Jamaican Embassy decries ‘flagrant misuse’ of name

The Jamaican Embassy in the Washington DC has put members of the diaspora on alert that an event being promoted for next Saturday at its offices is not connected to the island’s diplomatic mission in the United States (US).

“It has come to our attention that there are video clips circulating on social media promoting an event to celebrate Brand Jamaica, scheduled for Saturday, 15th June 2024, at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC,” the embassy said in a statement.

“We would like to make it clear that there is no event scheduled for that date at the embassy. In fact, the embassy is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and as is the norm will be closed on Saturday, June 15, 2024.”

One of the videos circulating on social media features dancehall artiste Mr Vegas appealing to patriotic Jamaicans to join him and others at the Jamaican Embassy to celebrate Brand Jamaica.

“Come stand with us on June 15th at 8 a.m. in Washington DC,” Vegas states in a caption attached to the video posted to his official Facebook page on June 4.

“Meet us at the Jamaican Embassy to celebrate our beautiful country, Jamaica. All patriotic Jamaican, link up! Do not allow no person or group to tarnish the country of our birth!”

In its statement, however, the embassy declared that the “flagrant misuse” of its name was aimed at deceiving and luring Jamaicans to attend an unsanctioned event and is therefore “disingenuous, misleading and most of all goes against the spirit of Brand Jamaica”.

According to the embassy, the actions were particularly disappointing as they were taking place during Caribbean Heritage Month.

“During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the achievements and dreams of the millions of people of Caribbean origin now living in the United States while honouring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched life across the Caribbean,” the embassy said.

The embassy noted that the name of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) was also being used to promote the event on June 15 at the embassy and that Dr Claire Nelson, founder and president, has advised that ICS is not in any form associated with any event on this date.

Nelson has released a schedule of official events that celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This official schedule is endorsed by the Embassy of Jamaica.

The embassy said it maintains a list of registered, active diaspora organisations that work to improve the lives of Jamaicans, both at home and abroad, and that none of those more than 400 organisations are associated with any event at the Embassy of Jamaica on June 15.

“Please note that any move to utilise the name and goodwill of the smbassy without authority is malicious, deceitful, and damaging to Brand Jamaica,” the embassy said.

The June 15 invitation from Mr Vegas is for a day before Jamaica Diaspora Day, which is also day one of the 10th Biennal Jamaica Diaspora Conference to be held in Montego Bay, St James.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Subsequent to the publication of this article, the Jamaican Embassy in Washington issued a statement indicating its support for Mr Vegas' celebration of Brand Jamaica. The Embassy, though it initially identified statements identical to those made by Mr Vegas in his video, has now stated clearly that it was only taking issue with what it described as protesters who have also indicated they are planning an event at the Embassy on June 15.)