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NEW YORK, (JIS):

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

The Jamaican Organization of New Jersey (JON-J), has announced plans for the celebration of Jamaica’s 43rd anniversary of independence from July 27 to August 7, 2005.

These include a flag-raising ceremony and civic reception on the steps of the East Orange City Hall building on Wednesday, July 27, at 7:00 p.m. A concert recital with noted soprano Dawn Marie Virtue, will take place at the Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect Street, Maplewood.

The final event is a special Independence Prayer and Thanksgiving Service at the Clinton Avenue Presbyterian Church, 761 Clinton Avenue, Newark, on Sunday, August 7, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Guest preacher will be the Reverend Dr. Samuel Simpson of the Wake Eden Community Baptist Church, Bronx, New York.

“We have planned a service to express solidarity with Jamaicans and citizens of Jamaica in the building of the Diaspora. We must always remember our sovereignty and not forget the rock from whence we came,” Reverend Alfred Johnson, host pastor at the Clinton Avenue Presbyterian Church told JIS News.

Linval James, President of JON-J said the events were carefully planned to showcase the history and culture of Jamaica to an audience that would include the Mayor of the City of East Orange, Robert Bowser.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley and Consul General, Dr. Basil K. Bryan are also expected to attend.