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Tribute to Marcus Garvey in historic Queen’s Park

As Barbados continues to celebrate the Season of Emancipation, The Prime Minister’s Office Culture and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) invited the public to join in commemorating the life and times of Marcus Garvey at historic Queen’s Park on August 17^th 2022 at 6 p.m.

The event highlighted Jamaican Marcus Garvey’s influence on the development of the Pan-Africanism in Barbados and the wider Barbadian society in general during the 20^th century and the first two decades of the 21^st century.

Queen’s Park holds great significance to the Marcus Garvey Day since it was at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed where he delivered a powerful lecture to hundreds of his supporters entitled: “Intelligence Versus Ignorance”.

Garvey Club Inc. U. N. I. A. (Universal Negro Improvement Association) April 1943 in New York City.

The lecture was held in the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre and delivered by Rodney Worrell PhD, on the topic Marcus Garvey’s Impact on the Barbadian Landscape 1919-2019. Dr. Rodney Worrell is a lecturer in the Department of History & Philosophy at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. He has written extensively on Pan-Africanism. His latest book is George Padmore’s Black Internationalism.

Along with a lecture, there were performances from spoken word and musical artistes.

Event Planner at the NCF Stacia Bryan said the date is an important one in the Season of Emancipation and the day’s programming seeks to remind Barbadians of Garvey’s impact on society.

“This year, we are presenting performance interpretation from spoken word and musical artistes reflective of the work of Marcus Garvey and his followers. As the NCF does this, we seek to re-educate Barbadians about the Black Power Movement and its impact on Barbadian People, politicians, Governments, Rastafarians, and the Pan-African formations,” Bryan said.

In the early hours of October 18^th 1937, leader of the Pan-Africanist movement and President General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA,) Marcus Garvey sailed into Barbados on the C.N.S Lady Nelson.

Thousands of Black Barbadians gathered at the Pier Head to glimpse the revolutionary Pan-Africanist from Saint Ann, Jamaica. Garvey was greeted by several dignitaries from the local UNIA branches and the local Black business sector.

Garvey’s widely popularised stance on Black entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency, along with his crusade for rehabilitation of the African race had gained tremendous traction in Barbados where the Planter-class continued its dominance socially, economically culturally and politically.

The first Universal Negro Improvement Association’s chapter was established in 1919 on Reid Street/Tudor Street. Later branches emerged in Westbury Road, and in the rural districts of Crab Hill, St Lucy, Indian Ground St Peter and others. By 1920 the UNIA had a membership of over 1800.

The membership of the UNIA was comprised of the black working and middle classes, for example, John Beckles, JTC Ramsey, Clennell Wickham.

The Barbados Working Men’s Association, the industrial and business arm of the Democratic League that was formed by[Text Wrapping Break]Dr Charles Duncan O’Neale, was inspired by Garvey and embraced the philosophy and practices of Garveyism.

The UNIA worked closely with the WMA. Both organisations were closely monitored by local police and were subjected to heavy criticisms by right-wing supporters as they were seen as major antagonists of the merchant-planter elites.

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George