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This CARICOM Nation Could Take In UK Deportees Under Tough New Law

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News Americas, LONDON, England, Tues. Aug. 12, 2025: The oil Rich South American, CARICOM nation of Guyana has become the only Caribbean Community country named among 15 new nations added to the United Kingdom’s controversial “deport now, appeal later” policy – a fast-track deportation scheme targeting foreign nationals convicted of crimes.

FLASHBACK – 15 activists enter Stansted Airport and block a chartered deportation flight on 28th of March 2017 at Stansted Airport, Stansted, United Kingdom. The activists locked themselves together near the plane in a secluded part of the airport. The flight was scheduled for Nigeria and Ghana to take 57 deportees, some of whom risking imprisonment and possible death in their home country according to the activists research. A number of the fifty-seven scheduled on the flight that night are still in the UK pending case hearings and at least two has since been allowed to stay in the UK. Without the Stansted 15’s intervention this would not have happened. The 15 activists were found guilty in December 2018 and sentenced February 2019. Twelve were given community orders, three were given a suspended jail term sentences. (photo by Kristian Buus/In Pictures via Getty Images Images)

The move means that UK authorities could begin sending convicted Guyanese nationals back to the South American CARICOM state before they have a chance to appeal their cases in person – forcing them to participate in hearings from abroad via video link.

London’s updated list now covers 23 countries in total, with Canada, India, and Australia also newly added. Other nations on the fresh list include Angola, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia.

“Restoring Control”
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the policy’s expansion, claiming it will stop foreign offenders from “exploiting” Britain’s immigration system. “That has to end,” Cooper said. “Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system. Our laws must be respected and will be enforced.”

The UK Home Office says the changes will help ease the country’s overcrowded prison system. Official figures show foreign offenders make up 12.3 percent of the prison population in England and Wales, with 10,772 currently behind bars.

Guyana Link in UK Government
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy – whose parents are Guyanese – welcomed the expansion and vowed to increase the list further. “We are working to ensure more countries are willing to take back their nationals who commit crimes in the UK,” Lammy said.

Political Reactions
Opposition lawmakers have cautiously welcomed the move. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Even with this U-turn, only the Conservative Party is committed to deporting all foreign criminals.”

The announcement comes alongside broader proposals that could see foreign offenders deported immediately after sentencing – with lifetime bans on returning to the UK. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the aim is to send those who “abuse our hospitality and break our laws” packing.

The government claims the plan will cut taxpayer costs, reduce prison overcrowding, and boost public safety – but critics warn it could raise legal and human rights concerns.

Guyana Urges Israel To Reverse Gaza Occupation Plan

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By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, UNITED NATIONS, NY, Aug. 11, 2025:The oil rich South American CARICON nation of Guyana has joined mounting global calls for Israel to reverse a controversial cabinet decision to take control of Gaza City by October 7, 2025 – a move critics say will expel thousands of Palestinians, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and effectively end the two-state solution.

Students of Birzeit University stage a protest for Al Jazeera reporters who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent reserved for journalists at the entrance to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, near Ramallah in the West Bank on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Speaking at the UN Security Council on Sunday, Guyana’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, warned that the planned occupation threatens not only the stability of the Middle East but also global peace.

“We, the Security Council, must respond to the fact that over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, and this number increases every single day,” she said, condemning any form of collective punishment against Gaza’s civilian population.

FLASHBACK – Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN and president of the Security Council for the month of June, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security at the United Nations Headquarters on June 13, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

While reaffirming Guyana’s condemnation of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that no act of violence can justify what she described as “the mass displacement, death, and destruction now unfolding.”

Guyana outlined key demands, including:

Reversing the planned occupation of Gaza City.

Agreeing to an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire.

Withdrawing to pre-1967 borders in line with UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice advisory opinion.

Granting unrestricted humanitarian access to civilians in need.

The envoy also called for the release of all hostages and stronger protections for UN personnel and humanitarian workers operating in the besieged territory.

Two top UN officials echoed the warnings. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, cautioned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for “total military control” and an alternative civilian administration in Gaza could “ignite another horrific chapter of displacement, death, and destruction.”

“If implemented, these plans will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region,” Jenča said, urging full compliance with international humanitarian law.

Senior humanitarian official Ramesh Rajasingham warned that hunger-related deaths in Gaza are already rising, with humanitarian lifelines collapsing under sustained bombardment and insufficient aid.

The Israeli government has defended its military operations as essential to defeating Hamas, but critics insist the latest decision risks plunging Gaza — and the wider region — into an even deeper humanitarian disaster.

Over 60,000 Dead in Gaza as Israel Expands Offensive

More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, compared to 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 taken hostage in Hamas’ initial attack. The Israeli military admitted Sunday to deliberately killing Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four colleagues in a strike on their tent outside al-Shifa Hospital, bringing the toll of media workers killed to over 230.

Fresh bombings continued across the enclave as Israel allowed only limited airdrops of aid, while the UN Security Council met to condemn Israel’s occupation plans. Most members rejected the move, but the US defended Israel and blamed Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that seizing Gaza City was “the fastest way” to end the war.

Meanwhile, violent Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the West Bank, including a village in Hebron, as soldiers carried out new raids and supported the settler assaults.

Brooklyn Street Co-Named To Honor Jamaican Immigrant

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By News Americas Staff Writer

News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Sat. Aug. 9, 2025: The corner of Church Avenue and St. Paul’s Place in Brooklyn, NY now bears a new name – Leroy Johnson Way. It is an honor to the life and legacy of the late Jamaican-born activist who became a driving force for housing justice and community empowerment in Flatbush.

Brooklyn has co-named Church Ave & St. Paul’s Place as Leroy Johnson Way, honoring the late Jamaican immigrant and housing rights leader who fought for justice in Flatbush for decades. (Instagram image)

The street co-naming ceremony, led by New York City Council Member Rita Joseph, paid tribute to Johnson’s decades-long commitment to organizing, advocacy, and social change.

“As we unveiled this street sign, we are reminded that true change starts at the grassroots – when we come together, organize, and uplift one another. Let Leroy’s name be a permanent reminder that our power lies in our unity,” said Councilmember Joseph.

Johnson, who passed away on July 6, 2024, was the chair of the New York Communities for Change (NYCC) Flatbush Chapter since 2010. Under his leadership, the chapter grew its membership and took part in dozens of campaigns — from the Fight for $15 to securing Universal Pre-K for New York City children.

A leading figure in New York’s tenant movement, Johnson helped form numerous tenant organizations across Flatbush and played a key role in the 2018 campaign to strengthen rent laws. During the pandemic, he championed the push for the nation’s longest-running eviction moratorium and helped secure more than $2 billion in rental assistance for struggling New Yorkers.

“As President of our Flatbush Chapter, Leroy organized, empowered, and uplifted his neighbors every single day. This street co-naming is a powerful reminder of the legacy he leaves behind — one of service, love, and enduring community power,” said NYCC Executive Director Olivia Leirer.

Beyond activism, Johnson started a monthly pop-up food and essentials pantry in 2020, provided PPE to residents, and launched an annual sleeping bag drive for homeless New Yorkers. His community leadership began in his native St. Mary, Jamaica, where at age 14 he led a youth club for the Social Development Commission.

After immigrating to New York in 1997, Johnson worked as a security guard before opening a store on Flatbush Avenue in 2004. His life’s work — from grassroots organizing to legislative victories — now lives on at the intersection of Church Avenue and St. Paul’s Place, a lasting marker of his impact.

Jamaican Born Windrush Victim’s 27-Year Exile Ends

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By NAN News Editor

News Americas, LONDON, UK, Fri. Aug. 8, 2025: George Lee, a Jamaican-born British resident exiled for nearly three decades due to Home Office failings, has returned to the UK – closing one of the longest and most harrowing chapters of the Windrush scandal but underscoring the systemic flaws that campaigners say still plague the immigration system.

George Lee, a Windrush scandal victim exiled in Poland for 27 years, has finally returned to the UK. His case exposes ongoing Home Office failures and the urgent need for immigration reform.

Lee, 72, according to The Voice UK, touched down at Birmingham Airport last month, where Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo MBE, Director of the Windrush National Organisation, greeted him with the words: “Welcome home.” Lee’s understated but emotional response: “I’m back.”

Lee arrived in Britain in 1961 at age eight, joining his parents as part of the first generation of Caribbean migrants to rebuild postwar Britain. He grew up in London, working, marrying, and raising a family – until a short-term teaching contract in Poland in 1997 turned into a 27-year exile when the British Embassy in Warsaw refused him re-entry.

Despite nearly four decades of lawful residence, Lee was told he had “no entitlement” to return – a decision that left him stateless, living in deep poverty, and effectively erased from the country he called home. “In Poland, I was a citizen of nowhere,” Lee said. “I want my rights back. I want my dignity back.”

His return comes six years after the Windrush scandal erupted in 2018, revealing how hundreds of Caribbean-born residents were wrongly detained, denied rights, or deported. While the UK government pledged reforms and compensation, critics say Lee’s case shows how policy gaps – and outsourcing consular services to local staff – still fail the most vulnerable.

“This is not just a historic injustice,” Bishop Jaddoo said. “It’s a live one. George’s case is proof that the Home Office and Foreign Office are still passing responsibility between them, leaving victims stranded overseas.”

Lee’s story adds a “new dimension” to the Windrush scandal, Jaddoo said, spotlighting those exiled to third countries—not deported to their birth nations. Lee, for example, spent years facing eviction, living without electricity, and working odd jobs for survival in Poland.

Although the Nationality and Borders Act of 2022 gave the Home Secretary powers to waive residency requirements for people excluded “through no fault of their own,” Lee was instead told to secure a Jamaican passport and apply for a visa—despite his eligibility for the Windrush Scheme.

The Home Office, in a statement to The Voice UK, declined to discuss individual cases but reiterated its commitment to “ensuring victims of the Windrush scandal are heard” and to “speeding up justice” through the appointment of the first Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster.

Campaigners argue that Lee’s return must be more than symbolic. “We can’t just bring people home quietly and hope the scandal is forgotten,” Jaddoo said. “There must be systemic change.”

For Lee, stepping back onto British soil was both a personal and political act. “I have a right to be here,” he said. “I was eight when I came to Britain. I helped build this country. I’m not asking for a favor – I’m asking for my life back.”

U.S. Salutes Jamaica On Independence Day

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By News Americas Staff Writer

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 6, 2025: The United States has extended warm congratulations to the people of Jamaica on its, independence day, as the island nation marks its 63rd year of independence, highlighting the enduring bond between the two countries.

FLASHBACK – Mayor Eric Adams, r., and Consul General Alsion Wilson lead a flag-raising ceremony in honor of Jamaica’s independence at Bowling Green, NYC. (Arthur Piccolo image)

In an official statement released today, the US State Department praised Jamaica’s progress and reaffirmed the close relationship shared by the two nations, especially in the areas of security cooperation and economic development.

“On behalf of the United States, I extend my warm congratulations to the people of Jamaica as they celebrate 63 years of independence,” the message reads.

The U.S. emphasized that the partnership with Jamaica is rooted in mutual efforts to disrupt criminal networks, promote investment, and advance regional stability. It also applauded Jamaica’s continued work to reduce violent crime and stimulate private-sector growth.

“These efforts benefit both Americans and Jamaicans and reinforce our shared commitment to prosperity and national sovereignty,” the statement added.

As Jamaica celebrates its Independence Day, the U.S. expressed hope for deepened collaboration in the years ahead, reaffirming its support for the Caribbean ally.

“We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and wish the people of Jamaica a joyful Independence Day,” the statement concluded.

Jamaica gained independence from British rule on August 6, 1962, and continues to be a key strategic partner of the United States in the Caribbean region.

Fundraising Effort Launched For Children Of Haitian Immigrant Security Guard Killed In NYC Shooting

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By Felicia J. Persaud

News Americas, NEW YORK, York, August 1, 2025: A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $36,000 toward a $250,000 goal to support the children of Aland Etienne, the beloved Haitian immigrant and security guard who was killed earlier this week in a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Aland Etienne, a beloved Caribbean immigrant and security guard who was killed earlier this week in a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Etienne, 46, was working in the building’s lobby Monday evening when authorities say he was fatally shot by Shane Devon Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas. Tamura, armed with an M4-style rifle, wounded several others before proceeding to the building’s upper floors. The office tower houses high-profile tenants including the National Football League and investment firm Blackstone.

Etienne is survived by his two children, whose future the GoFundMe seeks to secure. The page, titled ‘Support Aland Etienne kids after the tragedy,’ notes that “all funds raised will go directly toward their education and well-being, ensuring that even in his absence, his love continues to guide and protect them.”

Etienne’s brother, Smith Etienne, remembered him as a devoted father and a “fantastic” older sibling who inspired those around him. “He was my hero,” he said during a press conference at 32BJ SEIU headquarters on Wednesday. “He was light in every room. He made this city a little safer every day.”

Tamura, the alleged gunman, left behind a rambling suicide note blaming chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) for his deteriorating mental state. He claimed he was attempting to target the NFL but took the wrong elevator. Tamura later died by suicide.

The NYPD confirmed Tamura had a history of mental illness and had expressed grievances about his football-related brain injuries. His note reportedly read, “Study my brain please,” and referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who died by suicide in 2005 and was posthumously diagnosed with CTE.

The fatal shooting has reignited discussions around workplace safety, particularly for front-line security personnel. Etienne was a longtime member of 32BJ SEIU, a union that has previously lost members to similar acts of violence. Union president Manny Pastreich called Etienne a “New York hero.”

“Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line,” Pastreich said in a statement. “Their contributions are essential, though often unappreciated.”

He recalled the 2015 killing of 32BJ member Idrissa Camara, a federal building security officer fatally shot in a similar attack.

Etienne’s widow, Rachelle Paoli, stood alongside union leaders and elected officials during Wednesday’s remarks. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, who is also running for mayor, praised Etienne’s dedication and called for improved protections for building security staff.

The GoFundMe campaign describes Etienne not only as a protector but also as a filmmaker and a proud father who dreamed of a bright future for his children. The fund’s organizers wrote: “We are grieving, we are heartbroken — but we are also hopeful. Hopeful that the same love Aland gave to the world will now be returned to his children.”

As of today, August 1st, over 362 donations have been made.

To contribute to the Etienne Children’s Fund, visit: gofundme.com/f/aland-etienne

Tensions Rise As Sanctioned Businessman Shakes Up Guyana’s Election

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. July 29, 2025: With just weeks to go before Guyana’s pivotal September 1st General and Regional Elections, a political firestorm is brewing around the candidacy of Azruddin Mohamed, a U.S.-sanctioned gold trader and acclaimed billionaire, and leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.

Azruddin Mohamed, the US sanctioned businessman and founder of the WIN party is contesting the Guyana elections and making waves.

Mohamed’s ability to draw a multi-ethnic following in a country dogged for decades by racial politics, particularly in key battlegrounds like Essequibo and Berbice, has set off alarms within both the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the United States government. U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot voiced “deep concern” this week, warning that Mohamed’s potential election to Parliament could disrupt U.S. investment interest in Guyana and complicate bilateral relations.

“If a sanctioned individual becomes a member of government, it could send shockwaves through our private sector partners,” Theriot said, pointing to past examples in other countries where such developments led to economic disengagement.

Mohamed and his father were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2024 for allegedly evading taxes on gold exports totaling more than 10,000 kilograms. Despite this, the WIN party has quickly gained traction, and Mohamed’s visibility on the campaign trail has forced the PPP to intensify its outreach and messaging.

In response, President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo have mounted an aggressive campaign, warning voters that electing WIN candidates – especially Mohamed – would pose a threat to Guyana’s stability and international standing, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela over the Essequibo region.

“Essequibo is not for sale,” Ali told a rally in Anna Regina. “We cannot hand this country over to people with questionable records and uncertain motives.”

To help ensure transparency and legitimacy, two major international electoral watchdogs have stepped in. The Carter Center, which has observed every Guyanese election since 1992, has launched an election observation mission, deploying a team of experts from the U.S., UK, and Georgia. The Center pledged an impartial and thorough assessment, noting that it would engage political parties and civil society throughout the process.

“We are honored to support the Guyanese people in assessing the credibility of the election,” said David Carroll, Director of the Carter Center’s Democracy Program.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has also signed an agreement with the government to deploy its Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), with former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding once again serving as Chief of Mission. This marks the seventh OAS observation mission in Guyana.

OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin stressed that their goal is not to criticize, but to offer “constructive and actionable recommendations that build public trust and institutional strength.”

While six political parties have been approved to contest the general elections, only four – the PPP/C, WIN, the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity, APNU, and the Alliance For Change, AFC – will compete across all ten regional districts. The Elections Commission (GECOM) has confirmed that candidate lists have been vetted and finalized.

Despite increasing scrutiny, WIN remains defiant. In a statement, the party reaffirmed its commitment to free and fair elections, thanking international observers for promoting transparency.

Still, the stakes are high. The PPP is offering its most ambitious package of development promises to date, from agricultural subsidies and new roads to ports, schools, and sports infrastructure – all aimed at retaining its dominance, especially in regions where WIN is gaining ground.

As the campaign enters its final month, Guyana finds itself at a political crossroads: a familiar incumbent facing an unlikely challenger whose candidacy carries both grassroots momentum and geopolitical risk.

All eyes – domestic and international – will be watching the returns on Sept. 1st.

Former Trinidad Prime Minister Briefly Detained in Antigua Allegedly Due To Name On INTERPOL Watch List

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By NAN News Editor

News Americas, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, July 21, 2025: A routine stopover turned into a diplomatic firestorm Monday after Trinidad and Tobago’s former Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, revealed that he had been briefly detained and flagged by immigration officials in Antigua and Barbuda last week, allegedly due to his name appearing on an INTERPOL watch list.

FLASHBACK – Then Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley (C) takes part in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Jefferson Room of the State Department in Washington, DC on January 29, 2024. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The incident, which occurred while Rowley was en route to Montserrat for the 30th anniversary of the island’s Volcano Observatory, has ignited political controversy in Port of Spain, with Rowley denouncing the situation as a “deliberate, calculated attempt to tarnish my name on an international stage.”

Rowley, 75, who stepped down from office in April after nearly a decade at the helm, claimed the incident was rooted in political persecution orchestrated by state entities in his home country.

“This is not just a mistake,” he told reporters at a Monday press briefing. “It is state-sponsored slander.”

Immigration officials in Antigua confirmed that Rowley was momentarily held for questioning due to an alert triggered by INTERPOL systems. He was later released without further incident. According to Rowley, the officer involved cited “mistaken identity” related to another individual being sought by Antiguan police.

But the former leader is unconvinced.

“I find it strange,” he said. “INTERPOL doesn’t casually flag a former head of state. Someone put my name there – and that someone is likely from Trinidad and Tobago.”

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) swiftly denied the claim. In a detailed statement, the agency said its INTERPOL Bureau found no record of Rowley being listed or flagged in any international criminal database. “No alerts, flags, or warrants are associated with his name,” the TTPS said, adding that it had never submitted any such request to INTERPOL.

Still, the damage – at least politically – may already be done.

The opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), which Rowley once led, demanded “immediate and full disclosure” from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the national police commissioner, and the attorney general.

“This development raises troubling questions about political weaponization of international law enforcement mechanisms,” the party said in a statement. “If this can happen to a former Prime Minister, what safeguards exist for ordinary citizens?”

Rowley, who led the country through multiple crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and major energy reforms, is widely respected across the region. His detention has prompted concern among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, who fear a precedent that could undermine diplomatic mobility for current and former officials.

“This isn’t just about me,” Rowley said. “It’s about democratic norms and the abuse of power. Trinidad and Tobago must reckon with this moment.”

While the TTPS emphasized that INTERPOL cannot be manipulated by domestic politics—requiring judicial or prosecutorial oversight for any listing – Rowley insists that someone within the state apparatus abused the system.

“The protocols may be there,” he said, “but so are people willing to violate them.”

As the controversy unfolds, the TTPS has pledged continued transparency. But critics warn that the mere appearance of political interference – even if unsubstantiated – erodes public trust in both local law enforcement and international cooperation.

For now, Rowley is back in Trinidad, uncharged and unflagged. But he’s not letting the issue go.

“I’ve dedicated my life to public service,” he said. “And I will not allow my legacy – or our democracy – to be undermined by cowardice or corruption.”

Team Jamaica Bickle Founder To Be Honored With Visionary Award At NBA’s Star’s Jalen Brunson’s Charity Gala

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NEWS AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 21, 2025: Jamaican-born immigrant advocate, Irwine Clare, Sr. OD, the esteemed founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, is set to be honored with the prestigious Visionary Award at NBA star Jalen Brunson’s 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.

Jamaican-born immigrant advocate, Irwine Clare, Sr. OD, the esteemed founder of Team Jamaica Bickle.

Presented by the Second Round Foundation, the Visionary Award recognizes individuals whose lifelong work has transformed communities and inspired generations. Founded by Brunson, who is of Jamaican heritage, the foundation is committed to empowering youth through education, sports, and mentorship. Its annual Charity Golf Classic and gala support scholarships, community development, and philanthropic honors.

Clare is being recognized for his extraordinary and unwavering dedication to the development of Caribbean student-athletes, particularly in the sport of Track & Field.

“The Second Round Foundation is proud to bestow this great honor to Mr. Clare, a true visionary for his leadership, sacrifice and dedication to young athletes in Jamaica and the Caribbean at large,” said Nija Ali Williams, CEO, Second Round Foundation. “Mr. Clare’s legacy represents the very essence of SRF’s mission to provide equity and access for young people who are striving to become the best version of themselves. For more than thirty years, Mr. Clare’s unwavering commitment to student-athletes through his work at Team Jamaica Bickle has garnered tremendous success and the harvest will continue for decades to come.”

Clare, who also serves as the co-founder and managing director of the Caribbean Immigrant Services, Inc. (CIS), has spent decades mobilizing and empowering the Caribbean Diaspora. Under his leadership since 1995, CIS has helped thousands of Caribbean nationals obtain U.S. citizenship and voting rights. He also previously served on the advisory board of the Jamaican Diaspora USA (Northeast) and was conferred with the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in 2012 for his “invaluable contribution to Jamaicans in the Diaspora.”

Through Team Jamaica Bickle, Clare has supported thousands of athletes from across the Caribbean, providing essential resources including accommodation, meals, and medical support – especially during the annual Penn Relays in Pennsylvania. Since its founding nearly 31 years ago, the organization has raised over US$5 million in support of athletes and sports programs in Jamaica.

Beyond his nonprofit work, Clare is a well-known advocate and media voice, hosting Caribbean Lifestyle TV, co-hosting The Fact of the Matter radio show on 93.5 FM, and serving as a Director on the Caribbean World News Network. His leadership has extended across numerous civic and advocacy groups, including the Jamaica Progressive League, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations, and the NAACP.

The Visionary Award will be presented during a special gala celebration that brings together community leaders, sports legends, and supporters from around the globe to honor changemakers like Clare.

About Team Jamaica Bickle

Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization that provides hospitality services for Caribbean athletes participating in the Penn Relays and other major competitions. Since its founding, TJB has grown into a major support system for Caribbean athletics. Support the organization at https://www.teamjamaicabickle.org/

Why The Haitian Flag Decision In Lake Worth Beach Feels Like Erasure

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BY NAN News Editor

News Americas, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Fri. July 18, 2025: Lake Worth Beach has long flown the Haitian flag alongside the American and LGBTQIA+ flags—not just as decoration, but as a symbol of deep-rooted cultural pride, especially during Haitian Heritage Month each May.

But that symbol was quietly stripped away on July 1, when the city commission voted 4–1 against raising the Haitian flag this year, WLRN reported, citing vague “First Amendment concerns.” For many in the community, it felt like more than a policy change. It felt like erasure.

Contrast that with NYC, where Mayor Eric Adams joins the Haitian community and Bowling Green Association Chairman Arthur Piccolo in raising the flag of Haiti in Bowling Green, NYC annually. (Twitter image/City of New york)

The Haitian community makes up a vibrant, visible part of Lake Worth Beach. Each spring, schools host cultural events, students wear traditional colors, and commissioners attend parades celebrating Haiti’s history of revolution and resilience. The flag was always more than cloth—it was identity.

So why now?

Commissioner Anthony Segrich raised the issue, arguing that allowing one ethnic flag opens the door to potentially offensive or politically charged flags—including, in a jarring example, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flag. The comparison outraged community leaders and educators, especially amid rising fears over immigrant deportation crackdowns.

“If ICE wanted to fly a flag, would you support that?” Segrich asked during the meeting. “There are members of the community who would.”

That hypothetical chilled Andrew Cavanagh, a Lake Worth High School teacher who works closely with Haitian-American students. “It seems like they’re distancing themselves from our Haitian population… It’s a little scary right now,” he told WLRN.

The vote left many confused. Commissioner Sarah Malega initially opposed the measure, stating: “At a time right now where there’s division in this country, I will not turn my back on either one of those communities.” Yet she ultimately joined the majority, supporting Segrich’s idea of flying only the U.S. and LGBTQIA+ flags as a city-sanctioned statement of inclusion—while suggesting a new “Lake Worth Beach” flag might one day replace ethnic symbols.

Commissioner Christopher McVoy was the lone dissenting vote. “There is no harm in putting up flags from other parts,” he argued, calling the vote unnecessary and hurtful.

The backlash isn’t about flag policy alone. It’s about what this moment represents—a growing tension in America’s sanctuary cities, where local leaders are navigating cultural inclusion, political polarization, and national immigration battles in real time.

Lake Worth Beach is home not just to Haitians, but also Guatemalan and Finnish communities. Yet none of those groups have seen their flags raised regularly, either. So why is the Haitian flag – —one of only two flags besides the U.S. to ever fly over city hall—now in the crosshairs?

The meeting’s agenda didn’t make the vote’s implications clear, and community members say they weren’t adequately informed. That lack of transparency has fueled distrust.

There’s no question that Lake Worth Beach needs a clear, inclusive flag policy. But in a city that calls itself a sanctuary, the removal of the Haitian flag—a powerful symbol of freedom and diaspora strength—raises troubling questions about whose culture is seen, and whose is quietly pushed aside.

With Haitian immigrants facing increasing marginalization nationwide, this local decision feels all the more symbolic—and not in a good way.