Black Immigrant Daily News

Dancing in the streets by the hundreds for the first time in years, the Virgin Islands community showed up in force to celebrate being outside together for the 68th annual August Emancipation Festival.

The annual celebration highlighted the best of VI food, music, dancing, history, style and culture as community members let loose and recognised the importance of freedom.

The BVI Heritage Dancers, pageant royalty, public officials and festival grounds namesake Bernard “Yampie” Nibbs welcomed attendees on July 27 at the opening ceremony. The three pairs of dancers swirled onto the stage with their flowing yellow, green and red skirts, starting off a whirlwind of events this week that celebrated the history of the territory and what it means for the residents of today.

Opening ceremony

Gen Y Factor 2022 winner Yohance Smith started off a musical evening at the opening ceremony with the territorial song and national anthem, after which Deputy Premier Kye Rymer was one of the guests to offer his appreciation for the return of festival.

He acknowledged Mr. Nibbs’ contributions to the festivities over the past three decades as a booth owner, and parade marshall Hariette Rivera for her behind-the-scenes work on dearly loved pageants, parades and other festival events. He also recognised the hard work of festival organisers for putting together an “ambitious” event.

The BVI Heritage Dancers, pageant royalty, public officials and festival grounds namesake Bernard “Yampie” Nibbs welcomed attendees on July 27 at the opening ceremony. The three pairs of dancers swirled onto the stage with their flowing yellow, green and red skirts, starting off a whirlwind of events this week that celebrated the history of the territory and what it means for the residents of today. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

“We are celebrating 188 years since our emancipation and 68 years of celebrating our festival that was absent for the last two years after what took place with Covid,” he said, calling for a moment of silence in honour of those who died during the pandemic.

He continued, “We remember with reverence the generations of our foreparents who lived, toiled, died without even experiencing the sweet taste of freedom. It is a moment such as this when we come together and give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed upon us as a territory upon the generations past. We give thanks for our freedom; we give thanks for our good fortune; we give thanks for our health; and we give thanks for each other.”

Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie De Castro commended Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Chair Dirk Walters and his team in recognising the importance of celebrating freedom.

“We must never take for granted the sacrifices of our forefathers, and what they had to do to realise this dream to be a free people ruling our own destiny,” she said.

Governor John Rankin and Opposition Leader Julian Fraser also joined in the celebration of emancipation, with Mr. Fraser highlighting the importance of reparations.

Mr. Nibbs, who was honoured for his “outstanding contribution to the preservation of the Virgin Islands cultural heritage” according to his award, offered a few wise words to “sit back, relax, and enjoy the carnival” before the cutting of the pink ribbon strung across the stage to officially open the grounds.

Immediately following the opening ceremony, gospel entertainers including Onekye, Dwight Hutchinson, Yours Truly and international recording artist Sherwin Gardner started off the official festival music lineup. The High Frequency Band provided backing. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

Immediately following the opening ceremony, gospel entertainers including Onekye, Dwight Hutchinson, Yours Truly and international recording artist Sherwin Gardner started off the official festival music lineup. The High Frequency Band provided backing.

Entertainers that evening united familiar songs of praise with dynamic dancing, appealing to a wide audience. They ended up drawing a crowd of hundreds by the end of the evening to sing along.

Lighting a fire

On July 28, festival-goers lit up Waterfront Drive with the traditional torchlight procession, offering a “hip hip hooray” in celebration of the “68 years of culture and 68 years of fun” as sung by the Zion Sounds Fungi Band. Adults in the crowd of several dozen people helped light the brightly burning torches of a new generation where the march started at Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.

On July 28, festival-goers lit up Waterfront Drive with the traditional torchlight procession, offering a “hip hip hooray” in celebration of the “68 years of culture and 68 years of fun” as sung by the Zion Sounds Fungi Band. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

Ms. De Castro and Mr. Rymer led the crowd as they all danced behind the truck blasting its music through town.

The procession carried that fire all the way to the festival grounds, where shortly afterward the Big People Party kicked off.

That night’s free entertainment showcased ABM, Xtreme featuring Pascal, Cool Sessions Brass, Onyan & 3 Cylinder Band. Festival-goers packed the grounds as the sign above the stage joyously exclaimed, “WE OUTSIDE!!!!!!!”

Musical medley

The festival grounds saw a bevy of musical talent from near and abroad in the following days, including the glow night on July 29, soca night and monarch competition on July 30, ultimate musical mix on July 31, local entertainment on Aug. 1 as crowds winded their way from the parade, and international reggae night on Aug. 2.

The festival grounds saw a bevy of musical talent from near and abroad in the following days, including the glow night on July 29, soca night and monarch competition on July 30, ultimate musical mix on July 31, local entertainment on Aug. 1 as crowds winded their way from the parade, and international reggae night on Aug. 2. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

Each night had its own memory-making moments, including when Adam O. had audience members light up the festival grounds with their phone lights and when Ramon G. took the title of 2022 Soca Monarch.

Jouvert

Though attendees had fun swaying the bands at the festival grounds, the most energetic and exuberant dancing took place at the jouverts held in the early hours of Aug. 1 in Road Town and Aug. 3 on the East End.

Revellers danced through puddles, splatters of paint and dustings of flour at the Rise & Shine Tramp, with several trucks blasting tunes to keep them moving as sunrise gradually lit up the streets. Masked “bank robbers” wove their way through the packed crowds, and some paraders carried leafy fronds all the way to the stopping point at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.

Partiers found the energy to come out in droves for the East End jouvert as well, ending with a refreshing leap into the water at the Beef Island bridge for some.

Parade

A mainstay of the festivities is always the August Monday Parade, which made its return this year.

The parade spectacle featured colourful characters like the lion and lamb, the iconic moko jumbies towering above everyone, Ms. Rivera and Mr. Nibbs, and of course, bejewelled and feathered dancers that brought smiles to the faces of children enjoying the parade. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

The lineup started with a royal flourish as the newly crowned pageant royalty waved to the crowds on Waterfront Drive, including 2022 VI Prince Ryson Adams and Princess Lorrisa-Anya King. Kiandra Scatliffe took first runner-up at the competition held at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on July 31.

Mr. and Miss Junior BVI 2022 winners were Kwame Prince and Angelique Lettsome.

Also leading the procession was Miss BVI 2022 Jareena Penn, who was the first runner up in the 2021 competition and was crowned as this year’s winner on July 24.

The spectacle featured colourful characters like the lion and lamb, the iconic moko jumbies towering above everyone, Ms. Rivera and Mr. Nibbs, and of course, bejewelled and feathered dancers that brought smiles to the faces of children enjoying the parade.

Earlier that morning, Reverend Dr. Melvin A. Turnbull led the annual emancipation service at the Sunday morning well, held on Aug. 1 following a solemn march from the Old Government House.

Community events

The festival also included a celebration of Caribbean cuisine with the Festival Food Fair on July 29 at Pier Park. Nearly 20 vendors offered food (including the famous Tortola peas soup), juices, candies, fresh produce, handmade hats, and more while visitors wandering around the park and enjoyed the sounds of the steel pan.

The festival also included a celebration of Caribbean cuisine with the Festival Food Fair on July 29 at Pier Park. Nearly 20 vendors offered food (including the famous Tortola peas soup), juices, candies, fresh produce, handmade hats, and more while visitors wandering around the park and enjoyed the sounds of the steel pan. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

Closing out the festival season was a full day of family-friendly fun at the Carrot Bay Cultural Day on Aug. 5.

In 2020, a scaled-down traditional farmers market was one of the few in-person events featured. Games like the lime-and-spoon races were still held as long as they could be done with social distancing in mind.

But this year, community members cheered side by side as volunteers competed in swimming races, tug of war, donkey races and more, all while enjoying sweet treats from nearby stalls.

One of the most hotly contested faceoffs was among the married and single men and women joining in tug of war, with the winner taking best out of three matches. The governor even joined in for one match, though his side was bested.

Even though they lost some ground at the start, the married women pulled off a win in the end. Anastasia Thomas-Donovan attributed the win to their strategy of waiting to give all their strength after the initial few minutes. When asked what the single women can do to better their chances for next year, she laughed and said “eat more dumplings and provisions.”

Rounding out the day were the donkey races, where viewers watched with excitement and some trepidation as the animals raced across the bridge. (Photo: DANA KAMPA)

Rounding out the day were the donkey races, where viewers watched with excitement and some trepidation as the animals raced across the bridge. One ambitious donkey temporarily sought his freedom and was quickly wrangled.

Deborah Fraser-Joseph, who was visiting her family for the festival and has attended the Carrot Bay fiesta for years, said this year’s was one for the books. She said there was enough entertainment to even span two days, and she particularly enjoyed the offerings at the booths, where she picked up a new lemon tree.

“Personally, I think that Carrot Bay is a really great village, and people could do even more,” she said.

The festival also featured a day of water sports in the East End community.

Celebrations officially came to a close as partiers made their last lap on Aug. 6 with the “Drink the Booth Dry” night.

For more photos, see the Beacon‘s Facebook page.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Four people riding in a golf cart were killed — including two juveniles — when an allegedly intoxicated man driving an SUV ran a stop sign at an intersection in Southeast Texas, police said.

Miguel Espinoza, 45, has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter in the crash about 11:30 p.m. Saturday in Galveston, roughly 50 miles (80 kilometres) southeast of Houston, police said.

Espinoza was being held in Galveston County jail Sunday on $400,000 bond, police said. Jail records did not list an attorney for him.

Galveston police Sgt. Derek Gaspard said that after the SUV failed to stop, it struck a pickup truck, which then crashed into the golf cart that had six people aboard. He said that the golf cart and pickup were traveling in opposite directions through the intersection on a street that did not have a stop sign.

Police said the adult driver of the golf cart was pronounced dead at the scene while a woman and two juveniles on the golf cart were taken to a hospital, where they died. The two other passengers — an adult and a juvenile — were hospitalized Sunday in critical condition, police said.

Espinoza, who lives in the Houston-area city of Rosenberg, and his passenger had minor injuries, police said. They were taken to the hospital and later released.

The occupants of the pickup were not injured, Gaspard said. Names and ages of the dead weren’t immediately released.

Gaspard said that he believes the golf cart, which was rented, was operating legally on the city street. He said members of two different families were riding on the golf cart at the time of the crash.

Galveston Mayor Craig Brown said golf carts have become “quite a prolific mode of transportation” for residents and visitors to the island resort area, which is located on the Gulf of Mexico.

Brown said that the city has in the past put in place ordinances aimed at make operating them safer, and will be considering additional ordinances at an upcoming City Council meeting.

“I was out last night,” Brown said. “The island was busy and there were golf carts — residential as well as rental golf carts — out all over these streets.”

___

This story has been updated to correct that Miguel Espinoza lives in Rosenberg.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

When a ‘stash house’ was raided by members of the Barbados police Service on August 2, 481 kilogrammes of marijuana was found and one Colombian national was arrested at the location.

According to the Communications Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) this was the result of an ongoing investigation spanning over two years.

The TTPS reported on August 6, 2022, that one Colombian was arrested and marijuana with a street value of BBD 21,437,223.46 (TT$72,063,420) was seized in Barbados following months of surveillance, intelligence gathering and collaboration with regional law enforcement agencies.

In June 2020, officers of TTPS began investigations into a person of interest who was suspected of controlling a drug ring based in Central Trinidad with regional and international links.

The suspect and another man then boarded a flight to Barbados in late June 2022, Barbados law enforcement was notified, and their assistance was requested.

The TTPS continued gathering intelligence and maintained relations with Barbados law enforcement, and as a result discovered that on Friday, July 29, 2022, a shipment of drugs landed in Barbados.

This intelligence was further developed and on August 2, police in Barbados breached the “stash house” in Barbados where they found and seized 481 kilogrammes of marijuana with a street value of over Barbados $21million.

The Colombian national was also arrested at the house.

Investigations are continuing.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Following a spectacular Grand Gala at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Independence night, the focus is now shifted to Montego Bay, St James, where the Western Gala and Float Parade will be staged on Sunday afternoon as the curtain comes down on the Jamaica 60 celebrations over the Emancipendence period.

The Western Independence Float and Street Parade is set to leave the Sangster International Airport Roundabout at 2:30 pm, then proceed along Godfrey Dyer Boulevard and left onto Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, culminating at Harmony Beach Park at approximately 4.30 pm.

Patrons will then gear up for the Western Gala, which is to be staged at the Harmony Beach Park beginning at 5pm.

This follows an Independence Day civic ceremony and gospel extravaganza at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St James.

The events are a collaboration between the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Deputy Prime Minister. Dr Horace Chang; and the St James Municipal Corporation.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

News

Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal refers to a 2013 scrap-metal policy, prepared by the Ministry of Trade, at the Opposition UNC media conference on Sunday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Charles Street, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

OPPOSITION MP Roodal Moonilal doesn’t agree with the Government’s proposal to impose a six-month ban on the scrap iron industry to deal with an increase in the theft of copper and iron.

At the UNC’s weekly press conference on Sunday. Moonilal said theft of any kind was solely the responsibility of the police. He said legitimate scrap iron dealers should not be punished for the increase in copper and metal theft.

On Friday, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds announced the ban at a joint press conference with acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob and Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales.

The ban is expected to come into effect after the Finance and General Purposes sub-committee of the Cabinet finalises it. In the meantime, legislation is being drafted to regularise the industry.

Hinds said the Government had to act because of the riise in the number of acts of vandalism on state and private infrastructure.

In response to the announcement, president of the Scrap Iron Dealers Association Allan Ferguson said he was working with his attorneys to file an injunction to stop any ban from taking place to preserve the jobs of some 20,000 scrap iron dealers.

He said if the ban happens, the industry will go out of business.

Last week, police recovered over $1million in iron I-beams and steel poles belonging to the Ministry of Works which were found at a scrap iron yard in central Trinidad. TSTT and WASA are the two utilities severely hit by vandals who have carted off millions of dollars worth of cable. Two weekends ago, vandals struck TSTT’s underground fibre optic and copper installation in San Fernando, interrupting service to tens of thousands of customers. Last Thursday, vandals attacked WASA’s California Booster Station, carting off electrical cables. The estimated cost of damage is $400,000 and the timeframe to execute repairs were said to be between three-four weeks.

A reward of $100,000 has been offered for information that leads to the successful arrest of the perpetrators.

In June, the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association called on police to act as copper thieves were caught targeting businesses in the capital city, hacking away copper lines attached to air-conditioning units on rooftops.

Angered by the growing public nuisance, the Prime Minister, in July, said he will approach the Attorney General to draft laws that would thwart the sale of stolen scrap iron.

But on Sunday, Moonilal said any move to interfere with the operations of the industry will dent the fast-growing export market.

Moonilal said the indirect effects of this move will do more harm than good.

“I can tell you in the seven years they have been there, they have done absolutely nothing to regulate this industry to deal with the scrap iron dealers to address some of the areas in this industry that can lend itself to criminal activity.”

Moonilal questioned why the Government decided on such drastic measures when the 2013 scrap-metal policy, prepared by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, stressed on the high socio-economic benefits the industry creates for the country.

“It is a critical sector that you’re closing down and you say you’re closing it down for six months when we all know there will be no regulations, no change of law, no new regime in six months.

“If they close they will close down for years. This is a recipe for the criminalisation of Trinidad and Tobago. This will lead to further criminal activity. This will lead to a loss of income.

Moonilal called on the Government to consider all the factors and rethink its decision.

“So, because we have people stealing copper wire and scrap iron from the Ministry of Works, and manhole covers, you would battle the export of that?

“This is the work of the police, it is the police. Their job is to ensure people don’t climb over a fence and steal in the government building. That’s their job. Cars are being stolen. Would they ban the sale of cars?”

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