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C-PAC News

2023 NEWS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
CARIBBEAN AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (C‐PAC) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday, December 2, 2023 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
In accordance with our bylaws, only members who are current with their dues (paid for 2023) may participate.
Dues may be paid at the meeting if you have not already done so.
Click Here to Register

2023 Annual Founding Patron's Luncheon
Held on Sunday, October 14, 2023 12-3PM
Hotel Silver Spring
8727 Colesville Rd
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Access archives of the event here.

Caribbean-American Inter-Faith Service
Held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern
Sermon: We Must Sing Our Song in This Strange Land:
The Example of Marcus Garvey

People's Congregational UCC
4707 13th Street, NW
Washington DC 20011

Access archives of the event here.

2022 NEWS

C-PAC 2022 Political Candidate's Survey Results

A recent survey by the Caribbean Political Action Committee (C-PAC) revealed some of the concerns of our community as local elections in the DC Metropolitan area approaches. In the survey, 80 percent of respondents identified violence and policing as their number one concern.

See candidate's survey results.

As of May 9, violent crime in DC increased by 23 percent increase, and overall crime by 8 percent, when compared to the same period last year. According to the website safewise.com, robbery was the most reported violent crime in Maryland, at 30% of all violent crime reported in the state. Across the US, robberies make up 19% of all violent crimes reported. According to a 2021 nationwide Gallup poll, 51 percent of those surveyed believed crime in their own local area had increased, a jump from 38 percent who said that in 2020.

Immigration was the second concern of 70 percent of respondents. A Gallup poll released in March revealed that nearly six in ten Americans are dissatisfied with the level of immigration into the U.S. today, while 34 percent are satisfied. This marks an eight-percentage-point increase in dissatisfaction since last year, and a return to the 2019-2020 range.

Healthcare and inflation were the next top concerns of 60 percent of respondents. Healthcare concerns continue amid the coronavirus pandemic, and inflation is now a major concern. The annual inflation rate in the US accelerated to 8.5 percent in March of 2022, the highest since December of 1981.

Government and contracting rounded out the top five with 50 percent of respondents.

 


 

C-PAC Sends Letter to Senate to Pass Two Historic Voter Rights Bills

Justice for Marcus Garvey
C-PAC is proud to lead the call for a posthumour pardon for the Honorable Marcus Garvey, early 20th century civil rights leader.

Read more and become involved here. Sign the White House petition beginning on February 1, 2022.

 


 

2021 NEWS

C-PAC Informer, Fall 2021 | See past issues

Read our new feature, News: Activism, where we have archived C-PAC's work supporting the descendants of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who now seek a posthumous presidential pardon on Garvey's behalf

 


 

2020 NEWS

C-PAC Informer: Winter 2020 Edition

COVID-19 Information

Dear C-PAC Members, Supporters and Friends; During this season of festivities, we encourage you to remain vigilant about your safety. COVID-19 cost lives, cripple economies and put people out of work. One reason why this virus spreads so easily is because people can be infectious without any symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 40% of infections are asymptomatic, and 50% of transmissions happen before symptoms begin. Celebrating with loved ones virtually online this holiday is an inconvenience. However, this small sacrifice can give us all a better shot of being around the table together in 2021.

C-PAC encourages you to get tested and stay safe. Here are the locations within the DMV area for COVID testing:

Voting Information

Vote by Mail Reminders

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many voters are opting to vote by mail.  Please remember to:

  1. read the directions closely;
  2. ensure that your signature matches the one on your driver’s license;
  3. sign and date in every appropriate space, as directed;
  4. return your ballot by the deadline; and
  5. follow any and all other directions and requirements.

Voters may track the status of their mail-in ballot online in MarylandWashington, D.C., and Virginia.

Check back often as we gather information for you. You can also access the following resources:

  • DC Board of Elections: Information on where to register to vote, how to check if your registration is current, where to vote in person, how to vote absentee. Also learn about current elected officials and community outreach opportunities.
  • Maryland Board of Elections: Answers common questions about registering and voting, online access to absentee ballots, and candidate lists.
  • Virginia Board of Elections: Provides online access to registration, frequently asked questions about the process, election law information, and election results from 2005 to present.

High School Student Paid Opportunity to Serve as Election Workers
Washington, D.C. high school students, who are over the age of 16, have the opportunity to be trained and compensated or receive service hours for working as an Election Worker.  The application is available here.

Another Attack on the 2020 Census
On July 21, 2020, the administration again relaunched its intention to prevent all U.S. residents from being counted in the 2020 Census.  In addition, the Census Bureau is attempting to end the 2020 counting efforts early, despite the challenges of the pandemic.  A number of entities immediately launched legal challenges to both of these efforts.   Both these actions underscore the importance of every person completing the 2020 Decennial Census as soon as possible in order to ensure a fair and accurate count.

Virginia Expanding Voting Access
The Virginia State Legislature is advancing efforts to expand absentee voting by authorizing pre-paid postage for mail-in ballots and expanding ballot drop boxes across the state.   After the State Senate and House of Delegates resolve the differences between each chamber’s bill, the governor is expected to review the proposal for signature into law. 

C-PAC Informer: July 2020 Edition
Includes a greetings from the Chair, Election 2020 information, in memoriam reflections, a call to be part of leadership, and Caribbean-American month highlights.

Black Lives Matter
Read C-PAC's call for engagement.
Read more.

COVID-19 and Voting
Find out the latest about voting in the DMV area.
Read more.

COVID-19 Statement
Information for those worried about immigration status and basic public health strategies.
Read more.

COVID-19 Resources
Here are some resources from Federal and local authorities that may be of interest to you. Remember to follow the directions of your local health and public authorities and stay safe.
Read more.

Denys Vaughn Cook
Denys Vaughn Cook passed away March 11, 2020. Denys was a pillar of the DMV community, and the national Caribbean Diaspora community. He was a dedicated member of C-PAC.
Read more.  

C-PAC Election Portal
Keep informed about the 2020 elections here.
Read more.

C-PAC Celebrates Black History Month
Unlike most new immigrant groups, Americans of Caribbean heritage have been in this country since the enslavement of black people. Read about James Weldon Johnson below.
Read more.

Du Sable is regarded as the Father of Chicago and the first non-indigenous person to settle there.
Read more.

Thomas Prince Hall worked tirelessly as an abolitionist as a leader in the free black community.
Read more.

Lois Dickson Rice - Mother of the Pell Grant.
Read more.

 


 

2019 NEWS

C-PAC Informer
Volume 5, Number 1: Winter 2019
Read more.

C-PAC Board of Directors Elections
We invite eligible members to consider running for and casting their vote to select the Board of Directors.
Read More

C-PAC 13th Anniversary Luncheon
View phots from our luncheon that was held on Saturday, October 12, 2019.
View photos.

2020 Census: What I Need to Know
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Read more.

C-PAC Chat
October edition discusses education, immigration, business development, and Caribbean culture
Read more.

Bahamas Hurrican Restoration Fund
We have attached here information for the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Bahamas Hurricane Restoration Fund for those of you who may wish to make a financial contribution. In addition, the Bahamian Embassy has provided a list of items needed.
Read more.

C-PAC Chair Graduates from FEMA's National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA)
Dr. Goulda Downer completed the full curriculum and graduated from FEMA's NEMAA, a program that reinforces the qualities needed to manage emergency management programs.
Read more.

Be Aware News Blast
Immigration Raids: #KnowYourRights | Legislative Watch: DC Office on Caribbean Affairs | 2020 Census Updates | Washington DC Statehood Hearing
Read more.

Memo on ICE Raids: July 2019
From David Grosso, At-Large Councilmember; Chairperson, Committee on Education, Council of the District of Columbia
Read more.

Statement from Mayor Bowser on President Trump’s Threat to Arrest and Remove Immigrant Residents
June 21, 2019
Read more.

C-PAC Chat
June edition summarizes feedback from the community
Read more.

C-PAC Informer Spring/Summer Newsletter 2019
Read more.

DC Office on Caribbean Affairs
Councilmember Todd Introduces Legislation Establishing DC Office on Caribbean Affairs
Read more.

C-PAC Chat
February Series on African-American History
Read more.

 


 

2018 NEWS

C-PAC 13th Anniversary Luncheon
The Executive Board of the Caribbean Political Action Committee (C-PAC) celebrated our Founding Patrons’ Luncheon in commemoration of our 13th year. See photos from the event.

C-PAC Encourages our Community to Become a Commissioner and Serve
The Mayor's Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs helps the Mayor strengthen and foster relationships with DCsidents from the Caribbean Diaspora. 
Read more.

C-PAC Informer
Volume 5, Number 1: Spring-Summer 2018
Read more.

Save the Date: 2018 Annual Founding Patrons Luncheon
Saturday, October 13, 2018
12:00 Noon - 3:00 PM
Read more.

Caribbean-American Heritage Month
June 2018
Read the DC Mayoral Proclamation

C-PAC Announces Candidate Endorsements for 2018 Regional Primaries
Read more.

C-PAC Chat:

 


 

2017 NEWS

The C-PAC Informer: Spring-Fall 2017/2018
Newsletter
The CPAC Informer Volume 4, Issue 1 is here! Please download the digital copy

The C-PAC Informer: Summer 2017
Newsletter
Please download the digital copy

C-PAC Chat
Volume 4, June 2017
Read more.

Immigration Update
See our new section for information about what to do if you are detained by ICE.
Read more.

C-PAC Chat
Volume 3, April 2017
Read more.

C-PAC Chat
Volume 2, March 2017
Read more.

The C-PAC Informer: December 2016
Newsletter
Please download the digital copy

Citizen Activism 
Our annual training course will teach you how Maryland governance works and how you can influence the legislative process.
Read more.

 


 

See 2016 and 2015 News in our Archives page...

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