U.S. Department
of Justice
Blog Post
Attorney General Holder’s Celebrates National Caribbean American Heritage Month at the U.S. Department of State
Attorney General Eric Holder commemorated National Caribbean American Heritage month at the U.S. Department of State. National Caribbean American Heritage month began in 2006 and serves to spread awareness about the contributions of Caribbean immigrants and serve as a platform for communication between the Caribbean people and American public.
In his remarks, he highlighted the efforts of the Department of Justice and State to secure borders, improve public safety, and combat gang and drug-fueled crime and violence in the Caribbean:
“We have proven our commitment to protecting the sacred rights and civil liberties of every member of our society. And we are making good on our nation’s founding promise of equal justice under law. Alongside state, local, tribal, and international partners, we’ve fought to safeguard our national security, to reduce crime, to end discrimination, to eliminate fraud, to protect our children and our law enforcement officers from violence, and to combat threats facing those most in need of our help.”
Attorney General Holder and Secretary of State Clinton have traveled to the Caribbean on numerous occasions to meet with officials to promote long-term economic success and safety for the public. Last year, Attorney General Holder held talks with officials from Trinidad, Barbados and Santo Domingo and attended the Organization of American States Conference to discuss measures to prevent and reduce crimes such as counterterrorism.
Attorney General Holder praised Dominican officials’ efforts to recover local assets worth $37 million from three Cuban brothers who committed Medicare fraud. Additionally, efforts between the Jamaican government and U.S. authorities led to the extradition of one of the largest drug lords and gang leaders in Jamaica, Christopher “Dudus” Coke. This past month, he was sentenced to 23 years in jail for his crimes.
Attorney General Holder emphasized:
“As a result, there’s no question that we’re making important progress. Each one of us can be proud of what’s been accomplished in recent years. And we all should be encouraged by the ongoing efforts – to empower women, to promote social growth and change, and to strengthen economic diversity – that the Departments of State and Justice are leading.”
National Caribbean American Heritage Month is celebrated every June.Updated April 7, 2017
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