Diaspora excitement for Harris presidency ‘off the chart’

There has been a groundswell of support among Jamaicans in the diaspora for the Kamala Harris campaign for president of the United States, with community leaders saying they have not seen such enthusiasm for a candidate since the candidacy of former US President Barack Obama.

At the same time, a Facebook page, ‘Jamaicans for Harris 2024’, has been established for Jamaicans to join and receive information on the campaign and leave comments.

“Everybody is excited and ready to go to work. There has been a groundswell of support among Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals, with people calling friends and family members and getting them involved in the campaign,” said Dale Holness, former mayor of Broward County. “Based on reactions that I have seen, there is a momentum building with the Jamaican and Caribbean communities for the Harris for president campaign.”

Holness described the enthusiasm among Jamaicans as being “off the chart”.

He further said that there has also been a rush by Jamaicans in Florida to get registered so that they will be able to vote in the November election.

“Some who missed the previous deadline to register are now registering so that they will be able to vote,” he told The Gleaner.

Energy and excitement

Irwine Clare, community leader and head of Team Jamaica Bickle, said he has been contacted by groups of Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals asking how they can become involved in the campaign.

“There is a sense of energy and excitement and one can feel the renewed sense of purpose by those seeking to become involved with the campaign,” he said.

Clare said that while monetary contributions are important, knocking on doors, organising their communities and reaching out to others is equally as important.

“What I am seeing is a level of involvement that I have not seen for a candidate for some time,” he said.

Noting that now is not the time to be ambivalent, Clare said Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals have to make their presence felt.

Pointing out that there are large Jamaican communities in swing states such as Georgia and Florida, Clare said if Jamaicans continue to mobilise and go out and vote, it can make the difference in the margins of vote.

“I am playing my part, and we are getting the message out. This is one time that I really feel energised,” he said.

David Mullings, of Blue Mahoe, said that he was excited about the Harris campaign, that he is seeing this excitement among Jamaicans, and that this is not because she has Jamaican roots.

“I am excited because we get a candidate that has a track record, that understands our lived experiences, is a bridge between Caribbean Americans and African Americans plus truly relates to the threats women face under a Trump presidency,” he said.

Mullings said Jamaicans and Caribbean national voters can play a significant role in the US elections if properly engaged. To this end, he said he has volunteered to do outreach among the various communities on behalf of the Harris campaign.

Noting that 40 per cent of Caribbean immigrants live in Florida, Mullings said a high voter turnout can make a difference in the margins of the vote.

“I see and feel the excitement, and I am confident that this momentum will sustain to the elections in November,” he said.

Dr Karen Green, who is the Caribbean whip for Harris at the convention, said they have been getting calls from Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals wanting to be involved in the campaign.

“We have also received calls from Jamaicans who support the Republican Party who want to be a part of the Harris campaign,” she said.

“We are seeing the type of groundswell not seen since the Obama 2008 campaign.”

Green, who is also vice-chair of the Florida Democratic Party and is a past chair of the party’s diversity committee, said outreach has also been done among religious groups, with multifaith meetings being held on behalf of the campaign.

Jamaican attorney in Miami, Marlon Hill said Jamaicans are being engaged in the campaign.

Both Hill and Mullings dismissed the doubts of those who question whether a Harris presidency would benefit Jamaicans and Jamaica.

They both pointed out that no president could seem to show favouritism for any one country but that there are issues such as immigration, trade, and stopping guns going to Jamaica that a Harris administration would be more in tune with.

editorial@gleanerjm.com