Thursday, Aug. 6 marked the 64th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence, and members of London’s Jamaican community gathered to celebrate the occasion. “Having this celebration helps us to celebrate what our ancestors did,” said Omar Smith, president of Jamaicans in London Ontario Association. “It is also to show the resilience of the Jamaican people in terms of the sacrifice that we have made to be an independent nation.” The night featured cultural performances, traditional food, and clothing attire. “Yellow is for sunshine because we are tropical, we are in the island,” said Nadia McCormak, vice president of Jamaicans in London Ontario Association. “Black represents who we are, the strength of our people, and then green is for the luscious trees that we have here on the islands.” Organizers said this year’s Independence Day carries added significance, highlighting the strength and determination Jamaicans have shown following Hurricane Melissa. “There are as many Jamaicans who live overseas from Jamaica as who live in Jamaica,” said Kurt Davis, Consul-General of Jamaica in Toronto. “Those big Jamaican families are always coming through for us, particularly this year with that hurricane and including here in London.”
