#UnitedStatesofAmerica, September 9, 2021 – Hundreds of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica gathered on Saturday, September 4 in Paterson, New Jersey, to witness the renaming of one of the major streets in that city, to recognise the outstanding contribution that Jamaicans have made to the city.

Vreeland Avenue, between 17th and 19th Avenues, was renamed ‘Jamaica Way’, and was unveiled by the City’s Mayor, André Sayegh.

“The naming of a portion of Vreeland Avenue, Jamaica Way, is a proud moment for our multicultural municipality,” the Mayor said.  He pointed out that the area has a significant population of Jamaicans and is home to numerous Jamaican businesses.

“I am honoured to support the street naming and would like the world to know that ‘one love’ is what we strive for in ‘one Paterson’, which is a better place because of Jamaicans who call our city home,” Mayor Sayegh said.

“Today we are finally going to pay tribute to a country that has contributed so much to the city of Paterson. There is no better way than Jamaica Way,” the Mayor added.

In her message to mark the occasion, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport,  Hon. Olivia Grange, said the Government had taken “note of all that you continue to do to ensure that Jamaica stands at the centre of commerce, culture and social engagement in the city of Paterson, New Jersey”.

“The renaming of this street is a testament to the span of influence spawned by members of the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States. We on the rock continue to be proud of Jamaicans all over the world who, through activism and civic and political engagement, have influenced and inspired development wherever they are to be found,” the Minister said.

“When we add to that the accomplishments of our people at home and abroad, we have every reason to celebrate our Jamaican-ness,” she noted.

The Minister said she is also “taking this opportunity to invite your embrace and active participation in our Diamond Jubilee, the Jamaica 60 celebrations, next year. We will announce the full programme very soon”.

For her part, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, congratulated the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey, Greater Passaic Chapter and the Paterson City Council for the timely honour.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Jamaica I thank the Paterson City Council for this recognition and applaud the Paterson Chapter of the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey for lobbying the City Council in conferring this signal honour of renaming one of the city’s local streets, ‘Jamaica Way’,” she said.

“The achievement of such an important gesture by the people of the City of Paterson is a prime indicator of the high esteem in which Jamaicans are held in your community. There is no doubt that we are a people of strength, capability and influence.  This is a testament of your perseverance and good standing in the Paterson community. You should be justly proud,” Ambassador Marks added.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Alsion Roach-Wilson, commended the Jamaica Association for lobbying the City Council, thus enabling the renaming of the street.

“This is a fitting tribute to all Jamaicans residing in this city and today is a proud moment,” she said.

In the meantime, President of the Paterson Chapter of the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey, Owen Eccles, commended the Jamaican residents and the Paterson City Council for this recognition, noting that the naming of the street in honour of Jamaica should be viewed with a sense of pride by Jamaicans in New Jersey and the world over.

By Derek Scott, JIS News

Release: JIS News      

Photo Captions

Header: Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Alsion Roach-Wilson (second left) and  President of the Paterson Chapter of the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey, Owen Eccles (centre), celebrate the  renaming  of a portion of Vreeland Avenue, Paterson, New Jersey, as ‘Jamaica Way’, on Saturday, September 4. Sharing the occasion (from left) are President of Jamaica Organization of New Jersey State Board, Jazz Clayton-Hunt;  Jamaica Diaspora North East USA Representative, Dr. Karren Dunkley,  and Vice President of the Paterson Chapter of the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey, Errol Kerr.

1st insert: Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey,  Andre Sayegh, unveils the ‘Jamaica Way’ sign in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, on September 4.

2nd insert: President of the Paterson Chapter of the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey, Owen Eccles, holds aloft a copy of the Resolution declaring that a section of Vreeland Avenue, between 17th and 19th Avenues, in Paterson, New Jersey, is renamed ‘Jamaica Way’ on September 4.