Caribbean News – A Brooklyn Street Could Be Co-Named After Haiti Founding Father

News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Fri. April 27, 2018: A popular Brooklyn street could soon be co-named after one of Haiti’s founding fathers.

On April 18, Community Board 17, which represents the neighborhoods of East Flatbush, Northeast East Flatbush, Rugby, Farragut/Hyde Park, Remsen Village, Ditmas Village and Erasmus in Brooklyn, NY, voted to co-name Rogers Avenue, from Farragut to Eastern Parkway, the Jean Jacques Dessalines Blvd, the Haitian Times reports.

The neighborhoods include a significant Haitian population. The proposal, which was initiated last year by Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, ignited controversy in the majority Caribbean district, with some perceiving the designation as “divisive.”

For the next step, the community board typically sends a letter of support to their councilman, in this case Councilman Jumaane D. Williams, for him to present on their behalf to the City Council Speaker’s Office.

“Jean Jacques Dessalines often unsung will be remembered as the liberator of Haiti and the strength to the United States,” Bichotte said.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the 1805 constitution.