ALD 2000: A Step in the Right Direction

The weather was quite unfavorable to outdoor activities and over the weekend
of the African Liberation Day events held in Washington DC. Yet it did not
dampened the spirits of the many gambians who converged at the various
venues.

On Saturday afternoon, there was a gambian demonstration organized by local
residents of Washington DC which attracted visitors from several cities
including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City and Philadelphia. The
group was demonstrating against the killing of gambian students by the
security forces on April 10 - 11, and in solidarity with GAMSU, the student
organization in The Gambia.

The protest coincided with the African Liberation Day Rally annually held at
the Malcolm X Park on 16th Street. Here, the demonstrators converged and
several speakers representing the various cities condemned the security
forces and the goverment of The Gambia for the attrocities committed against
the students.

Among those present at the park was Mr. Halifa Sallah who inaugurated his
speaking tour in the U.S. on this day. Mr. Sallah used the occassion to
speak on the Pan-African struggle in keeping with the theme of the ALD
Rally. His powerful oratorical skills was quite gripping as he skillfully
linked the struggles of Africans in the diaspora with that of the African
continent. He began with the historical genesis of the Pan-African Movement
from the early 1900s to the 1950s. (www.gambian.com/halifa1.rm)

Sallah then focused his attention on the type of leadership for Africa in
the 21st century. He contrasted the type of leadership that was needed in
the past and the new type for the 21st century. In his powerful oratorical
voice, he stated: "In the past, what we needed were strong leaders whose
personalities could galvanize the people together (Garvey, Nkrumah, ...). In
the 21st century, what Africans need is an empowered people!"

Because of the weather, the soccer matches for Saturday were postponed till
Sunday. The Welcome Party on the other hand was quite a hit. DJ Shakie of
Rhythm King Productions kept the beat pumping, skillfully mixing mbalah,
dancehall, and hip-hop in a synchronous manner.

On Sunday, the highly anticipated speech of Mr. Halifa Sallah was delivered.
The event, sponsored by The Gambia Leadership Conference (GLC), was held on
the grounds of Howard University, in Washington DC. The topic for Mr. Sallah
was entitled: "Challenges to Democracy in The Gambia in the aftermath of the
Student Killings".  The content of Mr. Sallah's speech was quite instructive
and his delivery authoritative. The event ended with all who came to hear
Sallah nodding in agreement that surely this must have been one of the best
speeches deleivered at a GLC event.

The soccer tournament saw Washington DC emerge victorious over their
brothers from Senegal, who had defeated Atlanta by a lone goal. Under the
able leadership of their coach, Louis Sulayman Thorpe, the potent DC side
was no match for the Senegalese. Adi Fofana emerged as the leading goal
scorer of the tournament, while Lamin Bojong was crowned the MVP.

The weekend ended with a Grand Party and Awards Ceremony with the attendant
spinmasters, DJ Moze of Tangle Vibes Productions and DJ El Dread of
Megaburst Productions. The St. Joseph's Alumni Association also held a
raffle for their fundraising efforts.

The weekend brought Gambians together to address matters of common
concern,to dialogue, to compete with each other, and socialize. It was
indeed a positive reaffirmation of the ties that bind Gambians together.

Thank you to all our visitors for a memorable weekend.

The ALD Organizing Committee
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A personal note:
Among the many whom I wish to commend for the successful outcome of the
various activities during the weekend are the following:
Louis Sulayman Thorpe, Ismaila Sanyang, James Gomez, Jr. Karamba Touray, Adi
Fofana, Soffie Ceesay, Veronica Njie, Lamin Jeng, Astrid Christensen, Haddy
MuNdow, Mustapha Minteh, Jogormai Ceesay, Salieu Barry, Saul Saidy-Khan,
Musa Jawara, Sang Secka, Dagmar Christensen, Ousainou Mbenga, Fatou Jow
Manneh, Mbaye Sarr, Grace Daniel Njie, Astu Drammeh, and the many others
whose names I have omitted.

Latjor
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