His Royal Highness
Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie
His Royal Highness Prince Ermias Sahle
Selassie, yesterday visited the new home of the African Cultural Renaissance
Movement (ACRM). His Royal Highness' visit to the island marked exactly 50 years to
the day that his grandfather His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie set foot
on our shores. Expectedly, followers of Rastafari came out in great numbers to
greet the grandson and direct descendant of the one, they affectionately call
the ‘Lion of Judah’.
Prince
Selassie speaking with Benjamin Asamoah Overseer/Advisor of ACRM
Prince Selassie was in the island as part of
a day of celebrations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his
Grandfather, Emperor Haile Selassie’s visit to our country. Each year the
Rastafari Movement celebrates the coming of His Imperial Majesty to Jamaica,
called Grounation Day with a number of events. Significantly the ACRM is also
planning a celebration later this year, to commemorate our 45th
anniversary since our founding in 1971. Notably, this period, between the 60’s
and the mid 70’s was a time of great oppression, and persecution of blacks and
it was this series of events which aroused the consciousness of a group of
students on the UTech, Ja Campus then CAST. This led them to form the Black Culture
Renaissance Movement – later renamed the ACRM.
His Royal Highness was
visiting the UTech, Ja campus and a trip to ACRM’s new building was included as
part of his itinerary. The ACRM is currently located behind the Cynthia Shako
Daycare Centre, having been relocated late last year to facilitate ongoing construction
across the school campus. Importantly,
this site was a part of an enslaved settlement on the Hope Estate, and His
Royal Highness' visit would have been in memory of our African Ancestors who
were taken from their homeland and made to work in inhumane conditions during
the brutal Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Pictured
from left to right Prof. Colin Gyles, Acting Pres. UTech, Ja, Stephen Golding
Pres. Of the UNIA
and His Royal Highness Prince Ermias
His Royal Highness was escorted to the ACRM's new
location by Mr. Benjamin Asamoah, Club Overseer and Advisor. He was then greeted by the Organization's President, Mr. Kevaughn Fraser. Mr. Fraser
addressed His Royal Highness on the history and the contribution of the ACRM,
among them being restarting the UTech Photography club, to encourage greater creative
expression among the student body as well as the implementation of our ACRM
Evening School which was formed out of a desire to offer at risk youth the
chance to pursue higher studies. Additionally, Mr. Asamoah made mention of our intention to erect a permanent structure to replace our current office, which
would house both our club as well as an African Research Centre to facilitate
the study of language, culture and other rites and heritage from the mother
land.
Prince
Ermias centre pictured with his wife Saba Kebede dressed in white and Olivia
Babsy Grange Min. of Entertainment and Culture, to the right
Other dignitaries who accompanied the Prince
were his wife Saba Kebede, Member of Parliament Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange also the
Minister of Entertainment and Culture ,
Prof. Colin Gyles, Acting President of UTech, Ja as well as Mr. Stephen
Golding, President of the UNIA.
The ACRM welcomes His Royal Highness to
Jamaica, and prays that he will enjoy a fruitful visit.
Rowen A. Johnson
Public Relations Officer
rowen_johnson@yahoo.com
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