Mayor of the City of East Orange Ted R. Green led a drum procession out of City Hall and joined Guyanese in raising the Golden Arrowhead flag over the municipal building on Friday, June 22 to celebrate Guyana’s 52nd Anniversary of Independence, with pomp and ceremony.
Councilman Bergson Leneus, Council Chairman Quilla E. Talmadge joined Mayor Green, and Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin, at the 11th Annual Guyana American Heritage Foundation commemoration, organized by President Lady Ira Lewis, and members to honor Guyana, which achieved independence on May 26, 1966.
Assemblywoman Britnee N. Timberlake, representative of the 34th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly applauded expatriates for their sterling contribution to the city, and honored Akoyaw Rudder, Anaya Lee Willabus, Dr. James Cort, Clarence Josiah Donna Mitchell, Judge Clarence Barry-Austin Monty Luke, Michael Deabru, Dr. Rose October-Edun, the GAHF, and the Guyana Medical Mission, with Resolutions.
Barbara Atherly, consul general of Guyana to New York, who accepted a New Jersey Assembly Resolution to celebrate, what would have been the 100th birthday of late President of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, reminded Guyanese of their country’s achievements, and the progress it has made in its quest for greatness.
The diplomat also called on Guyanese to uphold the motto of “One People, One Nation, with one One Destiny.”
New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, the first Guyanese elected to the NYS Assembly, in presenting Lady Ira Lewis with a copy of a resolution passed in the assembly and senate to honor Guyana’s Independence, told nationals to always put Guyana first, and to fly their country’s flag high.
Emceed by Molly Etwaroo and Ervin Washington, the observance was punctuated by a colorful costume and fashion display, poetry by award-winning author Anaya Lee Willabus, drumming and Kwe Kwe singing by the Fanoko Singers, and presentations by the Campus High School Caribbean Students, FAMI Care Inc., and Youngsters on the Move.
Allison Butters-Grant, CEO and owner of Global Seafood, and Lady Ira Lewis provided students with financial scholarships and monetary donations toward educational tools.
The GAHF thanked little Shiyloh Lewis for singing the Guyana National Anthem, Damein Phoenix, vice principal of EO Campus High School, and Khalfani Alleyne, chief housing inspector of East Orange, and Shabika Cooke, for their stirring remarks to Guyanese, who danced and waved flags on City Hall Plaza.
The organizers also thanked East Orange General Hospital, Zesty Wings & Tasty Things, Ismay Caribbean and American Restaurant, Limin’s Café Caribe Restaurant, Rev. Esar Budhu of St. Agnes, Rhonda Robertson, Robert Denny and Randolph Holder PJ for making the celebration a success.
