FREE www.caribbeanlifenews.com QUEENS/LONG ISLAND/BRONX/MANHATTAN Apr. 21–Apr. 27, 2017 Carib Week set for June 3 TURMOIL IN By Nelson A. King The Barbados-based Car- ibbean Tourism Organiza- tion (CTO) says Caribbean Week New York will come alive in the Big Apple in early June with a celebration of the sights, sounds, color, cuisine and culture of the Caribbean. SURINAME Organization officials said that from June 3-10, tourism Protestors back industry executives, media, travel agents, consumers and students from across on the streets the Caribbean Diaspora will come together to participate By Bert Wilkinson Suriname is experiencing Continued on Page 30 labor — and political — pains again. Like they did Just like they did when former Suriname Bahamas military strongman Desi Bout- erse’s National Democratic Party (NDP) dominated a coa- lition government at the close elections of the 1990s, political oppo- sition, labor and civil society are once again ganging up on on May 10 his administration, protesting what they say are unbearable living conditions. By Azad Ali Nearly 20 years ago, dissi- Bahamians will go to the dents forced Bouterse to call polls on May 10, 2017 to elect early general elections — which a new government. Prime he lost —after the nation’s Minister Perry Christie made plunged into debt as authori- the announcement at the ties overspent by millions while Office of the Prime Minis- constructing two magnificent, ter on April 12, 2017 shortly fixed river bridges that made after Commissioner of Police access to the west and east- Ellison Greenslade, read a ern districts much easier than proclamation from Governor before. General Dame Marguerite Now, thousands of protes- Pindling dissolving Parlia- tors are back on the streets ment. of Paramaribo, the capital city Greenslade also read a sec- of the Dutch-speaking Carib- ond proclamation revealing bean trade bloc nation, railing that Parliament will recon- against a clear decline in living vene on May 24. standards as the country has In his address, Prime Min- again run out of cash under ister Christie said it is now NDP leadership. left to the citizenry of the Eggs-citement in Queens On Tuesday, heavily-armed nation to decide who will The Easter Bunny entertained happy children at the Easter Eggs’Travaganza at Roy police rounded up and arrest- fill those seats in the next Wilkins Park and Family Center in Jamaica, Queens Photo by Tangerine Clarke ed several labor leaders at the Continued on Page 14 Continued on Page 30 NEW PATIENTS* • Thorough Examination • Oral Cancer Screening • X-Rays Beautiful SmileBeautifulSmileBeautifulSmileSmile • Basic Teeth Cleaning $ Reg. 89 $425 Not Everyone Was Born With It... *unless gum disease is present ® Affordable Gentle Dental Care INVISALIGN SPECIAL at Sparkle Dental Specialists on staff: Endodontist (Root Canal Specialist) • Periodontist (Gum Specialist) Prosthodontist (Implants & Bridges Specialist) Starting At $3,999 FREE Treatment Consultation Required Are you tired of loose fitting dentures, or constantly using paste to keep Call Today! Your Dental Insurance may cover them in? Finally, here is the solution! up to $1500 and retainers $750 Reg. total for Invisalign including retainers $6,300 The “Prettau Permanent Implant Bridge” is now available at Sparkle Dental! ‘’Stop the endless dental cycle of replacing failing root canals, large fillings, DENTURES LOOSE? problematic gum disease, etc. The Prettau Zirconia Implant Bridge is the future of dentistry to replace missing teeth, a denture, or failing dental work’’ USING PASTE? Dr. Rohit Patel WE HAVE THE SOLUTION The Prettau Bridge- You can have all your teeth permanently replaced with the Prettau Zirconia 100% Zirconia The Prettau Zirconia Implant bridge! All other implant centers use acrylic that chips, stains and PRETTAU BRIDGE wears over time. It is also a healther choice for you as there is no toxic acrylic, No acrylic, No chipping Implant Bridge looks and and the cost of the Prettau Bridge is less than the acrylic choices. 100% ZIRCONIA No compromises! feels like your own teeth No Acrylic, No Chipping & Natural Look 914-668-1722 153 Stevens Ave., Ste. 1 BLEEDING GUMS? Mt. Vernon, NY Teeth Feel Loose? We reserve the right to submit for insurance reimbursement to the doctor for exam, consultation & X-ray Partial Denture Loose? Nos Comprendemos e Falamos o Portugues • Se Habla Español Gum Disease can cause sparkledental.com serious Health Issues! FREE GUM DR. ROHIT PATEL Former Assistant Clinical Professor of Dentistry Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Attending Dentists, Montefiore Medical Center, NY. 30 Years in Practice. EVALUATION! DR. SITKI MURAT DOGUS Prosthodontist, is a Clinical Instructor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, NY. DR. DANIEL GREENBAUM Board Certified Prosthodtist, with advanced training in implantology and periodontology. DDS Degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in NY. 2 Caribbean Life, Apr. 21–Apr. 27, 2017 BQ Justice documentary shown ‘13th Amendment’ film is screened for a Queens audience By Tangerine Clarke A wide cross-section of the Jamaica, Queens communi- ty viewed the gut-wrench- ing injustices meted out to minorities in the criminal justice system, in a free pub- lic screening of the Netflix Minister of National Security, Hon. original documentary film Peter Bunting (right), converses — 13th Amendment, pre- with Deputy Commissioner of Po- sented by York City Council lice (DCP), George Quallo, at the Member I. Daneek Miller, and offi cial opening of the refurbished the 18b Assigned Counsel Negril Police Station in Westmore- Association of Queens Fam- land recently. ily Court. Jamaica Information Service / Glenis A. Rose The April 7, outreach of the Assigned Council Panel at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, was one of many programs that include a win- New top ter coat drives, and commu- nity forums, organized by the professional panel, commit- ted to fairness and equality, cop for and who felt it was imperative to educate the community about this primary document of the 13th Amendment to Jamaica the Unites States Constitu- tion – abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude. By Azad Ali However, President, Sara Jamaica will have a new commis- A. Tirgary Esq, said the film sioner of police later this month, clearly shows that the aboli- replacing Dr. Carl Williams who went tion of slavery was replaced Some of the members of the 18B Assigned Counsel Association of Queens Family on pre-retirement leave in January with an increased prosecu- Court, pictured with Sara A. Tirgary, Association president, Council member Rory this year. tion of the minority commu- L. Lancman, and Council Member I. Daneek Miller at the Jamaica Performing Arts George Quallo, who is a 40-year- nity, making mass incarcera- Center in Queens. Tangerine Clarke old police veteran, will take over the tion a substitute for slavery. helm of the Jamaica Constabulary As such, the body has rec- something from this film Ogle Esq. who has been a to educate the community Force (JFC) from April 18, 2017. ognized the need to work with them to share in the member for 18 years, and about the legal system and The Ministry of National Security with community groups, community, and share with who was emcee, noted that to help those in crisis and said in a statement that Quallo had organization, political lend- those who have been affected the panel has just began to unable to afford legal repre- demonstrated the ability to lead the ers, and its clients to raise by the injustices of the pris- take steps to reach out to sentation. JFC at an important point of transfor- awareness to squash intol- on system,” he added. the community by holding The screening was held mation, strengthening relationships erance, and demand all be “I look forward to work- events such as the screen- in conjunction with Con- with the other bodies that make up treated fairly, equally, and ing with each and everyone ing, educating attorneys on gressman Gregory Meeks, the islands security services. with respect, said Tirgary. in the community to bring issues such as immigration, NYS Sen. Leroy Comre, However, some observers say the Titled – “From Slave to about reform,” Councilman and participating in fundrais- NYS Assemblewoman Alicia new top cop will also have a tough Criminal with one Amend- Miller, said. ers to carry out the group’s Hyndman, and NYS Assem- task of arresting the country’s crime ment,” the film by Ava Duv- Rorary L. Lancman, Dis- mission to support members blyman Clyde Vanel. problem with some 1,300 people ernay, director of the Civil trict 24 council member with the best services avail- Assigned Council mem- killed last year alone and increase Rights movie, “Selma,” was and chair of the New York able so that they in turn, can bers included: Andrea S. from the previous two years. narrated by academics, histo- City Council Committee on give quality legal representa- Ogle, Esq. Quallo joined the JFC in l976 and rians, and professionals, who, Courts and Legal services, tion to those who need it. Robert Silverberg, Esq. has held numerous positions. painted a bleak picture of the commended, Council Mem- To honor the 49th Anni- Maria De La Cruz, Esq. He was credited for restructuring lives of millions of black and ber Miller, for helping to versary of the assassination Valadimir Cadet, Esq. the Manchester Police Division, using Latino men and women who reform the criminal system, of the Rev. Martin Luther Anthony Agustus, Esq. policing principles as the major strat- are behind bars for minor “where thousands of people King Jr., some members of Ade Agbayewa, Esq. Mari- egy resulting in a large reduction in crimes, and who spend are sitting in prison await- the panel recited Maya Ange- cel Gonzalez, Esq.