We apologize for the tardiness in communicating the outcome of the meeting this past Tuesday (4 March 2014) between the RasTafari/Howellite Community and the Jamaican Government about the issue of Pinnacle: The Government of Jamaica has set forth a Commission to deal with ALL RasTafari issues. Committee members are: Mr. Burchell Whiteman, Mr. Rupert Lewis and Judy Wedderburn ( Absent) Present at the Meeting concerning Pinnacle were all the above mentioned, Lisa Grant of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and a representative from the National Land Agency. From the RasTafari community: Representation from the Leonard Howell Foundation, Occupy Pinnacle, RasTafari Youth Initiative Council and RMC 1. The Government of Jamaica has declared they are prepared to ACQUIRE 6 lots, previously identified in 2009, with the intention to further investigate other sites of Heritage for similar consideration. However at this time only 6 lots will be acquired. Other Lots to be Immediately Considered: a) Mrs. Howells Gravesite b) Howellites ancient burial grounds which now has an apartment complex c) Bat Caves d) Animal Feeding Pool separating the backyard of 2 residents. e) Mr. Howells last house at Cross Pen f) Adjoining lots to facilitate proper infrastructure to support the Heritage Site 2. The JNHT promised at the meeting and has since visited Pinnacle on Thursday ( March 6) with archaeologists under the guidance of the Howellites and the Leonard Howell Foundation to further investigate desecrated heritage sites, including the grave site of Leonard Howells wife. They quickly discovered the magnitude of the situation and will return with the proper equipment and permit necessary for proper detailed research. The JNHT advised us in the meeting that a Preservation Notice would be necessary to stop the construction and allow for the research. This will have to be signed by the Ministry of Youth & Culture will have to sign this notice once the boundaries have been identified on the follow up visit on a date to be identified. JHNT also informed us that the desecration of a gravesite calls for a STOP ORDER that can be more quickly enforced by Ministry of Health and Parish Council to immediately cease construction to facilitate investigation. The Government Commission & JNHT agreed to facilitate communications addressing the issues with the Ministry of Health and Spanish Town Parish Council. 3. Howellites Brother Kenyute and Brother Gallimore who were present at the meeting provided testimony and information which expanded on the atrocity, destruction and land theft of Pinnacle, and how it affects them still. We had farms, football fields, animals and nuff fruit trees bout the place. We as the youths were the ones who planted buff of the trees...Sour sop, sweet sop, cashew, mango, nesberry, orange, you name it. Him never run no wire fence, cause everything was for everybody. All of dat is what dem take. Very significant was that the Howellites pointed out that there are several grave sites at Pinnacle and that it is against the law. I dont know nowhere in Jamaica where you can bury on lease land, rent land or capture land. It is against the law. Anywhere win Jamaica can do that? Tell me... Coolie Gyal bury roun the North part. We used to fraid to go round dere. She is the only one dat di get stones on her grave dat side. No other grave never really mark more than you know say its right by the Big mango tree round by Guango walk. We were brothers and sisters at Pinnacle so we buried our personal family that passed away in one place, as one community family. They also pointed out Mr. Howells prophecy being fulfilled... Mr. Howell say him buy Pinnacle when him was overseas. Two time him buy the place from the Chiney man. Him did say some people goin to tek the land...and it going to build up and a highway going to come through it before we get it back. Him say we must not let them take Pinnacle away from us. Him buy it for Rastaman. Pinnacle is for us again. And I see it coming to pass Bro Kenyute spoke strongly about the sufferation of the people and how Mr. Howell had a Vision to stop poverty.I would like to see a lot of Pinnacles round Jamaica because you have nuff Rasta still searching for a place to rest, like what our leader Gong did do for us.Now we need schools, drumming centers where we can teach people the craft and communication before we get too old. 4. Occupy Pinnacle research team stated that the RYIC have cleared land and uncovered further historical sites including wells, walls and antiquated coins and clay pottery on lots that have yet to be identified. We presented the Commission with some of the relics recovered by the Occupy Pinnacle research team & RYIC. It was also communicated that several rare and protected National Hummingbirds have been sited at the Pinnacle daily enjoying the fruit of the Aloe Vera flower and interacting with I & I as we move through. A Question was posed to the gathering... If you could return in the next life as another manifestation what would you choose to be? Many responded... A Bird some said A Hummingbird 5.We assured the Commission that the RasTafari community has great Vision for Pinnacle and are willing & able to protect and preserve our Living Heritage in a way that the Government and JNHT is not be able to. Occupy Pinnacle stated the intention to continue research, documentation and preliminary preparations to accommodate community and family visits. It was Re-enforced that the estimated 120 acres of unoccupied Lands also be ACQUIRED by the Jamaican government on behalf of the RasTafari Community for the re-development of a self-sustainable village of industry and indigenous life. We recognize that it is 500 Acres of Land that is National Heritage and this is a case of Restorative & Reparative Justice which must be observed and treated as such. Conversations about further material compensation for the living survivors of the destruction of Pinnacle will continue in focus with conversations about the land. 6. A Pinnacle Trust Fund will be created to raise the finances put forth to purchase the land, which would instead be used to develop infrastructure for RasTafari Industry and Spirit to excel. It was clearly stated and overstood that the RasTafari community will NOT buy the land. The Fund will also facilitate and administrate the process of compensation for the Howellites. 7. It was clearly stated that we over stand that Brand Jamaica is heavily dependent on RasTafari and all H.I.M. children as a backbone of the economy of Jamaica. And if we were all to pack up and move away from Jamaica there would be no Jah or no Mecca left here...so we are being quite graceful in the face of all the persecution. We danced, we sang, we took pictures, all the nice things you wanted us to do for Reggae Month. We made no trouble when we could have. We urge the government at act in a more urgent and efficient way in moving forward to resolving this situation with Pinnacle and we trust that the Prime Minister is doing all that she can to do all the good that she can. The Commission stated a number of times that the Prime Minister is extremely anxious to resolve this situation because she feels that Mr Howell and his followers were disgracefully treated by the British forces and successive governments. We see the meeting as a positive move towards finding a stronger and more cohesive way forward that will work out for the Jamaican and International community in a way that builds industry, economy and indigenous education for the RasTafari Nation. We Give Thanks to all the Ones who have been so supportive in these moments of Decision. On behalf of the Leonard Howell Foundation, Occupy Pinnacle and RYIC we truly are humbled to be servants of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I on the King of Kings Mission to do all the good that I & I can. His Majesty speaks... Mere talk is the instrument of the lazy and will not take us anywhere. Unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do, he will never be able to do all he can... youtube/watch?v=q5nWXRYWXGQ
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 15:43:18 +0000
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