Minister: Let us truly celebrate Emancipation

YESTERDAY marked the 166th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the English-speaking Caribbean. Senator Joan Yuille-Williams, Minister of Community Development and Culture took the opportunity to call on Afro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians to obliterate ignorance and negativity to truly celebrate Emancipation. Delivering the feature address at the start of a parade from the Brian Lara Promenade to the Queen’s Park Savannah, the Minister said: “it is our feeling that prejudice is largely engendered by ignorance. We intend to obliterate that ignorance, with your support. Let us remember the sacrifices and suffering of our enslaved ancestors.

“Let us glory in their triumphs. Let us resolve this day to play our part in making their dreams a reality in contributing positively to our society and truly emancipating ourselves from every negativity, so that in mind and body we can truly walk the freedom road, sing the freedom songs, beat the drum of liberation and truly celebrate the victory of the human spirit over every adversity.” Senator Yuille-Williams viewed Emancipation occasions as significant on the year’s calendar of cultural events despite the challenges of post-emancipation era. The Minister also paid homage to Haiti stating: “We remember Haiti today as we celebrate. They have paid and continue to pay a terrible price for their historic struggle.”

Earlier, Nigerian Ambassador AE Agbe brought greetings from his country and people, to those who gathered to celebrate Emancipation Day yesterday. He congratulated Kafra Khambon and the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC)  for keeping the flame of emancipation burning in TT. He appealed to Afro-Trinbagonians: “Not to let down your oars. Together we must continue the efforts to educate our young ones on the rich culture of Africa. This is important as it will enable them to appreciate their heritage as embodying their history and culture, which normally is the soul of any people anywhere.” Among the hundreds who took part in the march to the savannah were members of the ESC headed by Kafra Khambon, Junior Ministers Eddie Hart and Eulalie James, Energy Minister Eric Williams, former Senator Muhummad Shabazz and entertainers, Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington), Bill Trotman, Tigress (Joanne Rowley) and leading the flag waving, Composer (Fred Mitchell). Prime Minister Patrick Manning led the march up to Duke Street, before getting into his official car, exiting the parade before it got to the Savannah.