Brooklyn, NY – The late Adriana Younge, the 11-year-old girl whose tragic death in Guyana drew national and international attention, was posthumously honored on Sunday during the annual Guyana Independence Parade in Brooklyn, New York.
Her parents received a special award from the United States Congress, presented on stage by New York City Council Member Chris Banks (42nd District). The tribute came as part of a ceremony organized by the Guyana Independence Committee NYC, which officially dedicated this year’s parade to Adriana’s memory.
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Adriana’s life was cut short under mysterious circumstances on April 24, when her body was found in the swimming pool of the Double Day International Hotel and Bar in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, nearly 20 hours after she was reported missing during a family outing.
The young girl’s parents, aunt, and two siblings joined Councilman Banks on stage to accept the congressional honor on her behalf. The emotional moment was part of a broader call for justice, as the family continues to seek answers about the circumstances of her death. Last week, they traveled to the United States for a second autopsy, conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, before attending the Independence celebrations in New York.
The parade began at noon on June 1, at the intersection of Church and Brooklyn Avenues, and made its way through Church Avenue and Utica Avenue, culminating at the Unity Concert held at 1450 Utica Avenue (between Glenwood Road and Farragut Road). Thousands of Guyanese nationals and supporters participated, many of them holding placards with Adriana’s photo and chanting, “Justice for Adriana!”
The Unity Concert featured powerful tributes to Adriana, including a poem by Guyanese activist Melissa Atwell, a dramatic performance, and several original songs written in her honor. Prominent U.S. officials attended the event, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, and other state and local leaders, alongside community advocates.
The New York Guyana Independence Celebration remains the largest gathering of the Guyanese diaspora outside of Guyana and ranks as one of New York City’s most significant West Indian cultural events—second only to the annual Labor Day Parade. This year’s celebration drew thousands in person and reached over a million viewers globally via live stream and social media platforms.
The Guyana Independence Committee NYC, in a statement issued five days prior to the parade, reaffirmed its support for Adriana’s family and called for transparency and justice in the ongoing investigation into her untimely death.
