Hundreds Celebrate Garvey’s Birth

Hundreds of citizens in St. Ann as well as followers of National Hero, The Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, turned out on August 17, to commemorate the 122nd anniversary of his birth.
The celebration, organised by the St. Ann Civic Affairs and Community Relations Committee, was also held to mark the 45th anniversary of Garvey being declared a National Hero.
The event began in the morning with the renaming of Market Street in St. Ann’s Bay to the new Marcus Garvey Way, and culminated at 4:00 p.m. with a Civic Ceremony on the grounds of Lawrence Park.
Among those in attendance were: Ministers of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Honourable Robert Montague and Honourable Shahine Robinson; Member of Parliament (MP) for Southwest St. Ann, Ernest Smith; Member of Parliament for Southeast St. Ann, Lisa Hanna; National Festival Queen 2009, Kemisha Turner and Lecturer in the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of the West Indies, Professor Verene Shepherd.
In his remarks, Mr. Montague said that he was pleased to be associated with the celebrations of the birthday of the National Hero.
“Indeed, I am pleased with the turn out in St. Ann’s Bay of the people of St. Ann, celebrating this Hero that you have not only given to Jamaica but to the world,” the State Minister said.
Meanwhile, Tendai Fundial, a citizen of the United States and follower of Marcus Garvey, told JIS News that she enjoyed the celebration a lot and was happy that it was held in honour of the National Hero.
“I have been a follower of Garvey for many years and this event today means so much to me, because Garvey has impacted my life, and the way I live and how I raise my children and my grandchildren, to make sure that they know who they are and to make sure that they can stand strong and be proud of being Africans,” she said.
Devon Evans, a resident of St. Ann’s Bay, said that the Marcus Garvey celebration served to instill more confidence in people like him.
“Marcus Garvey told us about self reliance and unity of purpose, among other things, and when we see the turnout here this afternoon and the sentiments expressed, then at least we have some hope that all is not lost, and if we continue on this track, continue to be guided by the inspiration of Marcus Garvey, I am sure we will make a better nation,” he told JIS News.