the uk needs a pan afrikan reparations and repatriation...
TRANSCRIPT
On 15 November GACuk called the first
meeting in the uk to begin the process of
establishing a REPARATION &
REPATRIATION COMMISSION. The
meeting was kindly hosted by the MAA
MAAT Cultural Centre 366a High Road,
Tottenham, aka Pepukyi's Book Shop.
GACuk's founding purpose is to obtain
Reparatory justice for the crimes of
humancide, genocide, holocausts and
ethnic cleansing against Afrikans during
the period of trans Atlantic enslavement,
colonialism and apartheid. Reparations is
holistic and as such the claim extend
beyond so called abolition/emancipation
to include the current institutionally racist
crime against Afrikans. Internationally,
therefore we hold these as breaches
of international human rights legislation.
Enslavement in itself was never legal. It
was illegal 1000 years ago when our
Ancestors, were
captured and
transported on
camel and ships
into chattel
enslavement.
Reparations is
now firmly on the
international
agenda. In July
2013 CARICOM
agreed to
establish National Committees on
Reparations. On 16 July, this year,
Professor Beckles, Chairman of the
CARICOM Commission on Reparations,
addressed the House of Commons opening
the case for negotiations with the UK,
which is ongoing. On 1 August the Eman-
cipation, Reparations & Repatriation
March saw the largest number of Afrikans
take to the streets of London, perhaps
since the momentous New Cross Gate
Massacre on 2 March 1981 [the "Black
People's Day of Action" involved 20,000
people marching from Fordham Park to
Hyde Park in protest at the deaths of 13
young people of Afrikan heritage
murdered by a firebomb].
The uk needs a Pan Afrikan Reparations and Repatriation
Commission
Organisations are invited on Saturday 10
January 2015 from 5pm to the Nation Of
Islam in Brixton. In order to facilitate the
establishment of an Executive Committee
for the Commission. The 1st & 2nd
discussions were open to all Afrikans who
agree to work towards the following five
Objectives
1. A COMMON AGENDA i.e. the setting up
of the Commission in the uk
2. A WILLINGNESS to work with fellow
Afrikans towards the 1 objective:
REPARATIONS
3. A WILLINGNESS to respect other
Afrikans right to be heard
4. To provide representatives to help with
dispute resolution
5. To work within the dispute
resolution structure.
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The meeting was attended by around 40
people and discussion included other
reparations demands e.g. Garvey’s
Universal Declaration along with the
CARICOM 10 point plan. It was also
agreed that the work of the R&R
Commission uk must include supporting
the Rasta demand for internal repairs i.e.
the
historic
and
current
wrongs
been done
by
CARICOM
Nations to
I n I
Brethren
and
Sisteren.
The
meeting
concluded with an vote in favour of
establishing the R&R Commission. We
agreed to convene a second meeting.
Our 2nd smaller R&R Commission
meeting was generously hosted by the
Nation of Islam and chaired by The Hon
Minister Hilary Muhammad on 13
December, in Brixton. The agenda
focussed on seeking consensus of
agreement on the principles and practice
of the Dispute Resolution Structure and
the formation of an Executive Committee
to move forward the work of the R&RC uk.
There was much discussion of the need to
seek to exploit our commonalties rather
than our differences. It was recognised
that R&R is a common goal for all Afrikans
regardless of denomination or political
stance and that we should all seek to
pursue the greater good and we agreed to
further the development of the dispute
resolution structure. The important roles
of Rasta and the NOI in this struggle were
also acknowledged. The key actions from
this meeting were to ask all organisations/
groups whose aim it is to seek R&R to
share the section of their governing
document relating to R&R so as to enable
a mapping of our shared aims We are
seeking to build a coalition of all Afrikan
organi-
sations
seeking
alliance
with
“Truth
&
Justice”
seekers
to
advo-
cate for
R&R at
all
strata of
society. The work of the Commission will
include lobbying nationally, identifying
Afrikans with a range of skills to
contribute to research and campaigning
and direct action. In the words of Dr
Julius Garvey (Son of the Rt H Marcus M
Garvey) “Reparatory justice means building
a just society”. GAC is an umbrella Pan
Afrikan Organisation formed as a result of
the achievements of Afrikans and Afrikan
descendants who forced nations within the
UN to declare our enslavement and
colonialism as crimes against humanity.
#ReparationsNOW!!!
Help US Fight 4 It!!!
For further information on how to get involved contact:
3
Report back from The 2nd Regional Conference on Reparations
After his speech in the House of
Commons on 16 July, GACuk members,
including the Secretary, Membership
Secretary and Treasurer, met with Hillary
Beckles to discuss keeping an open
dialog with
Afrikans in the
uk to ensure
WE are kept
informed.
Although
GACuk worked
with Hillary
both in St. Vincent and again in South
Afrika [Azania] at the 8 PAC, this was the
first time we had the opportunity to have
an open discussion and to assert some of
our demands in the uk - Afrikans already
on the Battlefield for Reparations. We
stressed the vital role of acting in
solidarity
with those
“in the
"belly of the
beast." We
were subse-
quently
notified
about the
2nd CARICOM Reparations conference, in
Antigua. We informed the Afrikan com-
munity in the uk, and were able to send
delegates from uk and Canada. Amongst
other things, CARICOM RC coordinates
and support the work of National
Reparations Commissions and Caribbean
Task Forces, it also encourages the
development of Commissions in countries
without. This year the movement took a
number of important steps forward at
both governmental and grassroots levels.
Governments agreed that commissions
should be ‘non partisan’ and where there
are more than two political parties, all
would be a part. Within civil society
Reparation education must be on all
nations’ school curricula.
Noticeably most of the nation’s citizens,
including those in Antigua, knew little of
this conference in spite of TV broadcasts.
The crucial contribution of the
Rastafarian community was also evident
with comrades not only from CARICOM
but occupied French speaking territories.
The first day opened with high level of
activities and speeches from a number of
dignitaries including Antigua and
Barbuda’s Prime Minster, Dr Julius
Garvey (son of Marcus Garvey) and
former Jamaican PM, PJ Paterson.
However, the later will be remembered as
someone who failed to mobilise when he
had the power
to do so!
GACuk dele-
gates continued
our open
opposition to
European
lawyers playing
a leading role at
this stage of OUR struggle. GACuk
submitted a number
of demands and
presented a Video of
the 1st August ER&R
March in London that
was acknowledged as
one of the most
important events between the two
conferences. We affirmed out
commitment to push the Reparations
agenda forward.
CARICOM Officials at the Opening Ceremony, Antigua 2014
Juliu
s G
arv
ey &
GA
Cuk d
ele
gate
Prof Beckles & GACuk Reps
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The Caribbean Pan African
Network CPAN) in collaboration
with the Citizens and Diaspora
Directorate of the African Union
(AU-CIDO) hosted its Tenth
Anniversary Conference at the
Jolly Beach Hotel in Bolans,
Antigua, from 15 – 16 October
2014. The major objectives of
the meeting were as follows:
The revitalizing and strengthening of the
Caribbean Pan African Network
Identification of a strategy to develop a
more formally structured institutional
relationship with the African Union
Determination of the role of CPAN in the
struggle for Reparations in the
Caribbean
The Conference was attended by 35
delegates representing 24 organisations, 2
from AU-CIDO and one from CARICOM.
Participants represented organisations
from 13 Caribbean countries from
organizations based in the United States,
England, France and Canada . In her
opening remarks, Dr. Hilary Brown, of
CARICOM made the following points:
CARICOM recognises the important role of
CPAN in the struggle for reparations and
the education of people in the region
about Pan Africanism in order to create a
new generation of Pan Africanists, and
that the struggle for Reparations must be
done within the context of Pan Africanism.
The Conference was held the day after the
CARICOM Conference on Reparations
participants' of both Conferences were
able to add views and perspectives of the
Reparations Conference to the meeting,
the meeting focussed on the following:
The Role of CPAN in the Struggle for
Reparations - it was agreed that CPAN
already plays a leading role in the
Caribbean Reparations Movement. The
meeting went on to make 12
recommendations for action including:
Establishing a fund specifically to meet
costs related to the struggle for
reparations; Identifying names of families
and companies that have benefitted from
enslavement; Food sovereignty in the
region and Establishing linkages between
civil society organizations in the
Caribbean and those in Africa. It was also
agreed to issue the following statements:
Calling on the government of France to
immediately abolish the Code Noir and the
government of Dominica to abolish the
Dread Act; Full solidarity with the people
of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French
Guiana in their struggle for independence;
An investigation into Surinamese
legislation which allow former plantation
owners to return to Suriname and reclaim
land.
8th Pan African Congress - it was agreed
that there should be an 8th Pan African
Congress* that is inclusive and
representative of all African regions and
the Diaspora, with a clearly articulated
agenda. It was proposed that Reparations
and the Health Crisis in Africa must be
addressed.
* There was an 8th PAC in Jan 2013 in
Azania to which GACuk sent delegates
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African Union / ECOSOCC and the
Caribbean Diaspora - Dr. Adisa (CIDO)
spoke of the challenges and difficulties of
implementing the AU Diaspora
Programme, which included structural,
organisational and fiscal barriers. He
explained that the major AU budget
contributors were Nigeria, Algeria, South
Africa, Egypt and Libya, but with the
destruction of the latter there are no
longer any funds forthcoming which has
had a major impact; no funds have been
committed to the African Union Diaspora
Programme. He asserted ECOSOCC’s
concerns about the level of prosperity on
the continent and the place of Africa in
global development. He said that the AU
must focus on the development of African
countries whilst working closely with civil
society in the Diaspora to build the global
African family. Dr. Adisa also commented
on the impact of the Ebola public health
crisis on the continent and beyond.
Amongst the 8 recommendations for
Action from that plenary were that: CPAN
should include in its Work Programme the
development of a framework for global
Diaspora representation in ECOSOCC;
should seek to participate in the annual
meeting of the African Commission for
Women and People’s Rights; should
initiate a fund raising campaign to
support ongoing efforts by Cuba to assist
with the Ebola crisis in Africa and should
make efforts to investigate the biological
warfare element of Ebola
Declaration of the Global African
Diaspora Summit - the following 5
recommendations were made: (1) efforts
should be made to ensure the involvement
of non independent states in the
Caribbean region in the AU- Diaspora
process (2) An invitation to Dr Adisa to
attend the Ancestral Memorial event in
Guadeloupe (3)Make a formal request to
the AU re requirements for full integration
of Africans in the Diaspora into countries
on the continent (noted that Ghana &
Senegal tend to be amenable to
repatriation by Africans in the Diaspora)
(4) Draft statement expressing concern
and condemnation about the disrespectful
treatment of AU reps, by the pilot of
American Airlines, during their trip to
Antigua for the CPAN/AU-CIDO meeting
(5) Develop a comprehensive Work Plan
which includes actions related to the
outcomes of the African Union Diaspora
Summit.
The Decade for People of African
Descent - the following
recommendations were agreed. CPAN
should (1) work towards convening an
international forum on Reparations
facilitated by the United Nations (2)
should seek to break the barriers to direct
air travel between the Caribbean and
Africa to facilitate cultural exchange and
information sharing (3) should
identify opportunities for regional
commemoration/celebration of events and
occasions that are of significance to
Africans in the Caribbean and or globally.
There was discussion on the need to
clearly formulate an Action Plan/Policy on
how to ensure that reparations will be at
the core of all activities/ projects/
initiatives linked to the Decade for People
of African Descent. The conference
concluded that the Decade must be used
for civil society to push the case for
Reparations.
David Comissiong, CPAN; NswNeb KaRa
Herishetapaheru, Per Ankh M Smai Tawi & Dr.
Khafra Kambon, Emancipation Comt/CPAN
6
Introduction to GAC uk Officers
Abu Akil
Co Chair
07956 56 93 01
Glenroy watson Secretary
07956 13 34 50
Isis Amlak
Information Officer
Cudjoe Imhotep
Education Officer
07950 73 30 61
Jaiyeola Bagbansoro
Treasurer
Judy Richard
07847 62 54 55
Gee Bernard
Co Chair
07986 84 76 81
Minka Adofo
Membership Secretary
07508 37 43 77
Simon Hinds
Press Officer
07876 33 68 07 [email protected]
Olu Femiola
Campaign Coordinator
07786 70 54 28
Elder Martha Osamoar Elder Anthony Gill
TRUSTEES
Salma Thurayya and Alex Ellington
Gem Melbourne and Jason St John
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Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
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Non au Racism Non au Zemmour Protest!
4 November 2015
* KWANZAA ~ Friday 26 December - 1 January 2015
* Afr ican Liberat ion Day Monday ~ 25 May 2015
* Emancipation, Reparations & Repatriation March ~ 1 August 2105
Haitian Independence ~ 1 January 1804
Ghana Independence Day ~ 6 March 1957
Soweto Day ~ 16 June 1976
Patrice Lumumba (born ) ~ 2 Ju ly 1925
Marcus Mosiah Garvey (born) ~ 17 August 1887
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (born) ~ 9 September 1909
Batt le o f Vert ières ~ 18 November 1803
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OTHER IMPORTANT DATES: 23 Aug ~ RMT Annual Reparation Conference;
31 Oct ~ UFFC Annual March; 27 Dec ~ ABSS Kwanzaa Celebration
GAC uk Monthly Meeting Dates ** AUG AGM
On the evening of 4 November a small group gathered outside
the Polish Club on Exhibition Road SW7, to protest their
support of convicted racist Eric Zemmour’s uk book tour. This
book tour was funded and supported by the Union for a Popular Movement
(UMP), Sarkozy’s right wing and openly racist party. Zemmour’s propaganda,
like Sarkozy’s aims to give credibility to the ideology of the far Right. Zemmour
himself openly supports and incites racial violence and Islamophobia. On 18
February 2011 he was found guilty of incitement to racial hatred after telling a
TV chat show that drug dealers were mostly "blacks and Arabs". The latest
book “Le Suicide Français - Ces quarante années qui ont défait la
France” (The French suicide - the 40 years that defeated France) is yet another
piece of baseless, distorted racist propaganda. But with devastating
consequences for Africans and other minoritised groups in France and working
in French institutions in the UK. Following the protest, led by our member,
Sister Alice, a letter of complaint was submitted to the Home Secretary and
Metropolitan Police Commissioner, citing our alarm and distress at the
unlawful facilitation and promotion of racial hatred and xenophobia in the
UK by the Polish Club and La’ Page in their support of Zemmour and the UMP.
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