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| WALTER RODNEY 25th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE |
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Floods In Guyana ( A brief history) David Hinds: Race and Political Discourse in Guyana
Women Against Violence Everywhere |
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, Canada, and 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 bi-centenary of Haitian independence, the struggle to expand people's power in Venezuela, the courage and vision of women seeking constitutional recognition for caring work, the ongoing experiments in libertarian democracy in Chiapas, and the 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 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 to 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 chart new directions for the future. JOIN US in these Groundings as we - waged and unwaged workers, women, youth, farmers, artists, students, and teachers - come together in the spirit of Rodney 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. Together let us 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 http://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).
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