Today, Representative Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement about the Government of Jamaica declaring a state of emergency in some parts of Kingston:

“I am deeply troubled by the civil unrest that is developing in portions of Kingston, Jamaica, as well as, the circumstances that have preceded it. It is my hope that the government of Jamaica will do everything in its power to protect its citizens and ensure that order is restored as soon as possible. The 11th Congressional District of New York is home to thousands of Jamaican immigrants and Americans of Jamaican decent. On behalf of my constituents, my office has been monitoring the circumstances surrounding this situation very closely and will remain in close contact with the State Department and Caribbean Basin Security Initiative partners to see if there is anything that the U.S. can do within reason, to assist the Jamaican government to restore peace and stability to the region.”

According to the State Department, “U.S citizens should consider the risks associated with travel to and within the greater Kingston metropolitan area.”

For the full alert concerning travel to Jamaica visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_jamaica.html

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