I will scatter them, and then I will gather them: Deuteronomy 4:27; 28:64; 32:26; Isaiah 11:12;

Jeremiah 23:8 / Read about the African Slave Trade in Deuteronomy 28^th Chapter.

>>>>> #28 <<<<<

WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, AND WE OWE IT TO OUR CHILDREN TO ESTABLISH AND DEMAND BETTER LIVES FOR THEM

Dr. Robert Brock

Note from the REPNOW Newsletter Editor:

Your knowledge, foresight, and compassion never ceases to amaze me. And please know that it is indeed a pleasure to collect your articles and compile them into monthly Reparations Newsletters. There is no question that one day, without a doubt, we will gain respect in this world for we have intelligence, wit, and genius to create and do anything. Resulting from life in the lands of our captivity, history has only recorded a small fraction of our potential, capabilities, and accomplishments. And were it not for Slavery, no doubt WE would have the remedies for all diseases and without the outrageous medical costs, too. Enslavement inhibited our progress, social and economic movement, our thinking, and our right to self determination. And try as we might to manifest a Black Culture, we still exhibit the customs and ways of those who control us. However, I assure you that all this will change, and we WILL be free!

August 17^th is just another day for Blacks to remind the Descendants of our Slave Masters of what all their forebears have done to us, how many of our people were so brutally persecuted, murdered, maimed, raped, and yes, of course worked as Slaves for centuries until they died and without pay. August 17^th is just another day for Blacks to reiterate the predicament of our suffering unto this day resulting from the Slave Trade. August 17^th is just another day to give hope to those of us who want to walk on another continent. And regardless of how many more days we have to speak out about the INJUSTICE and LACK OF EQUITY that exists in this "Land of the Free," please know, my dear Brothers and Sisters, that our day will come.

The Honorable Marcus Garvey would be so proud of all of us if he could see our scholars, educators, lawyers, authors, scientists, doctors, etc., etc., working towards rising out of the control and suppression we endure. And he would embrace us all with much elation and fanfare knowing that a great many Blacks in the Diaspora wish to return to Africa.

Unfortunately, because of GOD’s Sabbath Day of Rest, I cannot join you in the demonstrations and protests for REPARATIONS IN OUR LIFETIME on August 17, but my prayers are that you will be safe and impressive.

Tziona Yisrael, Editor

www.thelawkeepers.org

(Click on "Repnow")

SOMETIMES WE NEED A LAUGH TO KEEP FROM CRYING

AND MY FOREFATHERS WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS ONE..

"FOR MY PEOPLE"

August 7, 2002

There was a Black man, a White man, a Native American Indian man, and a
Hispanic man...all four of them were on top of a cliff discussing the difficulties that his People have gone through. The Native American Indian said: "My people have suffered the most, and in honor of what my people have gone through, I will fling myself off of this cliff in hopes that my blood will Change things." So the Native American Indian yelled out real loud, saying "THIS IS FOR MY PEOPLE," and jumped off of the cliff. The Hispanic man, not wanting to be outdone, quickly looked at the other two men and followed yelling: "THIS IS FOR MY PEOPLE," and jumped off the cliff as well. The Black man was touched by these gestures and decided it was his turn, so he yelled "THIS IS FOR MY PEOPLE," and he pushed the White man off of the cliff!

[Violence is not always the answer. Of course the Thirteen Colonies used it and became the USA. Now, the USA uses it to manipulate the World. But look where it’s gotten them. Of all the countries on this planet, the USA is hated the most! Be sure to Read "The Rogue State" - "Last But Not Least." T.Y., Editor]

MILLIONS FOR REPARATIONS

August 13, 2002

I would like to invite you to a history making event. If you do not attend there will be information on our website about the rally.

Message to the Grassroots

Millions for Reparations, August 17, 2002, is a grassroots led and organized rally. We need your support to make it happen. Help us spread the word; help us organize buses; send donations to make the rally happen. Send $5.00, $10.00, as much as you can. Make donations payable to: The Code, mail to 456 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216. Donations also accepted on this site. We can do this.

The Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and Jim Crow set the stage for the 21st century. The policy of entrenched racism has emanated from all branches of the United States government. From the days of the auction block to the recent United States government walk out at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa, the United States government has relentlessly held on to its white supremacist ideology.

The exploitation of African people in this country has taken many forms through the years. The centuries of chattel slavery laid the foundation of our relationship to America. From the sharecropping fields to the factories, African labor built the "super power" that is the United States. In return, we have endured the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan, systematic lynchings, chain gangs, plantation prisons, police torture and murder, poverty, miseducation, inadequate housing, unemployment, welfare WEP programs, ACS child kidnapings, voter discrimination, crack, heroin, Rockefeller drug laws, political prisoners, and the assassination of our leaders. However, we're still here!!

The demand for reparations for African people is just and simple. It is simply an attempt to "repair," to "make whole" the descendants of the victims of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, which was a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY! Crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations.

We are going to the capitol of this nation, built on slave labor, the rightful and only place to declare our human and legal right to REPARATIONS.

Join Now!!

Aluta Continua,
Gregory Carey, president of Reparations Central

MATAH TV:

Watch C-SPAN, Reparations Rally this Saturday, 12 noon to 5PM EST.

August 12, 2002

History will be made during the Millions for Reparations Rally, Saturday August 17th, 2002 in Wash., D.C. The Rally will commemorate the 115th birthday of the honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The main theme is reparations; internal and external. External reparations are a demand to the U.S, international governments and corporations to compensate or repair Black people for the enslavement of our ancestors. Internal reparations are Black people repairing ourselves.

Black people have little control over external reparations. Black people, we have total control over internal reparations. We must take the necessary actions steps to achieve both, simultaneously. A lot of people are aware of the plan for external reparations. Very few are aware of the plan for internal reparations.

The Plan for internal reparations is simple. MATAH Network will introduce The Plan 'live' via C-SPAN. MATAH co-founder, Ken Bridges, and others will introduce The MATAH Plan for Internal Reparations.

Sisters and Brothers, this time the revolution will be televised. Make sure you're ready. Make sure you check your local TV listings. Make sure you invite your friends, family and neighbors to tune in. Make sure you listen and watch closely, then take action to implement The Plan.

Please share this information with your e-list and visit http://www.matah.com/

Watch C-SPAN, reparations rally this Saturday,

TV. Viewers will learn about the Matah Network - the "internal reparations" system.

Ashiki Taylor

MATAH Regional Organizer

230. (24hr.VM)

3. eMail: <mailto:ashiki@matah.com

4. http://www.mymatah.net/ataylor

5. http://www.matah.com/
   

Submitted by Digest for TheBlackList@topica.com, issue

MILLIONS FOR REPARATIONS

FIRST AID ADVISORY

August 12, 2002

AUGUST 17th, 12 PM - 5:30 PM

1. Please wear comfortable shoes.

2. If you normally take medication, please be sure you bring it and take it on that day with any necessary food/liquid requirements.

3. During the rally, please drink sufficient fluids. Do not fast on this day.

4. There will be readily visible aid stations with water, shade and chairs.

5. If there is the need for emergency services, bring it to the attention of one of the marshals for the day; come to one of the aid tents and we will facilitate the response.

6. The aid stations will also be lost and found locations if you get separated from your party.

7. If you have any special medical conditions, please a) inform the people you are traveling with and b) carry on your person any information that medical providers would need to know in the event of an emergency. This includes any known allergies to medication or contraindications to medication you are on.

LOGISTICS FOR NATIONAL RALLY AUGUST 17th, 12 PM - 5:30 PM

1. Provisions have been made for buses coming to DC to park at RFK Stadium.

2. Participants will be directed to walk to the rally at the National Mall or to take DC Metro transportation, which is very accessible.

3. The rally will start at 12 noon and end at 5:30 pm.

4. In close proximity to the event there will be vendors who have supported the rally by their application fees - please patronize these vendors for what you need.

5. If you should have any questions on Saturday, August 17th, please see the designated marshals.

If you need additional information please, visit our web-site:

Call (708) 389-9929 or (718) 443-2223

Fax us at the above numbers

E- mail us at "Friends Of Zimbabwe" <zimbabwefriends@mail.com>

Submitted by Digest for TheBlackList@topica.com, issue 1177

THE CALL:

MILLIONS FOR REPARATIONS

ON

AUGUST 17, 2002

August 8, 2002

REPARATIONS NOW!

The economic exploitation of African people in this country has taken many forms through the years. The centuries of chattel slavery laid the foundation of our relationship to America. From the share cropping fields to the factories, African labor built the "super power" that is the United States. In return we have received the terrorism of Klu Klux Klan, systematic lynching, chain gangs, plantation prisons, police brutality and murder, poverty, mis-education, inadequate housing, unemployment, welfare WEP program, ACS child kidnappings, and voter discrimination, crack, heroin, Rockerfeller drug laws, Political Prisoners, and the assassination of our leaders.

The demand for reparations for African people is just and simple. It is simply an attempt to "repair," to "make whole" the descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, which was a crime against humanity. Crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations. And our people, the victims of these crimes, still suffer from the vestiges of their enslavement and colonization. Racism persist to this day because it produces economic benefits for a social elite.

We are going to the Capitol of this nation, built with slave labor, and the rightful place to declare our human and legal right to Reparations.

THEY OWE US!

Now more than ever, African people must stand united!

FOR MORE INFO (718) 398-1766 or (718)443-2223

http://www.MillionsforReparations.com

Submitted by Digest for TheBlackList@topica.com, issue 1172

COUNT DOWN BEGINS FOR REPARATIONS RALLY

AUGUST 17^TH WASHINGTON, D.C.

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE ! ! REPARATIONS NOW!!!!
THEY OWE US!!

The last mile is always the most difficult. It is time to take a deep breath, get your form together and give it everything to the victory line. We would like to thank everyone for working hard and putting the word out about the march and building mass support throughout the United States and abroad. However now It's On.

Calling on Everyone to get to their nearest ticket center and purchase their ticket to get on the bus.

Calling on Everyone to call all their friends, family, and contacts to make sure that they are going to get their tickets to get on the bus.

Calling on Everyone to call the radio station that they listen to and ask them why they don't hear more talk about reparations and the rally on August 17th in DC.

Calling on Everyone to send in their contribution toward the rally to help defray the expenses for sound, toilets etc. You can ask your church or organization to take a special collection. All donations are tax-deductible.

Calling on Everyone to help spread the word in your neighborhood to secure all last minute support. (Call and get flyers, buttons, t-shirts, etc..) The question remains, did our Ancestors die in vain for some to tell us we do not have the right to what is ours or the means to get what we rightfully deserve?

Reparations belongs to us, we fought for it, we died for it and we shall continue to fight and die for it! They think if they pile barriers on and roadblocks before us we will surrender. Nobody has taught them that we don't know the word surrender. That word we can't spell. It's not in our dictionary!

To paraphrase Mugabe on the land question in Zimbabwe. We must learn from them and embody the desire to struggle and win against all odds. NEVER GIVE UP! VICTORY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE!

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."

They want to Stop us. They don't want this rally to happen. They get some of our own people to help them (consciously or unconsciously), but we will not give in. We Will Win and We Will Win with the help of the people. As in Zimbabwe, as in Cuba, and as in everywhere that oppressed people are triumphantly defeating the oppressor.

bakkaf@hotmail.com

*BLACK WORLD EVENTS
http://BlackWorldEvents.com

MOBILIZING MILLIONS FOR REPARATIONS

ALL ROADS LEAD TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

FOR MARCUS GARVEY’S BIRTHDAY

July 17, 2002

As I noted in previous articles, 2002 is the 30th Anniversary of two seminal events in the life and times of Africans in America in the 20^th century, the historic National Black Political Convention held in Gary, Indiana and the African Liberation Day marches and rallies that mobilized the largest number of people in support of the freedom struggles in Africa since the heyday of the of the Honorable Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

Three decades later, two veteran social and political activists who played leading roles in the Gary Convention and African Liberation Day, Viola Plummer of the December 12th Movement and Dr. Conrad Worrill, Chairman of the National Black United Front are National Co-Chairpersons of another history making initiative, The Millions for Reparations Mobilization.

The Mobilization will be a massive march and rally in Washington, D.C.
on August 17, the 150th birthday of the Honorable Marcus Garvey. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to educate, mobilize and organize millions of Africans in America to actively support and engage the struggle to win reparations for the sons and daughters of Africa in America to provide compensation to repair the damages of the
holocaust of enslavement and centuries of white supremacist domination. As the word about the August 17th Mobilization races through Black America, there is little doubt that this event will attract the largest number of people ever to visibly demonstrate support for the concept of reparations in the United States.

I can think of no more appropriate day to organize such a critical event than on the birthday of the Honorable Marcus Garvey who was an unflinching champion of "African redemption." And, I can think of no more appropriate time than the present to intensify the struggle for reparations. While George Bush and Aschcroft are spearheading a "war against terrorism" that is rapidly subverting the Bill of Rights of the
U.S. Constitution, Africans in America need to be focusing on the centuries of terrorism which was part and parcel of the long tortuous, genocidal and tragic travail of enslavement which victimized and "underdeveloped" our people in the U.S. and worldwide.

While the right wing forces in this country continue a furious assault on the "gains" of the civil rights movement by virtually defining racism out of existence through the judicial pronouncements of a reactionary Supreme Court, Africans in America need to be on the offensive demanding reparations and articulating a vision of a new social order where all of the victims of "Americanism" are made whole as a part of a New Covenant for a new society.

As I suggested during my remarks at the 13th Annual Convention of the
National Coalition for Reparations for Blacks in America (N'COBRA), reparations is now on the lips of millions of Africans in America who knew little about the concept or did not support it 30 years ago (N'COBRA will be sponsoring a series of educational activities in conjunction with the August 17th march and rally).

Now there is a rising tide of consciousness about reparations which needs to be widened and deepened to forge a formidable and irresistible force to compel the government, offending corporations and institutions to make restitution for their sponsorship and complicity with slavery.

The challenge is to mount a massive educational campaign that will covert the folks who now have a casual and superfluous knowledge about reparations into righteously outraged Africans who are prepared to engage the struggle for restitution, restoration and reconstruction of our communities by any means necessary - marches, demonstrations, litigation, legislation, economic sanctions, civil disobedience and
massive disruption - Reparations Now!

August 17, 2002 must mark a turning point, an event which signals that a
mass educational campaign is underway to mobilize millions of righteously outraged Africans to fight for reparations. Roger Wareham and a team of lawyers have already filed a series of lawsuits seeking reparations from corporations for their involvement in slavery. The N'COBRA legal task force headed by Adjoa Aiyetoro is preparing to
file another line of cases in the near future.

Harvard Professor Charles Ogeltree, Johnnie Cochran, Randall Robinson and Willie Gary are also poised to enter the judicial battleground for reparations in short order.

Congressman John Conyers, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus continues to dutifully introduce H.R.40, the Reparations Study Bill each year in the Congress of the United States. Multifaceted mass action in the street, however, is the single most important tactic that will strengthen the struggles in the courts, the legislative chambers and corporate board rooms. We must be prepared to become ungovernable in our quest to win reparations.

Accordingly, all roads must lead to Washington, D.C. August 17, Marcus Garvey's birthday. Organize your family, neighbors, friends, your sorority, fraternity, barbershop, beauty salon and bar buddies - drive, take the train, the bus, a plane, hitchhike, do whatever is necessary to swell the multitude which will gather in the Capital of the U.S. for the most significant march and demonstration in the first decade of the 21st
century - the Millions for Reparations Mobilization.

Bring your Red, Black and Green Flag, the Universal African Liberation Flag, our Flag, and proclaim to America and the world that the sons and daughters of Africa in America will not rest until the trials and tribulations, courage, vision and heroic struggles of our ancestors have been vindicated. Reparations Now! All roads lead to Washington, D.C on the 150th birthday of the Honorable Marcus Garvey! Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will."

By Ron Daniels

The Black World Today
729 East Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, 21202
Phone: 410 521 4678 | Fax: 410 521 9993
Email: editors@tbwt.com

Submitted by Digest for TheBlackList@topica.com, issue 1150

Only when WE are in the position to institute

"FREEDOM and JUSTICE"

for ourselves, will we embrace it.

And

it will never happen in the lands of our captivity!

T.Y.,

REPARATIONS NOW IN OUR LIFETIME Editor

AHI HOSTS AUGUST 17, URC

INDABA ON REPARATIONS AGAINST RACISM!

August 1, 2002

August 17, marks the 115th Birthday of the Hon. Marcus Garvey, one of the greatest International Afrikan organizers ever. In commemorating his birth this year, we must remember that although we never quite know just what our children will grow up to become, Marcus Garvey no doubt became one of the greatest sons of Afrika. He exceeded all the expectations of his family, his town, his island country, and his worldwide Afrikan NATION. Therefore, Azania Heritage International is proud to Host during the hottest days of summer, Black August, the First Little Haiti Unite & Resist Campaign Indaba called "UNITE for REPARATIONS, RESIST against RACISM!"

This exceptional event will be held at the Kingsley Association Center, 6118 Penn Circle S., E. Liberty (Pittsburgh) and will start LIVE at 10 AM. Tentative Speakers List for the day include the distinguished Prof. Rashid Soundiata, Pan Afrikanist scholar, and Prof. Uhuru Hotep, Duquesne U. professor and brother of Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton.

In continuity with all anti-racist action, our program ends promptly at 1 P.M. because Unite & Resist Campaign fully supports the Thomas Merton Center's August 17 "ROCK AGAINST RACISM" and will present on that day. Iskandar Langalibale will represent the collective views of Azania Heritage, URC and the Black Radical Congress. Hence, URC requests full participation from our supporters and all anti-racist people for the TMC event at Schenley Park, from 1 PM until 8 PM, and we will take a contingent there to give complete support and sustain anti-racist work in Pittsburgh.

For more information contact Iskandar at 412-628-6808

E-mail: unite_n_resist@yahoo.com

Submitted by Digest for TheBlackList@topica.com

July 19, 2002

This landmark hearing was conducted by the Governmental Operations Committee, Chaired by Deputy Majority Leader Bill Perkins. Councilman Charles Barron, the prime sponsor of four reparations Resolutions, joined him.

The first Resolution calls for the City to fund a commission to study reparations to descendants of enslaved Africans held here on the City's soil. Another proposes a "Reparations Awareness Day," while a third declares support for the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit that seeks restitution from three corporations that profited mightily from the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. The fourth calls for the United States Government to hold fact?based hearings on the issue of reparations.

SUPERB TESTIMONY PRESENTED

Perkins and Barron brought together an extraordinary roster of speakers who approached the subject from an array of viewpoints. The Federal, State and local levels of government were all represented as US Congressman John Conyers, Jr., State Assemblyman Roger Green, and former New York City Councilman Wendell Foster gave testimony. Deadria Farmer-Paellman and Atty. Roger Wareham, both pivotal in the class action lawsuit for retribution from Aetna Inc., FleetBoston Bank Financial Corporation, and the CSX Corporation, examined the issue from a legal perspective.

A phenomenal amount of historical background was provided by Howard Dodson, Chief of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, professor at the City College of New York, Prof. James Small, Vice President of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, and historian Rosemary Meely.

Community leaders Dr. Delois Blakely, who carries on the legacy of Queen Mother Moore, and Rev. Herbert Daughtry also gave important testimony. Ajamu Sankofa of N'COBRA, Atty. Mutu Matsimela from the Reparations Mobilization Coalition, and Linda Roots, for the Metropolitan Council of the NAACP, provided invaluable insight as well. Marion Davis and Reggie A. Maybry spoke simply and to the point in behalf of themselves and their enslaved ancestors.

OPPOSITION USEFUL

Also quite useful to the discussion was Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr., who voiced several arguments against reparations, giving them a chance to be rebutted. For example, he said he didn't believe reparations were in order because any debt owed was paid with the blood of the people who fought in the Civil War, and that dragging out this debate from the past would only be divisive.

Atty. Wareham addressed "this myth" that reparations would push the communities apart, stating, "They already are apart, and one of the reasons is, there has never been redress for the crime against humanity that was committed. When you look at the statistics that define the quality of life--infant mortality, healthcare, life expectancy, wealth, unemployment, incarceration--and you compare the statistics of the Black and Latino community with that of the white community, you would swear you were talking about 2 different nations, not people who supposedly have the same citizenship, opportunities, and rights. This discrepancy exists because of an historical imbalance that was never redressed. You can't move forward if you don't look back."

Dr. Jeffries pointed out, as well that during the Civil War, half a million white folk deserted the Union Army because they didn't want to fight. In fact, there were so many that desertion was made a crime punishable by death to try to stop them! He spoke about New York City's infamous Draft Riots of 1863, when immigrants, particularly the Irish, rioted in lower Manhattan, vandalizing and terrorizing the African
community. "They burned down a Black orphanage and maimed and murdered hundreds of our people," said Jeffries. "This is all documented and we have a sacred honor to lay it out."

Councilman Barron also reminded Vallone that his own father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., submitted a Resolution calling upon the US government to formally acknowledge the mistreatment of Italian Americans during the Second World War and to give these people and members of other ethnic groups similarly mistreated, reparations comparable to those given to Japanese Americans. "If it's good for Italians, it's good for Africans," stated Barron.

LITTLE-KNOWN HISTORICAL FACTS PRESENTED

An absolute wealth of little-known historical information was presented at this hearing. For instance, Assemblyman Roger Green--who has introduced his own Bills on reparations up in Albany--clarified the fact that New York was the heaviest slaveholding region north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Furthermore, New York City was a focal point in the trade of enslaved Africans on the Eastern Seaboard.

Howard Dodson concurred. He stated that although New York enjoys a reputation as one of the liberal refuges from slavery during the decades leading up to the Civil War, it was a slavery colony and state for 200 years--longer than the 177 years it's been a free state.

He also made it crystal clear that every white person benefited from slavery in New York, not just slaveholders. Slavery was a publicly organized and operated institution created by the laws of the colony of New Amsterdam. The first slaves brought to New York in 1625 weren't brought as private "slaves" to work for individuals, but as public "slaves" to work for the City. They built forts, constructed houses—in general were the labor force that created the foundations of New York City as we know it today.

Dodson also explained that from the founding of the Republic through the years leading up to the Civil War, New York City, as the financial and commercial capital of the United States, controlled the sale of the slavery-produced goods that were sold abroad. Cotton grown by enslaved Africans was shipped up here from the South, and from here sold to Europe. Even though the slave trade was abolished in 1807, New York continued to operate as a hub of the illegal trade to Cuba and Brazil well into the 1860s.

And he revealed a truly shocking fact: "Due to its economic dependence on slavery and the slave trade, when South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1861, Mayor Fernando Wood proposed that New York City also secede and join the confederacy. Fortunately, the City Council of 1861 voted down this proposition."

IT IS CURRENT!

One of the things brought out abundantly in this hearing is that the colossal injustice to Blacks didn't end when slavery did in 1865; the horrors have continued down to this very day.

Rev. Daughtry, spoke about the fact that the most vicious time of terrorism for Blacks was between 1865 and 1898. "You talk about terrorism today," he said. "During that period tens of thousands of our people were killed, lynched--and the legacy carries on."

Prof. James Small backed this up, stating, "You've got to count the fact that the Ku Klux Klan has killed more African American citizens than bin Laden, yet it's not declared a terrorist organization. Slavery is alive and well; it's simply changed its form and mannerism." He explained that after 1865 slavery became a de facto institution in terms of the Black Codes, sharecropping, Jim Crow, red lining, and segregation in New York City, which--as the 2000 Census exposed--is, even now, one of the most segregated cities in the entire nation. "That is a result of slavery in the State and City of New York," said Small.

Atty. Mutu Matsimela also provided an overview showing the rightness of the demand for reparations not only for what occurred under slavery, but for the systemic, institutionalized racism--all the denial of basic human rights current today.

He also made it clear that, contrary to what the US government and mainstream press would have us believe, the struggle for reparations is an international movement with lawsuits being prepared in the Caribbean, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, and throughout Central America. "This effort going on here in New York City is, in fact, a part of a global movement around reparations," he concluded.

When Chairman Perkins brought this groundbreaking hearing to a close, he said that he anticipates at least one additional hearing before a committee vote that would then send the Resolutions to the full Council for consideration.

For further information contact Perkins' office at (212) 788-7396

E-mail: perkins@council.nyc.ny.us.

By Donna Lamb

Submitted by

RacismReasonandRubbish] New York City Council Holds Historic Hearing on Reparations

[Ms. Lamb and a few others are the rare gems in this society who dare to speak out and who desire to see Reparations paid for the heinous crimes against Black humanity. Ms. Lamb is White, and her efforts in our regard are very much welcomed. T.Y., Editor]

***

AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

July 25, 2002

On Thursday, July 25th, at the United Nations in New York, another quiet but significant step was taken at the international level in the movement for reparations to the descendants of slavery. At its Consultative Session, the Economic and Social Council voted to fund the establishment of a Working Group of five Independent Experts on People of African Descent. Even though the main purpose of this Working Group is to consider ways of eliminating racial discrimination, it will also be an important forum for the diverse descendants of enslaved Africans all across the Americas, the Caribbean and the slavery Diaspora to meet and begin to make decisions about the means of reparations that would be required to restore the specific groups in the different countries.

This reporter was glad to have been there to witness the vote, invited by Mr. Silis Muhammad and accompanied by three members of All For Reparations and Emancipation (AFRE), Ida Hakim, Maia Hadi, and Hussamideen Fedayeen. AFRE is an international NGO that's been working at the forefront of the effort to gain UN assistance in the restoration and reparations effort. Members of AFRE were at the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) held in Durban, South Africa last September, and now, they had come to the United Nations to hear the debate and see the final outcome of this resolution passed at that ground-breaking conference.

THE PROCESS

It all started at the WCAR when the participating countries gave birth to a resolution calling for the establishment of this Working Group of five Independent Experts on People of African Descent, which would meet for two one-week sessions during this year, prior to the next meeting of the Commission on Human Rights. It was sent, as a part of the WCAR Declaration and Program of Action, to the General Assembly where it was approved. Next, it went on to the Commission on Human Rights, where it was hotly contested, with the first vote tied with several abstentions. On the second vote, it passed.

From there, it came to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for approval during its Consultative Session, held from July 22 - 26th at the UN. It was crucial that it pass there, for if it didn't, it would essentially die from lack of funding.

THE DISCUSSION ON THE FLOOR

When the Chairman of ECOSOC opened the floor for discussion of the resolution containing this decision, a delegate from Denmark spoke first on behalf of the European Union (EU). He stated that the EU would be voting against it because they believed that "the text in this decision before us goes well beyond what was agreed on in Durban." He pointed specifically to the call for the establishment of the Working Group on people of African Descent as one of the things that had been added after that agreement.

The delegations from both Cuba and South Africa, however, strongly disagreed. The Cuban delegate said that while Cuba respects the right of any country to vote as it pleases, they could not stand by when inappropriate statements were made--such as pronouncing that the decision to form this Working Group had not come straight out of the Durban Conference, but had been added later. And a delegate from South Africa agreed that "nothing could be further from the truth" and said they "were shocked by the comments made by the EU."

The United States' statement was short and, unfortunately, pretty much what one would have expected. After saying that the US opposes racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of religious discrimination and related intolerance both here and abroad--all of which can be seriously questioned--the delegate stated, "However we cannot support this resolution. The resolution is based on the flawed outcome of the World Conference against Racism and the Durban Declaration in which the United States did not participate and which the United States does not endorse."

THE VOTE

Regardless of how the discussion went beforehand, when the vote was taken it was thrilling to see on the voting board--where each country's vote was instantly registered next to its name and a running tally of all the votes was displayed on the side--that the yes votes climbed higher and faster than the no votes and abstentions. The final count was 30 in favor, 17 against, and 4 abstentions.

On close inspection, it could be seen that the no votes were essentially the United States and European Union along with Australia. Burundi Cameroon, Croatia, Japan and the Republic of Korea abstained. The delegations from the other counties on the Economic and Social Council--from Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, China, and the Russian Federation--voted for the resolution.

After a vote is taken, delegates are given the opportunity to explain their vote if they wish. Australia did so, saying that they had voted against the draft decision because of the "divisive political discussions" during the Durban Conference. Hearing this, one couldn't help but think of how frequent it is for white folk to make an accusation that something "divisive" is taking place whenever people of color stand up for their rights.

THE MEANING FOR REPARATIONS

When asked how she thinks the establishment of this Working Group will impact on the reparations movement, Ida Hakim explained, "The force that brought this working group into existence was the reparations movement, so I'm confident that this working group will deal with the subject of restoration and reparations. Our hope is that it will continue the movement already underway at the UN to unite the descendants of enslaved Africans as one people, from Canada to Chile, to the Islands and across the slavery Diaspora."

This reporter was grateful to have been there at the United Nations to see history in the making, as another victory was won in this great—and very necessary--struggle for justice.

By Donna Lamb

ORDER YOUR REPARATIONS RIBBON-PINS TODAY!

From: Reparations Mobilization Coalition

The ribbon-pin has been a very popular item! It is a small plastic lapel pin shaped in the form of a red, black and green ribbon. The Reparations Ribbon is appropriate for any style of clothing that a Sister or Brother would wear.

If organizations and individuals need 100 or more pins, please allow 3-5 weeks delivery time due to the fact that we have to re-order an even larger quantity. Now, that's a great "problem" to have!

They go for a donation of at least $1.00. Include 75 cents for every 10 ribbons ordered for shipping and handling.

All organizations and individuals interested in bulk quantities as well as any correspondence, please email the Reparations Mobilization Coalition at: <reparationsnow@tbwt.com>

Please make checks payable to: "Brecht Forum/Reparations" and send to:

Reparations Mobilization Coalition

122 W. 27 Street 10th Floor

New York, New York 10001

All proceeds go towards the Coalition's Reparations Update! Newsletter and its grassroots educational/mobilization work.

Reparations Mobilization Coalition
<reparationsnow@tbwt.com>
Visit: www.murchisoncenter.org/joshua/reparations

REPARATIONS MUST BE PAID

July 17, 2002

African slavery was perhaps the worst form of terrorism of the last 500 years, with the physical subjugation and economic hobbling of countries running a close second. Sometimes it was difficult to differentiate between the two groups, the horror of it all. Western European nations have been the greatest colonisers and enslavers in world history.

Yet, ironically, they have been able to do a mental sleight of hand with respect to the enslavement and colonising of Africa and similar positions vis a vis the African Diasporas, as against their being overrun and their economic and industrial growth
crippled by the Germans during World Wars 1 and 11.

The Allies, having defeated Germany at the end of World War 1, established a Reparations Commission, which just under two and a half years later in April of 1921 required reparation payments from Germany to the tune of US$33 billion! The British, who were part of the Allied Forces, which defeated Germany, had paid at the abolition of slavery 20 million pounds sterling, not to the slaves, but to those who had enslaved them. I write this without bitterness, without rancour, but merely to demonstrate why any seeking of the redressing of the imbalance of history, with particular reference to reparations to the descendants of African slaves, as well as to former colonised Africans, has validity.

The position of Allied Europe, immediately following on World Wars 1 and 11, clearly approximated that of colonised Africa, not merely after slavery, but during the long depressing night of colonialism.

Let us begin with World War 1. Germany, which had declared war on and had fought the Allied nations had crushed France for the second time in a little over 40 years. At the end of the war, France, had demanded and received reparations from Germany, not only in the form of money, but raw materials. France, whose economic and industrial growth had been set back by the war, sought and won the ceding for a period of 15 years the extensive Saar coal mines of Germany, as well as the return of Alsace and Lorraine, with its vast coal mines, which Germany had seized from it years earlier in 1871.

Germany's rapid industrial development had been made possible by the vast mineral resources in the Saar, the Ruhr and Alsace and Lorraine. The reparations received by the European countries, which had been occupied and ravaged by Germany had set a precedent for the manoeuvre to help similarly affected countries back on their feet.

It had been Europe's colonies in Africa and India which had forged the industrial growth and economic expansion of Western Europe. Industrialisation of European occupied Africa was deliberately discouraged, even to the extent, at once ludicrous and sad, of a Governor rejecting a proposal to establish a factory in Uganda to produce blankets! "The estimated levels of per capita industrialisation around 1750" in what is today called the developed world and the now so-called developing world, saw the developing world responsible for 73 percent of the world's manufactured goods, while the developed world produced 27 per cent: Paul Bairoch, "Economics and World History: Myths and Paradoxes".

By 1860, after more than a century of cruel exploitation and deliberate underdevelopment by Europe, the situation had been reversed. The developing countries now produced 36.6 percent of the world's manufactured goods, and the developed nations 63.4 percent.

By 1900 the developing world, with the colonies largely restricted to being primary producers, turned out 11 per cent of the world's manufactured goods, and the developed world 89 per cent.

This was not due to hurricanes, earthquakes and pestilence, but part of an almost diabolical policy of Western Europe. But even these sad differences in production levels slipped yet further in 1953 to 7.2 percent and 93 percent respectively, rising a bit to 16.7 percent developing world and sliding back a mere whisper to 83.3 percent for the developed world.

Germany's policy, as it sought to colonise Tanganyika, about 1880, instituted a scorched earth policy to subjugate the area. There was "the systematic destruction of houses, crops and storages, as well as the capture of available stock....The military command found that famine was its most useful weapon....Troops were stationed
in a strategic food production location to prevent any farm activity during the main seeding periods. The local people were faced with the cruel choice of surrendering or facing death by starvation" Helge Kjekshus, "Ecology Control and Economic Development in East African History: The Case of Tanganyika 1850-1950".

As a result of this, the man made famine, Kjekshus would note in Pages 143 to 146, became the strategy relied on almost entirely by the German Army as it sought to overcome resistance. Indeed, so proud were the Germans of this strategy that they went so far as to incorporate it in their standard military handbook at the time. It was, the handbook cynically described it, a cruel but useful ally which the Army should not refrain from putting to use.

When German military operations ended in August of 1907, one estimate, put 75,000 Africans as having died during the war. In another estimate, 120,000 were supposed to have died mainly from famine.

Following the end of World War 11, total reparations demanded of Germany and Italy by principally Russia, Greece, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia totaled US$1.27 billion, plus raw materials and what have you. At the end of World War 1 the sum of US$33 billion had been demanded and agreed to for the restoration of Belgium, France.

If Europe (the Allies) could demand and receive reparations from Germany, then why can’t Africa and the African Diaspora not be able to demand and receive reparations from their former colonisers who had suffered far worse. Reparations, Africa and its Diaspora should insist, must be paid.

By Brotha George Alleyne

http://www.newsday.co.tt/commentary.shtml

Submitted by [BRC-REP] Trinidad-Tobago Says: Reparations must be paid!!

A REPARATIONS – YES ANNOUNCEMENT!

"Real Unity"

Submitted by MzWayMaker@AOL.COM

REPARATIONS YES - MOVEMENT

The Reparations - Yes International Petition

Drive Web Site is Up and Running!

The International Reparations Petition

located online at:

has reopened!

Please pass the word

&

Remember the goal is

No Less Than

150 Thousand signatures per state!

Please visit www.unity4theworld.com and sign the petition Today!

Remember we are trying to secure 50 Thousand signatures from each state and foreign country, every signature counts, including yours!

Ms. Clara Peoples

503-287-7532

Ms. Lisa Clay

503-284-6152

Dr. Saharra Bledsoe

202 783-3705

MzWayMaker@aol.com

IN SUPPORT OF REPARATIONS!

*****MARK YOUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS*****

POST-DURBAN WORKING CONFERENCE

To form a global Nongovernmental Pan-African Organization by which we can work together.

For further information, please CONTACT: ebontek@earthlink.net

Let us KICK BUTT!

ANCESTOR MAY BE LISTED & A MASTER SOLD BY A SLAVE

June 25, 2002

Although it is loosely used by many, including myself, the following should actually be credited to Jomo Kenyatta, according to Chifu, it can be found in his book, Facing Mt. Kenya:

"When the missionaries came to Africa
they had the Bible and we had the land.
They said ‘Let us pray.’ We closed our eyes.
When we opened them we had the Bible
AND
they had the land."

See a wide range of E-mail Addresses & WebSites on REPARATIONS in the REPNOW Issue #13.

We are also attempting to unify and centralize the reparations movement. We are looking for other organizations that are doing reparations work to put on our website. Also, we are asking every organization to consider putting an audio/video presentation on our website. This website is the hub of the reparations movement worldwide. We need your support and help to make this reparations clearinghouse a successful venture.

Up You Mighty Race; We Can Accomplish What We Will!!!!

These BLACK FRIDAY suggestions can be part of your ongoing commitment to act in solidarity with the worldwide demand for reparations. August 16, 2002 can be the beginning of an active commitment to lift up this demand throughout the United States by speaking about the issue in your circle of friends, family, associates and civic organizations; by supporting Black owned businesses; and, by demanding that those who are elected to represent you, support Reparations.

From: lcmnelson@attbi.com

Read about how David Horowitz will expose the movement for what it is and educate more people about what its truly at risk if we fail to squelch this movement now.

Submitted by o_akkebala@msn.com

BLACK JOURNALISTS JEER PEER

Submitted by alarkam@webtv.net

If african blacks weren't so promiscuous, AIDS would never have worked!

Look Mandingo....

Submitted by o_akkebala@msn.com