By Helen Klein
The second phase of Bob Marley Boulevard to be co-named with Church Avenue will be held February 6 on the birthday of the late Hon. Robert Nesta Marley. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Church and Nostrand avenues. Former City Councilmember Yvette D. Clarke, Councilman Mathieu Eugene and the co-authors to the co-naming of Church Avenue as “Bob Marley Boulevard,” Michael Russell, former chairperson of Community Board 17 and president of the West Indian American Progressive Action Council (WIAPAC) and Leithland Rickie Tulloch, former treasurer and chairperson of the Land Use Committee of Community Board 17 and vice president of WIAPAC will be hosting the event. “As a former councilmember of the 40th Councilmanic District and a proud Caribbean-American it is an honor and a privilege to have been part of the process to approve this historic co-naming of Church Avenue as Bob Marley Boulevard. Bob Marley’s vision of world peace through his music and deeds has transcend all boundaries and his undying commitment for the redemption of all oppressed people still echoes in the hearts of many throughout the world,” said Congresswoman Clarke of the 11th Congressional District. Councilman Eugene said, “Bob Marley has made a significant impact throughout the world with his music and his philosophy of love and unity for all people. He is deserving of this public acknowledgment and I am very honored to be part of this historical recognition.” “I am happy that the former City Council representative Hon. Yvette D. Clarke approved the Co-naming for the 40th Councilmanic District before she left office to serve as Congresswoman for the 11th CD and her successor the Hon. Mathieu Eugene has endorsed it,” Russell said. Leithland Rickie Tulloch said that, “Bob Marley has been a visionary to many throughout the world and the co-naming of Church Avenue in the Flatbush and East Flatbush neighborhoods — the cultural hub of the Caribbean is the most appropriate place for his recognition. This would add tremendously to energize and revitalize the commercial sector and attract tourism to the community.” Councilmember Charles Barron of the 42nd Councilmanic District was the first councilmember in Community District 17 to champion the cause to co-name Church Avenue as Bob Marley Boulevard and, on May 10, 2006, it was unanimously approved by the full New York City Council. On July 1, 2006, thousands of community residents witnessed the historic unveiling of Bob Marley Boulevard at the corner of Church and Remsen avenues.
