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Brooklyn, New York
-- Aimed at coordinating a united community
effort in response to the destruction in Haiti,
the West Indian American Day Carnival
Association has put out a call for an outpouring
of love, prayers and solidarity to salute the
resilience of the Haitian People. “Haiti We Love
You” is the theme of a massive solidarity march
and rally that will take place on Saturday,
January 30, 2010. Collaborating with several
other community service organizations, local
elected officials and Caribbean clergy, the West
Indian American Day Carnival Association -- the
driving force behind the annual West Indian
Carnival Parade -- is hopeful that this visual
outpouring of love will help bring healing to
wounded hearts and broken spirits. “In times of
celebration and joy we come together as one
people and salute our common heritage with
revelry,” says Yolanda Lezama-Clark, President
of WIADCA and VP of the Carlos Lezama Archives &
Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C). “It is
befitting that in this time of deep sorrow that
the West Indian American Day Carnival
Association is used as a vehicle to stage a
united response from our community.”
Beginning at 11:00 on the morning of January 30,
a massive gathering of supporters will begin their march from the corner of
Church and Rogers Avenues in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn and pass
through the hub of Haitian-American community. The procession will culminate
with an information rally and cultural expressions at the Plaza of Medgar Evers
College.
Organizers of the march recognize that the
magnitude of this catastrophe is inconceivable and people are overwhelmed by the
innumerable disaster relief initiatives. The “Haiti We Love You” rally will
provide updates and connect people to local initiatives that are happening in
the community. With a visible response by people in the streets, “Haiti We Love
You” provides the opportunity to convey to the Haitian people that they are not
alone in their struggle to rebuild and our continued prayers and support go out
to them.
Co-sponsoring organizations include -- Mas &
Steelband Organizations, United States Steelband Association, Carlos Lezama
Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C), Caricom Consular Corps, House of
the Lord Church, Medgar Evers College, (CUNY), Community Service Society (CSS),
Trinidad & Tobago Alliance, J’ouvert City International, Inc., Savoir Faire,
Bench Warmers Rhythm Section, Casanovas, Phagwa, Natural Expressions, Kutters,
Trinidad & Tobago Ex-Police Association, Forgotten Children of Haiti, Foundation
Evangelique for Development of Haiti, Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association,
Grenada Nurses Association, International African-American Arts Festival, Halefo,
Life for the World, Inc., Radio Soleil, Everybody’s Magazine, 1199, Drums of
Freedom, Spice Island, Hearts of Steel, Something Positive, The Court of St.
Michael Spiritual Baptist Church, Kings County Hospital Center, Abstract
Entertainment (Panjazz), Anasta Boxing & Sports Club and Mount Hope Spiritual
Baptist Church.
For further information,
www.wiadca.com or telephone
at (718) 467-1797.
From the news desk of WIADCA - The West Indian
American Day Carnival Association
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