American Actor Anthony Mackie plants tree at Mount Obama National Park

An American actor left his mark in Antigua on Thursday as he planted a tree at the soon to be opened Mount Obama National Park.

Anthony Mackie and Prime Minister Spencer took part in the planting at the foot of Mount Obama. The pair flagged by members of the US Tourism Office described the initiative as symbolic.

Mackie's visit is part of the U.S. arm of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office's "International Year of People of African Descent (IYPAD)" campaign in recognition of the United Nations designated year.

An excited Mackie noted his pleasure in being able to provide worldwide exposure to Antigua. Moreover, US Tourism Director, Derede Samuel-Whitlock,explained the significance of the occasion highlighting the fact that Afro-Caribbeans and and Caribbean-Americans will be targeted in an outreach programme that aims to elevate the destination's cultural profile and give visitors a better understanding of the similarities in the subcultures that make up the fabric of all modern descendants of Africa.

Several African-American celebrities, accomplished Antiguans and Barbudans, Caribbean and indigenous Africans have been invited to the destination.

Mackie is the first of thosecelebrities; he has starred in several big budget Hollywood films including; 8 Mile, The Manchurian Candidate, Million Dollar Baby, Ascension Day, Eagle Eye, The Hurt Locker and Notorious. His most recent movie is The Adjustment Bureau.

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• Anthony Mackie
• Mount Obama
• Antigua
• Barbuda