34 years ago today approximately 25,000 Afrikans took to the streets of London in a show of strength and solidarity and to protest against state sanctioned/perpetrated injustices against the community – most recently manifested in the event termed the “New Cross Massacre” where 13 young Afrikans perished in a suspected racist fire bomb attack on January 18th 1981.Unfortunately, the momentum of that day and era did not develop into a mass movement advocating on behalf of our people. Indeed it was on the occasion of commemorating the 30th anniversary of the New Cross Massacre in January 2011 that a vision was articulated by Prof. Gus John and Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka to right this historical wrong. As a result, not only was the Black People’s Day of Action (NBPDA) commemorated, the process led to the establishment of what is now the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament (iNAPP). Consequently, every year since 2011, with the motto: “commemorate, evaluate, organise to liberate” and amid calls to make it a public holiday, March 2nd has been observed with a procession to 439 New Cross Road SE14 (scene of the massacre) followed by a convention.
Little over three weeks ago iNAPP suffered a setback when four of its leadership team resigned and the observance of the NBPDA was thrown into doubt. However, the Council Of Elders stepped in to take up the reigns, laying to rest any ensuing confusion and misinformation to ensure the event went ahead. Hence the NBPDA is very much on although without the procession.
This year’s convention take place at the Karibu Centre, 7 Gresham Rd, Brixton SW9 7PH; 1:00pm-8:00pm. Under the theme, ‘Our Eyes on the Future – Mobilising Black youth for Nation Building,’ The event – which will also honour Malcolm X (50th anniversary of his assassination) and the centenary of the birth of Claudia Jones – will feature some of our finest, most conscious and talented youth, including: Raspect Fyabinghi, Empress Imani, ShakaRa Asanti & SoulJah MC, to name a few.
There will also be presentations from leading Afrikan (Black) institution builders outlining how their current programme can feed into a coherent national agenda. Those invited are Bro Damba Nambago (Afrikan Cooperative Union), Sis Matilda Macattram (Black Mental Health-UK), Dr Kehinde Andrews (Organisation of Black Unity), Student Min Hillary Muhammad (Nation of Islam); with a keynote address form iNAPP’s youth (yNAPP) and updates on iNAPP’s forward plan.
The theme is consistent with the powerful youth energy witnessed at the Omowale Malcolm X Storm event on 27/02/15. The intersection of Jah’s A.R.M.Y., Black Fist Black Power, World Changers, So Solid Soldiers, Power Youth and the Organisation of Black Unity, among others within a context of Konscious Edutainment, inspired many to proclaim the embryonic stages of an irresistible new movement.
So we ask the question:
National Black People’s Day of Action – Did You Name It and Claim It?
- If you attended the NBPDA can you share your impressions of the day?
- What was the highlight for you?
- Do you think it is important for Afrikans to claim space and time and call for national holidays?
- Is a national agenda for Afrikans necessary?
- Will you be signing up to iNAPP?
- Did you attend OMX Storm on 27/02/15? If so what did you make of it?
Our special guest is:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK. A veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An Africentric Guide To Excellence