Amid the sounds of tassa drumming and jubilation, the Little Guyana Avenue sign was unveiled on Saturday, with Mayor Bill de Blasio lauding the Guyanese community for “contributing to the leadership in New York City in a very big way.”
The sign is at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard, a prominent spot, and cannot be missed when stepping off the platform of ‘A’ train.
The co-naming of Little Guyana Avenue and Liberty Avenue has brought great pride in the hearts of Guyanese, who braved heavy downpours to be a part of the grand celebration.
Mayor de Blasio, decked out in a Guyana flag face mask, joked, “I thought I’d throw on a mask today, something high fashioned.”
He was proud to be the “leader of the largest Guyanese community outside of Guyana,” and recognised that “Guyana has not only done a lot for New York City but represents people of different backgrounds and ethnicities coming together as one. …We celebrate something powerful here.”
“A community so worthy of respect, of appreciation… is finally being seen, finally being understood, finally being acknowledged… this is your day for all you’ve done for this city and nation!”
Following the ceremony at the Leo F Kearns Parking Lot, the Mayor, together with Councilwoman, Adrienne Adams; District Leader, Richard David; Congressman Gregory Meeks and other officials from the Mayor’s office, as well as Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy and the gathering, marched behind the tassa drummers to unveil the sign.
The Mayor noted that despite being hit by the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and passing through many crisis and challenges, the Guyanese community stood strong and “showed the world the power of New York City…”
He thanked them for “everything you do for New York City. I thank you for bringing the culture, the joy, the music, the rotis, the curries, the pepperpot,” while mentioning that he notices Sybil’s Bakery whenever he passes on the Van Wyck Expressway.
Councilwoman Adams, alluded to the historic day of celebration and officially acknowledged and honoured the achievements of the Guyanese-American community. The co-naming was made possible after she voted to approve the legislation in December 2020.
Adams, an American, who said she is the “proud daughter-in-law of Julius Ignatius Adams of Georgetown, Guyana”, noted that Queens is the most diverse community, with neighbours from all corners of the world.”
She said they have brought their languages, their cultures and traditions to their new home in Richmond Hill, which means so much to her that she “made it a priority to make an invisible community visible by naming Punjab Avenue… and now Little Guyana Avenue.”
She reiterated that despite facing “difficult times to the killer pandemic, we still survive, we still thrive… and so today the co-naming of Liberty Avenue is a real tribute to you… the community members who have endeavoured and made their mark on our community and our great city…”
The Councilwoman noted too that “the sign would serve as a reminder of the accomplishments in the long legacy of community building that your families have contributed to.”
Persaud, who conveyed greetings from President Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana on the momentous occasion, was proud that the street co-naming was born from the recognition of the contributions that Guyanese have made decades ago.
He noted that it came three days after Guyana’s 55th Independence anniversary and “at a time when Guyana is moving in a very positive and significant way in bettering the conditions of all of our people.”
He encouraged the Guyanese to think about Guyana whenever they see the sign, and about how they can participate in their country.
The Guyana government wants to engage the diaspora in a significant way, and Persaud sees the co-naming as a means of connecting them with Guyana.
Persaud said that there are lots of plans to improve the livelihood of Guyanese and lauded the diaspora for their support after Guyana’s last elections, in advocating and ensuring that democracy was preserved.
Congressman Meeks, whose wife is a Guyanese, told the gathering that the US is a better place because of their contributions and their culture.
Liberty Avenue and the entire Richmond Hill area in Queens, had always been referred to as Little Guyana because of the huge population of Guyanese and of the many businesses that were established there, especially those that provided local items that they were accustomed to back home.
Popular Guyanese singer, Terry Gajraj entertained the gathering with parts of this songs, including ‘Richmond a Little Guyana,’ which put everyone in a ‘party mood,’ as they danced and waved their Guyana flags.
Dr. Dhanpaul Narine, an educator, had told this newspaper that, “Liberty Avenue is more than symbolic. It encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of the immigrants.”
Liberty Avenue has been the main shopping hub and tourist destination for Guyanese from around NY and for those visiting from other parts of the US and from Canada, who long for a ‘taste of home.’