CTApril07.qxd 4/4/07 10:47 AM Page 1 PRESORTED APRIL 2007 STANDARD ® U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIAMI, FL PERMIT NO. 7315 Tel: (305) 238-2868 1-800-605-7516 [email protected] [email protected] W e cover your world Vol. 18 No. 5 Jamaica: 654-7282 THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING NEWS MAGAZINE Dr. Denzil Douglas has led the Caribbean community’s call for a “complete and unequivo- cal” apology from leaders of all colonial powers for their role in the “despicable” trans- Atlantic slave trade, page 2. A strong Caribbean link is at the heart of unfolding aviation his- tory. ~ After a two-year battle with the law, Caribbean- Jamaican- born politician Fitzroy Salesman is free of criminal born Miami charges and ready to resume duties as a Miramar resident Barrington Irving Jr. has taken city commissioner in Florida, page 2. off on a journey to become the youngest pilot ever to fly solo around the world, page 8. Reggae star Luciano led Caribbean-flavored perform- ances that highlighted the “Jazz in the Gardens” music festival in Miami last month, page 15. CALL CARIBBEAN TODAY DIRECT FROM JAMAICA 654-7782 INSIDE News . .2 Viewpoint . .11 Arts/Entertainment . .15 Region . .20 Local . .7 Brides and Honeymoons . .12 Business . .16 FYI . .22 Feature . .8 Health . .14 Spring Education . .17 Sport . .23 CALL CARIBBEAN TODAY DIRECT FROM JAMAICA 654-7782 CTApril07.qxd 4/4/07 10:47 AM Page 2 2 CARIBBEAN TODAY April 2007 www.caribbeantoday.com NEWS Salesman freed of criminal charges, Caribbean demands ‘complete, returns to Miramar City Commission unequivocal’ slave trade apology DAMIAN P. GREGORY police, in April 2005 Salesman of about $60,000, according to refused to stop his silver Florida law. UNITED NATIONS, New United Nations. Mercedes when they attempt- Despite the charges, York - The Caribbean commu- “However, it is important itzroy Salesman does nity (CARICOM) has called that leaders of such nations not think he has Salesman always maintained his innocence, even as the for a “complete and unequivo- offer to the descendants of Fchanged much in the last cal” apology from leaders of all African slaves, who were two years. media splashed his alleged drunken mug shot on the news. colonial powers for their role in brought to the Caribbean and He is still charismatic and the “despicable” trans-Atlantic the Americas, a complete and unafraid to speak his mind - “It was a big sensational story,” he said. “Media trucks slave trade. unequivocal apology,” Douglas all traits that have served him Speaking on behalf of added. well in the six years that have were in my neighborhood talking to my neighbors.” CARICOM, St. Kitts and “It is undisputed that such been hallmarks of his life in Nevis’s Prime Minister Dr. nations were developed on the the public eye. But his Mar. 26 acquittal, he said, has not received nearly Denzil Douglas told the United blood, sweat and tears of our Now the once powerful Nations General Assembly enslaved forefathers; and it is South Florida politician is anx- as much attention. The politi- cian said no television cameras (UNGA) that while it is com- only right, and the decent iously looking forward to mendable that some leaders thing to do, to make amends returning to his post as were there when a jury cleared him of all charges, after delib- have expressed “deep sorrow” and extend their apologies into Miramar city commissioner for the event, it is opportune the realm of atonement for the after being freed of criminal Salesman erating for two hours. “I understand it,” he that others do the same now. legal and economic support for charges. “It is my hope that leaders the atrocities that were the “I knew that it was only a ed to pull him over at 3:45 claimed. a.m. They claimed he was of other nations that supported norm of the slave trade and matter of time,” Salesman and profited from the inhu- slavery. told Caribbean Today shortly going 61 miles per hour in a REFOCUS 35 mile per hour zone at the On Mar. 30, Salesman was mane activity will come for- “Countries that were after his acquittal. ward in like manner,” Douglas engaged in the slave trade and Salesman, 50, was freed time. Salesman allegedly ran a reinstated as city commission- four-way stop sign before er by current Gov. Charlie told the special commemora- slavery have a moral obligation late last month after a three- tive event on the 200th to make right those crimes day trial for driving under the pulling into his driveway and Crist. He said he is now inter- had a blood alcohol level of ested in refocusing his atten- Anniversary of the Trans- against humanity,” Douglas said. influence of alcohol and flee- Atlantic Slave Trade late last ing a police officer, felony .16 or twice the legal limit tion on the issues that he under Florida law. He was believes were the reasons he month. NO CLAIM charges that could have land- The event was organized The St. Kitts and Nevis ed him in jail for years. Yet, he arrested and charged. got re-elected to another four- year term in Mar. 2005, just collaboratively by the CARI- is still puzzled why he landed COM diplomatic corps and the (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4) in hot water in the first place. SUSPENDED months before his suspension. “The whole thing did not In June 2005, then Florida Those issues, which include make sense,” Salesman Governor Jeb Bush suspend- redevelopment of the city, Obama meets Caribbean explained. ed him from his $31,599-a- easing traffic congestion and “You don’t run away from year job on the five-member education, will be among his the police and head to your Miramar City Commission. top priorities when he nationals at Florida stop home.” Now that he has been exoner- According to Miramar ated he is entitled to back pay (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4) CORAL GABLES, Florida - beaming after her young son Barack Obama, the freshman shook the 45-year-old sena- United States senator from tor’s hand. “This is a big deal 100 Haitian refugees sail into South Florida Illinois who rose to national attention after speaking at the sailboat carrying more in the country, Haitians are Meek sent letters addressed to 2004 Democratic convention than 100 Haitians usually sent back. Michael Rozos, field office and one of the leading candi- landed in South Meanwhile, some local director U.S. Immigration and dates for his party’s presiden- A tial nomination, made a stop Florida late last month. activists have asked that the Customs Enforcement (ICE) According to United Hatians not be deported. and Julie L. Myers, assistant here late last month to meet a States officials, many of the “We fear these people will secretary for ICE, asking receptive audience of party Haitians were hungry, tired be deported right away,” “that these Haitian nationals faithful including many and sick when they arrived at Marleine Bastien, executive be detained in South Florida, Caribbean nationals. Hallandale Beach and several The Mar. 25 campaign had to be taken to hospital stop at the posh Biltmore after being at sea for weeks. Hotel was one of several Dehydration had reportedly scheduled for the area in what left a few in critical condition. is expected to be a key battle- The body of on intended ground state in the Nov. 2008 U.S. presidential elections. Obama woos support in South Florida. refugee, who apparently died - Photograph by Peter Webley during the journey, washed Florida was the decisive state ashore. in the 2000 elections and was One newspaper quoted a hotly contested in the last for him (her son).” U.S. Coast Guard officer as presidential race four years Jamaican-born attorney saying it was the largest land- later. Marlon Hill was recognized by ing of Haitians on American “We’re here to change the Obama as he thanked several soil since October 2002, when nature of politics,” the presi- key supporters who helped to more than 200 Haitians made dential hopeful told an enthu- mobilize the standing room it to shore at Key Biscayne, siastic crowd gathered at the only crowd for the 25-minute Florida. event aimed at raising a mini- speech that hit on democratic The boat used by the 101 mum of $250 per person. party themes, including the A man takes a look at the sailboat which brought more than 100 Haitians to Hallandale “I’ve been there long war in Iraq, the need to have Haitians was described by a Beach, Florida. Coast Guard spokeswoman as enough to know Washington better healthcare coverage for “unseaworthy and grossly needs to change.” working Americans and edu- overloaded.” director of Haitian Women of and not sent to other states or cation. Miami, an advocacy group, other regions” of the U.S. SUPPORT Obama is expected to PLEAS was quoted as saying in one “I believe that this is absolute- His message appeared to make several other campaign Up to press time it was newspaper. ly essential to insure the fair have wooed several in the stops in South Florida as the still unclear what the fate of “These Haitians, just like treatment of these detainees”, audience. election nears. the surviving Haitians would the Cubans, should be afford- the letter added. “I’m a registered be. While U.S. law allows ille- ed the right to due process.” Republican, but Obama is my - Damian P. Gregory gal refugee Cubans to remain Congressman Kendrick ® choice,” one lady told Caribbean Today, her face ® CTApril07.qxd 4/4/07 10:48 AM Page 3 April 2007 CARIBBEAN TODAY 3 CTApril07.qxd 4/4/07 10:48 AM Page 4 4 CARIBBEAN TODAY April 2007 www.caribbeantoday.com NEWS Groups want illegal immigrants given access to driver’s licenses IN THE NAME OF HAITI NEW YORK, CMC – A coali- he demanded, stating that access changes to their policies so that tion of community groups in to driver’s licenses is a labor and families are no longer suffering New York has called on civil rights issue that would because they cannot obtain dri- Governor Elliott Spitzer and the make all New Yorkers “safer ver’s licenses or state ID (iden- Department of Motor Vehicles and more secure.” tification) cards based on ille- (DMV) to grant “fair access” to gally promulgated rules and driver’s licenses for undocu- OBSTACLE immigration status,” he added.