Caribbean-born, New York-based media entrepreneur and columnist, Felicia J. Persaud, was among tens of thousands in the United States joining the march nationally for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, (CIR), on Saturday, October 5, 2013.
The Hard Beat Communications executive, along with Guyanese Valence Williams and Menes De Griot were the lone Caribbean nationals joining the New York Immigration Coalition organized rally in Brooklyn, NY, as they put the spotlight on the voiceless Caribbeans who are undocumented and desperate for immigration reform yet remain in the shadows.
Carrying a sign that read simply: “Caribbeans Too Need Immigration Reform,” Persaud, founder of CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now and Invest Caribbean Now, who has penned her 46th open letter to President Obama in her weekly column in the New York Amsterdam News calling for immigration reform now, got the thumbs up from Chirlane McCray, the wife of New York City mayoral front-runner, Bill de Blasio, whose roots extend to the Caribbean, as she proudly carried her sign around Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, NY.
Then along with De Griot on the drum and Williams on the cowbells, Persaud marched over the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday afternoon along with thousands of mainly Latino advocates to send a message to President Obama and the U.S. Congress that passage of comprehensive reform reform was an issue just as important as the debt ceiling and the re-opening of the government.
“The fact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and consuls worldwide are largely open because of immigrants fees and the government shutdown has not affected them tells why the Congress needs to pass CIR now,” Persaud said.
Though they were only three, the small Caribbean contingent stole the show with their rhythm and sent a clear message that the Caribbean was in the house and also needed immigration reform.
