Thousands of Guyanese and other Caribbean people congregated last Saturday September 7 at a large public park in Schenectady, Upstate New York, for an annual day of entertainment and summer picnic; thousands of Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals are settled in that city and surrounding area that is a couple hours away driving from New York City. Guyanese settled there during the 2000s because of low cost home ownership. Dave Narine of West Indian Stores had a sister living in the area doing community area and related to Dave about the low cost of houses in the area. Dave, Bhola Ramsundar, Herman Singh, and Kawal Totaram visited Schenectady’s City Hall and met the Mayor and Council members. The mayor and Council members in turn were invited to visit Queens and meet Guyanese to promote their town. The mayor made multiple visits to Queens, pitching settlement in his city. This led to thousands of Guyanese leaving NYC and settling in Schenectady.
Last Saturday’s event was planned and organized by the City Council with inputs from local organizations. The bulk of the attendees were Guyanese with a sprinkling from other Caribbean territories. Guyanese living in Albany and surrounding towns also patronized the event. Guyanese from the Bronx and Queens drove up to attend the day’s events. Popular singer Terry Gajraj entertained the crowd. The Angle Band provided live entertainment.
The gathering enjoyed an afternoon of engaging conversations, delightful refreshments (attendees brought their own), inspiring stories and music (Bollywood songs and chutney). Representatives from the Consul General and the US Embassy in Washington and Minister Ashni Singh, who was visiting New York, graced the event.
A large number of Guyanese have settled in Schenectady, moving from New York City. Guyanese first came as immigrants to USA during World War II to work in war industries, settling after the war in various cities. Early Guyanese migrants also came as domestic workers, teachers, and other professionals in the 1940s and settled down in various cities. But the bulk of Guyanese came after independence in 1966, settling in the New York area after Passage of the 1965 Immigration Act. Today, more Guyanese live in USA than in Guyana and the rest of the diaspora. The largest Guyanese population in the US is in the New York City Metropolitan Area followed by Florida and other states. Guyanese first settled in Schenectady in the new millennium, purchasing homes. Houses in Schenectady was a fifth of the prices in New York City at the time. The Guyanese have established a vibrant community with temples, a masjid, cultural institutions, shops, clubs or bars, and restaurants. Guyanese John Mootooveren was first elected to the Council 2011 and is till serving as a Council Members and also served as Mayor for several years. Schenectady has the fourth largest concentration of Guyanese after NY, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale-Miami. A large number of Guyanese are also settled in Jersey City, Long Island, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, and in other cities.
At the event, congregants played games and engaged in several festivities of merrymaking, drinking, and feasting. They recalled memories of growing up in Guyana and used the occasion to tell folktales.
The Consul General of Guyana, Ambassador Mark Brotherson, said his office patronized the event as part of its and the Guyana government outreach program. “We are promoting the ‘One Guyana’ concept, promulgating and encouraging Guyanese diaspora engagement, and associating the Consulate with diaspora activities. We have organized events around the metro area and patronized events held by Guyanese associations in order to bring communities together. Minister Dr Ashni Singh was at the event. Representatives of our office attended summer public events and we were at Labor Day March in Brooklyn as well”.
Jass Persaud who drove up from Queens said it was a very delightful experience. “It was excellent entertainment and display of patriotism. I didn’t realize there were so many Guyanese living in the area. People came together in a massive crowd to enjoy themselves and renew relationship”.
