 incident, in which the police allege that Nooks was found in possession of a bag containing two ounces of cocaine. He later ingested the substance while being processed at police narcotics headquarters. Nooks was found not guilty on drug-related charges on May 21, last year.

The 59-year-old singer was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Nooks

But last week, the 59-year-old singer was re-arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

After spending one night in police lock-up last week, Nooks was released in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in Half-Way-Tree.

George Nooks burst on the entertainment scene in the 1970s as Rastafarian deejay Prince Mohammed. His hit songs for producer Joe Gibbs include “Tribal War” (as George Nooks) and “Forty Leg Dread.”

His singing style was inspired by the late Dennis Brown, his mentor, who he paid tribute to with a double album of covers. Brown, reggae's “Crown Prince,” died in July 1999.

After a decade-long absence from the charts, Nooks roared back in 2001 with “God is Standing By,” a cover of Al Green's gospel hit of the same name, that hit #1 on all the ethnic reggae charts. He has been a popular live and recording act since that time.

JuliansPromos Hits One Million Subscribers

By Sheri-Kae McLeod In recent times soca has emerged from being a local style of music to one of the top genres in the Caribbean, thanks to residents who have pushed soca as a way of life.

One of those Trinidadians is Julian Hackett, whose music platform JuliansPromos, recently became the first 100 percent soca music YouTube channel to surpass one million subscribers worldwide.

JuliansPromos was one of the few of its kind in Trinidad when it was first started in 2011.

Hackett and his team comprising of Vivaa, who serves as a media correspondent, and Chandy, who manages their PR, offered a space where soca artists could showcase their music to fans and a music channel that brought soca to the

world.

In an interview with CNW Network, Hackett said he was ahead of the curve from the beginning. “When we started in 2011, YouTube wasn't what it is now—it wasn't a music platform so we were ahead of the game with that. And in addition to music, we also got into media coverage, marketing and interviewing soca artists all over the world.”

The platform steadily increased in subscriptions over the years so the milestone was bound to happen at some point, but Hackett said he never expected it to happen this year—and it was due to COVID-19 that it did.

“I track the subscriptions trends of the platform so I knew what to expect, but we saw a huge jump in numbers this year during the COVID-19 period,” he explained. The nostalgia

experienced by revellers around the world that would miss out on carnival this year and possibly next year resulted in a huge boost for the soca platform, which hit one million subscriptions this month.

While Hackett said he was grateful for the milestone, he stated that there was more work to be done to establish soca as a top genre of music internationally.

“I don't think soca gets the credit it deserves and that's on both the artists and the listeners. I think soca artists have to try harder to not make the music seasonal. Because if fans think they should only listen to the genre during carnival time, then they won't want to listen during the rest of the year. And fans too have to realize that soca is not just carnival music and make an effort to check out the songs all year,” he said.

The coronavirus pandemic has upped the ante for the platform who also celebrated their milestone with the release of a new riddim, called the Tender Touch Riddim. The riddim was produced by AdvoKit productions and presented by JuliansPromos, marking a third collaboration for the dynamic duo. It features several artists from Trinidad and Tobago including Patrice Roberts, Nailah Blackman, Hey Choppi, Olatunji and Melly, alongside Nigerian artiste, Skales.

With fans not only in the region but around the world, in countries like Belgium, Japan, Sweden, Norway, JuliansPromos is looking to do more with its platform. Hackett says that the team plans to move into digital music distribution and artist management to help current and emerging soca artists further their career.

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020

It’s The Turnout These voters have a chance to remedy the problem prior to the deadline on Election Day.

PBC Mail-in Votes Counted or Not? The situation is different in Palm Beach County, where several voters expressed concern their votes are not being counted. While that county’s SOE website indicate mail-in ballots are being received, it doesn’t indicate the ballots have been counted.

When CNW contacted the Palm Beach County SOE office, they said ballots are being received and counted, however, confirmation they are counted won’t appear on the website until after polls close on November 3. It was also ascertained if there are problems with signatures on the ballot envelopes, the “received” box on the ballot tracking section of the website will be highlighted in red, and the voter should contact, or will be contacted by, the SOE. Assurances were given that if the tracker shows the ballot was received, and there is no red highlight, the vote will show as counted on election night.

New Record Of the 64 percent of Caribbean Americans known to have voted up

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to Wednesday, 62 percent had cast votes by mail-in ballots, and 38 percent during early voting. Most of those who opted to vote in person said they had no confidence their ballot would be secured voting by mail-in ballot.

Among those who haven’t voted yet, 23 percent are yet to return mailin ballot but plan to drop off their ballot later this week; 45 percent plan to vote before early voting ends on November 1, and 32 percent are waiting to vote on November 3. Most of the latter attested to “liking the excitement of voting on Election Day.” Based on the current trend of South Florida’s Caribbean-American voters in the 2020 elections, it seems likely over 80 percent of these voters will be voting in this election, creating a new record.

Young People Are Turning Out A very encouraging trend seen in this election is the number of Caribbean-American youth, under age 25, who have voted to date. Of those who have indicated they have already cast ballots, 21 percent were under age 25. In previous elections, it was a Herculean task motivating the youth to vote. This year they are

turning out, with most of them indicating they are eagerly voting “for change.”

According to Florida’s early voting data analyzed by TargetSmart, a Washington based political data company, 1,508,165 voters who didn’t cast a ballot in the 2016 general election have already voted in this year. Registered Democrats have an 11.7 percent advantage among these voters, almost triple their 4.3 percent lead in 2016. Furthermore, nationally, 15,179,120 Americans who didn’t vote in 2016 have already voted in the 2020 general election.

Among these voters, Democrats almost double their lead with early voters who voted in 2016.

As of Wednesday, 6.9 million Floridians have voted in the 2020 presidential/general election either by mail-in ballots or early voting. Of these votes, Democrats have a slight 41.9 to 37.0 percent lead over Republicans. Holding the balance are NPA voters with 20.1 percent of the vote.

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Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, in his capacity as President of the United Nations regional commission's 38th session, along with ECLAC's executive secretary, Alicia Bárcena.

ECLAC said 28 foreign ministers and senior authorities expressed their shared view that international financial solidarity, renewed multilateralism and the strengthening of regional integration are urgently needed for a post-COVID-19 recovery, with equality and sustainability.

“This political declaration constitutes for us at ECLAC not only a mandate and guide for developing our mission but also a fundamental sign that it is possible for the region to raise a single voice amid the historic challenges that this crucial time requires us to face,” Bárcena said.

She said as the United Nations commemorates its 75th anniversary, “we can say that here within the framework of ECLAC, Latin American and Caribbean multilateralism, its vocation for cooperation and integration, has expressed itself yet again, strongly and clearly.”

The meeting's political declaration urgently called for solidarity, multilateralism and international cooperation to be intensified at all levels, including North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation, as well as partnerships between the public and private sectors, “to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences through people-centered responses that would take gender issues into account and fully respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Furthermore, they requested the swift and effective mobilization of resources to tackle development problems, and urged member states and other interested parties—including the private sector and international financial institutions—to mobilize a “coordinated, comprehensive and large-scale global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences.”

In addition, the officials urged states to “refrain from promulgating and applying unilateral measures of an economic, financial or traderelated nature that are incompatible with international law and the United Nations Charter and that would impede the full attainment of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries.

In the political declaration, the authorities also urged member states and other relevant stakeholders to accelerate the “catalytic role” that digital technologies play in reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, health, communications, commerce and economic recovery, and to ensure a path towards the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals while also making progress on closing the digital gap, including the gender digital divide.

Additionally, the officials “recognized that inequalities—and widening inequality gaps even more so—continue to be a predominant trait in Latin American and Caribbean countries, even in those with high economic growth.”

The ministers underscored that in order to reduce inequalities, it is necessary to increase investment in social services, particularly social protection services, as well as to foster economic opportunities.

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Reggae Boy Maalique Foster Hospitalised with Gunshot Injury Jamaica international footballer Maalique Foster was in stable condition on Wednesday after suffering a gunshot wound in an incident on Tuesday night which left two others dead.

Media reports here said the 23-year-old forward, who most recently represented Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona in Israel’s top flight, was shot in the small coastal town of Portmore in the southern parish of St Catherine after an assailant opened fire on a group playing dominoes.

Foster subsequently underwent surgery but

Foster

the extent of his injuries are unclear.

A product of Jamaica’s youth system having represented the national Under-17 side, Foster played for domestic top-flight club Portmore United before leaving two years ago for Alajuelense in the Costa Rican Premier Division.

He subsequently spent loan periods at American club Rio Grande Valley FC in the United Soccer League and at Santos de Guápiles in Costa Rica.

Foster has scored four goals in nine appearances for the senior Reggae Boyz and was part of the squad for last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. Only last month, veteran former Reggae Boy Jermaine Johnson was shot and injured during an incident in central Kingston.

TTFA Votes to End Action Against FIFA The embattled Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has voted overwhelmingly to halt all court action against football's world governing body, FIFA, and immediately recognize the normalization committee installed last March.

In an extraordinary general meeting on Sunday, the TTFA voted 33-2 to end the longrunning dispute against the powerful Zurichbased organization which was triggered by the sudden removal of the William Wallace-led executive after just five months in office.

Significantly, the development came two days after FIFA won a ruling in the Court of Appeal that the dispute with Wallace could not be heard in the Trinidad courts but by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The TTFA is now expected to swiftly communicate its decision to FIFA in an attempt to have the current international

suspension of Trinidad and Tobago football rescinded.

In a formal motion tabled at the meeting, the TTFA resolved that “in view of the precarious position that the TTFA now find itself, that this extraordinary general meeting of the TTFA decides that the way forward for the TTFA is for the TTFA to fully comply with its obligations as a member of FIFA, recognizing the legitimacy of the FIFA-appointed normalization committee and bringing its own statutes in line with the FIFA statutes, and fully cooperate with the normalization committee in fulfilling its mandate as stated in FIFA's letter of March 17, 2020.

“Be it further resolved that all court matters existing between the T&TFA and FIFA shall be immediately brought to a stop.”

Wallace and his administration had challenged FIFA's decision to remove them from office, first putting the case before CAS before resorting to the TNT High Court after accusing CAS of “institutional bias.”

Justice Carol Gobin ruled this month in favor of Wallace, stating that FIFA's action “was unwarranted and indefensible” and “made in bad faith and for an improper and illegal

motive.”

On Friday, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Justice of Appeal Nolan Bereaux overturned Gobin's ruling in favor of FIFA, however, saying Wallace and his TTFA executive members had violated the local governing body's constitution by resorting to the local courts.

While the court action was ongoing, FIFA last month slapped an international ban on Trinidad for a “direct breach of article 59 of the FIFA Statutes, which expressly prohibits recourse to ordinary courts” in disputes by member associations.

The ban subsequently endangered Trinidad and Tobago's participation in next year's CONCACAF Gold Cup. The continental governing body included Trinidad in last month's qualifying draw while warning it would be replaced unless the FIFA suspension was lifted by December 18.

FIFA said last March it was installing the normalization committee due to “extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt,” which had left the TTFA “facing a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity.”

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Bassarath Supports Bravo for Windies Vice-captaincy Role Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board president, Azim Bassarath, has backed experienced left-hander Darren Bravo for the vacant post of vice-captain of the Test side.

With convenor of selector, Roger Harper, confirming recently that no vice-captain had been chosen for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, Bassarth said the 31-year-old Bravo's experience would make him an excellent choice to fill the role.

“I would support Darren Bravo as the vice-captain of the West Indies team,” Bassarath told i95FM Sports.

“Darren captained Trinidad and Tobago during the last regional four-day tournament and all of those who followed that tournament know the excellent job Darren has done with Trinidad team.

“Darren has motivated his players and I believe that Darren had a great impact on the youngsters in the team who would have played during the course of this past regional four-day tournament.

“I think he's one of the persons who can really motivate and inspire the youngsters. If I had a choice, definitely I would go with Darren Bravo for vice-captain.”

Bravo was one of three players recalled to the Test side for the two-Test series against New Zealand after opting out of the historic tour of England last July with concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. He's one of the most experienced batsmen in the Test side with 54 Tests, with only opener Kraigg Brathwaite (62) having played more matches.

However, Bravo has played only five Tests over the last 18 months following a 2½ year break from the game over a fallout with then Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron.

He has averaged only 13 since his return to Test cricket, however, and it led to his axing for the one-off Test against Afghanistan last November.

Brathwaite has performed the vicecaptaincy role in recent years and led the side in the third Test against England in the Caribbean last year when Jason Holder was suspended.

D4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, OCT 29 – NOV 4, 2020 A D V E R T I S E M E N T