Post by Nigel Westmaas on Dec 7, 2004 16:27:34 GMT -5
WALTER RODNEY 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE
c/o Nigel Westmaas
Department of Sociology
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
Ph: 607-729-9165
Website: www.rodney25.org
Email: wr25cc@rodney25.org
Release to Press and Public
A Grounding in Guyana: Celebrating Walter Rodney and His Vision of Emancipation 25 years After His Assassination. June 10-13 2005.
In the 25 years since Walter Rodney’s assassination much has changed in the world. The face of the oppression that has deepened the misery of peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and among working peoples in the US, and Canada, and in Europe has changed from its dictatorial manifestation into its "democratic" form. Poverty and misery are now products of a democracy that has been reduced to electoral competition among a self-regarding elite who thrive by exploiting every division among the working poor, be it racial, religious, tribal, ethnic or other cultural difference in order to hold them in subjugation, the better to be exploited by the new global masters.
But the resistance grows and examples abound. From the inspiring courage of the Cuban revolution, to the irrepressible self-emancipating activities of the Haitian people in the face of overwhelming hostility on this the bicentenary of Haitian independence, the struggle to maintain and expand people’s power in Venezuela and the courage and vision of women to achieve constitutional recognition for caring work, the on-going experiments in libertarian democracy in Chiapas, liberation movements in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, all these stand as evidence that the quest for fullest human liberation in our region and beyond is energized and on the move.
The Walter Rodney 25th anniversary Commemoration Committee - friends, colleagues, and other associates in the USA, London, and Guyana - those who share his vision of the emancipation of the working people and other oppressed sections of society - are organizing events to commemorate his inspiring life, work and insights and to draw attention to the challenges faced by ordinary people throughout the world.
The commemoration will take the form of a series of “Groundings” to be held in Guyana from June 10-13, 2005 to mark the 25 years since his assassination. These include, regional public lectures in Georgetown, Berbice and Linden on: 'Race', Politics, Culture, and Violence; Food Security, The Trade Union Movement, Social Justice Movements, and the Neo-Liberal State in the Caribbean today. Among other activities being planned: a community event in Tiger Bay, Georgetown-site of the first headquarters of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), of which Walter Rodney was a founding member; exhibitions and film screenings; an inter-faith ceremony; a cultural unity concert; and a closing vigil on June 13th.
We call on all those who have in any way been touched by the work, life and example of Walter Rodney to join us for groundings on renewal and on how we can draw on his vision and on struggles both historical and contemporary to chart new directions for the future.
JOIN US in these Groundings as we – all sectors of waged and unwaged workers - women, youth, farmers, artists, factory, field and informal workers, students, and teachers, in the spirit of Rodney, come together to share our ideas and vision for the resolution of the deep problems affecting the lives of our peoples in all parts of the world. And to recommit ourselves to the struggle to overcome them.
Information on who we are, plans for the groundings, and proposed program of activities are available on our website rodney25.org
The contact spokespersons for the anniversary committee are: Rupert Roopnaraine 592 228 2409, Andaiye 592 227 7481 (Guyana); David Hinds 480 965 1597(USA); Jai Parsram 416 289 1346 (Canada); and Malaika Scott +44 (0)20 8671 7279 (UK).
David Hinds
12/1/2004