I have received contributions from various people both from within the
metropolitan Washington DC area and from other states and Canada. I have
received commitments from far more people including from people out on the
West coast. Overall I am hopeful that the community will come through on this
very important task. However I must stress we would need far more resources
if we are to make the difference we all want and in that regard I would once
again like to urge all list members to print the fine solicitation letter
Buharry drafted and actively solicit folks. I have told people within the
metro area to make efforts to put together their contributions and call me, I
would gladly drive out to their places and pick up. All contributions would
be posted at the Website Gambian.com. Once you get to the site you click the
Massacre Action Plan icon to look at the spread sheet depicting the
contributions and current totals. Contributors who wish to remain anonymous
can send me an email at [log in to unmask] or call me at 301890 4704. In that
case I would post only the amount for the required accounting.

The task force coordinator Soffie Ceesay helped arrange a  public meeting
yesterday at the Takoma Park Community Center. At the meeting the following
were discussed and agreed to:
1- A letter would be written on our behalf by the task force coordinator to
the families of the killed extending our condolences and offering help. The
families would be told that they would receive both financial and legal
support and would be asked for cooperation. To allow for more of the
contributions to come in, it was decided that the financial aid to the
families would not materialize at the previously anticipated time of the
seventh Day Sarah.
2-It was decided that the task force should submit names of lawyers for list
members to approve. We agreed that we must swiftly retain counsel for them to
begin the very important task of investigating and representing those
hundreds of kids under custody. Abdoulaye Suwareh , a practicing attorney out
here in DC has been very helpful helping us craft the strategy to be pursued.
He has agreed to sit in on telephone interviews of the perspective lawyers
that we intend to submit to the contributors for approval. Once they are
chosen, we agreed that the coordinator would be our principal laison to both
the families and the lawyers as we go about this important undertaking. Names
of various lawyers were proposed and it was agreed the following would be
submitted to contributors  for approval. The criteria used to select were
experience, record of practice, especially in handling controversial cases
that other lawyers shied away from. It was agreed based on the task at hand
that we would need a minimum of three lawyers. We settled on a list of four
lawyers from which three would be selected to begin contacting families and
lay the ground work for the ultimate task of establishing the facts and
seeking justice. They are Amie Joof, Aboucarr Tambedou, Maraim Jack and Amie
Bensouda.
3- The meeting also agreed to begin immediately organizing two demonstrations
 at the Embassy here in DC. The first would be Tuesday April25 at 10.00am and
the second would be the last saturday of May which would fall on the ALD
weekend during which hundreds travel from out of state for festivities here
in DC . We also agreed to meet next Saturday for further deliberations.
 Finally list members who have different ideas regarding what the meeting
adopted or otherwise want to suggest something is certainly welcome. To
proceed in both an inclusive and efficient manner, I believe it would be
neccessary for list members to respond to issues submitted for approval
fairly quickly.

Karamba

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