BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN UNITY and peacefully chanting ‘Rivers of Babylon’, several Rastafarians marched through the streets of Basseterre this morning, Friday, August 17.
They held placards emblazoned with various requests and according to Ras Dabo Penny, Public Relations Officer of the Nyabinghi Theocracy Order (NTO), they marched for several reasons.
“We’re marching against discrimination, brutalization by police, marginalization; marching against the unjust laws of marijuana, forced vaccination on our children - all these things that are being taught by society and forced upon us against our wishes; we want to be consulted as Rastas and not have things forced upon us where we have to accept or die,” he said.
Penny said that for several years they have been motivated to march because of the injustices they experience and they are hoping to make the march an annual one.
“In recent times we have seen the judges and magistrates in the Courts delivering harsh penalties for marijuana and when the brothers go to jail, their locks are cut and they are not served the kind of food that Rastas eat. Our children go to school and there are no special privileges for Rasta children in school with the food served; even in the hospital our rights are not respected.
“I was with a Rasta in the hospital and he was served chicken soup, which is against his rights, and this is the disrespect that is rooting throughout society and we say it must stop.”
The march was not a large one but Penny feels strongly that it is a step in the right direction.
“The Chinese say the journey of thousand miles starts with one footstep, so we consider the march a great success, no matter how small or big it is. The step on this journey couldn’t begin without this step. We still give thanks for who came out and the point was made.”
According to a previous report on this website, the NTO was upset about a route denial they had received.
Penny said that they “had applied to march right down Church Street and when they received their reply learnt that the route had been changed so that when they arrive at Central Street they would have to turn right and march down behind Government Headquarters instead of marching in front of it.”
“We stated clearly when we applied that we would be marching in peace and in an orderly manner. We had no intention of standing when we reached in front of Government Headquarters and picketing; we were just going to march by, so we find it very strange that the police would take those measures," he explained.
Penny said that they felt disrespected by this and insisted that the only ‘talking’ that would have been done would have been through strong messages they were displaying on placards.
All in all the fight continues for the Rastafarian community.
Next in the order of steps to be taken is acquiring a Bill of Rights in the constitution.
“We have written to Hon. Tapley Seaton and that was his admission that we should try to lobby for a Bill of Rights in our constitution. He mentioned that Jamaica had just finished such an exercise, so after 30 years we can try and protect the rights of every individual because there are loop holes. There’s no perfect Constitution in the world, so the quicker we can see wrong, the more our people can live in peace and harmony,” the PRO said.
He said the Bill of Rights would ensure a number of things for them including the right to smoke herb and use for religious practices, a right to refuse vaccination on their children, freedom from police brutality, respect for their place of worship and the respect to keep their locks while in prison.
The day also commemorates Marcus Garvey’s birthday, which they will also celebrate with a rally at Independence Square.
Washington Archibald is scheduled to speak at the rally.
