And there were more school bags circulating today - this time in Caribbean Shores at the Noel Ferguson Park on Baymen Avenue where the area rep, Kareem Musa, held his back to school giveaway.
But those kids didn't get Jansport - they got Everest, which was donated by A&R. We asked him where he falls on the debate, and he explained that while the business was coming from a legal standpoint, it may not have been the best time to prove a point. He added, however, that police, politicians and community groups may need to take a closer look at the donations they are receiving.
Kareem Musa, Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"I guess, it is proof that no news, no publicity, rather is bad publicity. A lot of good has come out of this story that channel seven has done, yes. It was controversial in the beginning. But all the businesspeople came out afterwards. And of course, A&R has contributed as well. And so it's a good story in the end for the children, because that is what this is all about. I want to congratulate Gambis, Mister Gamboa for starting this story on channel seven. Of course, for doing it because it definitely inspired, the business community. Today we are giving out, Everest bags, thanks to A&R. So again, channel seven came in big for Caribbean shores because A&R is contributing today. But every single year we are grateful for the business community. We rely on them, as ministers, as politicians for them to give donations to us. Many times we don't ask the question, is this real or not? Because at the end of the day, what matters is the smiles on these children's faces to know that they have a school back to go to school."
Reporter:
"Do you think that the backlash was a bit unfair?"
Kareem Musa, Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"I think they were taking a legal position and they have all right to do that. But at the end of the day, we have to look at, what motivated Mr. Gamboa. He wasn't selling these bags. He's giving them away. And so it was an act of kindness. And so it might have not been the opportune time to raise a legal issue in terms of authenticity and agency for the box. But at the same time, I think the point has been made that we have to be careful, in terms of what we receive to ensure that it is authentic and legitimate."
Courtney Menzies:
"But, I think their fight is not with Mr. Gamboa, it's with the importers, the people who import these fake bags. Isn't it an intellectual property offense to import these fake merchandise?"
Kareem Musa, Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"Yes it is. And to be quite honest, I wasn't even aware. Like I said, what is fake and what is authentic? It's very hard to tell because the replicas look just like the authentic. And so when we get donations, that's not something we asked, but no, we might have to start asking that question because it is a legal issue. And definitely something that the Customs Department will have to look at, because at this level, when we receive donations and it enters the country, you have to assume it's authentically entered into the country."
