This show marks the conclusion of our Afrika Liberation Day season series. So having started in continental Europe (Spain) with Dr Abuy Nfubea (https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/how-can-we-make-the-pan-afrikan-fight-truly-pan-afrikan-afrika-speaks-80517/) and continued on the Motherland (Azania) with Professor Kwaa Prah, we complete the triangle in the Caribbean (Jamaica) where we finally catch up with esteemed Rastafari Elder Ras Miguel Lorne for his reflections of the Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness’ April 4th apology for the “grave injustice” meted out by the government to the Rastafari community on and around “Bad Friday” in April 1963.
As a consequence, In addition to the apology, the Jamaica Labour Party administration has resolved to:
· Through the office of the Public Defender, work with the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society to locate survivors of the massacre.
· Assist the Coral Gardens Benevolent Society in accessing resources for its members
· Set up a trust fund of no less than J$10M for the benefit of survivors of the Coral Gardens Incident.
· Declare six lots at the property at Pinnacle in St Catherine as a protected heritage site to be developed as a Rastafari Heritage and Cultural Centre. (1)
The announcement evoked intense debate locally and globally, regarded variously as “a good start” and “insufficient.” (2)
We go behind the headlines with Ras Miguel, from the long standing Coral Gardens campaign, the genesis of the apology through the development of the public defender’s report to an impassioned assertion of Rastafari advocacy – past, present and future.
We follows Ras Miguel’s with reflections from Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka, Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament who will also assess the Coral Gardens campaign and the Jamaican Government apology within the context of the global liberation fight.
(1) Andrew Holness (04/04/17) Statement – PM Holness Apologises for 1963 Coral Gardens Incident.http://jis.gov.jm/statement-pm-holness-apologises-1963-coral-gardens-incident/
(2) Vinette K. Pryce (11/04/17) JA govt. offers apology, reparations to Rastafarians. http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2017/4/2017-04-14-vkp-inside-life-cl.html
So we ask the question:
Jamaican Government apology – Justice for Rastafari? Part 3
1. Was the apology sufficient or did it fall short?
2. What are the wider implications of the apology for the reparations movement?
3. Are six lots offered at Pinnacle sufficient?
4. Given his role, should Bustmante now be removed as a Jamaican National Hero?
5. Should there be a public enquiry about the treatment of Rastafari in Jamaica?
6. What are the lessons going forward from Coral Gardens to the Rastafari movement as a whole?
Our very special guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.
Ras Miguel Lorne: is an internationally renowned Rastafari Elder, activist, reparations campaigner, broadcaster, publisher and attorney at law based in Jamaica. Ras Miguel is currently legal advisor to the Coral Gardens Benevolent Society. He was previously both President and General Secretary of the Marcus Garvey Peoples Political Party and a broadcaster on Irie F.M. He presents the Bitter Sugar radio show every Wednesday 6pm-10pm on BESS FM. Ras Miguel is also the founder and owner of the Headstart book store and Headstart Printing and Publishing Companies that have published more than 100 titles. In 2005 he brought claim for reparations against the Queen of England and the British Government.
As far as for question 4- Given his role, should Bustamante now be removed as a Jamaican National Hero?
In my mind and soul, any man who had no respect for another human been, with the word he used as a leader to create an unjust genocide/ and the first against our own brother and sister after slavery is a disgrace to humanity, is not a hero and should be reviled as a discredited proclaim hero. To be written in history, to not forget and learn from it, as an example to the rest of the world to follow and withdraw people like this. That is a disgrace to humanity and our Creator, or we can allow this lie to continue and learn nothing from it as an unjust lie to humanity history. Voted on by the people?