Omar, sorry for the low turn out in New York, but you'll can hold your heads
high.  You did your part and it is up to Gambians to decide what they really
want - Change or Chatter.  And yes, rhetoric is the cheapest commodity but
the reality is rhetoric alone gets us nothing.  We need to contribute to the
Gambian cause both financially and by attending activities.  None is
expected to attend every function or put a buck in every fundraising
exercise, however, we owe it to our country and ourselves to contribute in
some things.  The articles and living room interest in Gambia is fine but we
need much much more than that.  I hope we change our attitude towards
participation.  Omar et al, I will see you on May 29.  Keep the faith.

Chi Jaama

Joe Sambou


>From: omar joof <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: A DAY WELL, STILL SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE
>Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 02:06:58 +0000
>
>A DAY WELL, STILL SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE
>
>
>On Friday April 9, 2004, we gathered across from the Gambia mission in New
>York to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the student massacre of April
>10 and 11, 2000. As the hours passed under the cold winds, our expectations
>for a large turnout subsided into a disappointment of questionable
>integrity
>of all the Gambians who expressed unity with the “march against Jammeh’s
>tyranny” but never showed up.
>
>We take it as a challenge to all the sons and daughters of Gambia who deep
>down harbor contempt for the oppressive Jammeh regime but are paralyzed by
>FEAR. This fear of the unknown can only be conquered by participation in
>such direct and positive action such as this march (demonstration).
>Brothers
>and sisters, if you are genuinely interested in fundamental change, try
>participating in positive action and see your horizon on every social issue
>broaden with fortitude.
>
>To Jammeh’s herd of sycophants and to a lesser degree the “wait-and-seers”
>on the sidelines, never underestimate what few human beings with deep
>convictions and commitment are capable of doing. Furthermore, never make
>the
>mistake of equating the low turn out with “Jammeh’s popularity”. The
>writing
>of his unpopularity has long been on the wall, our task is to diminish the
>element of fear and bring in mass participation.
>
>Consider this statistic at the height of the civil rights movement of 60’s.
>It was reported that only 1% of the US population actively participated in
>the demonstrations and sit-ins. It would be interesting to know what
>percentage of Africans participated in the pre-independence movement of the
>late 50’s and 60’s. Judging by the large crowds in the streets, one would
>conclude that there was mass participation. Indeed there was mass
>participation, but this was a period when people went looking for the
>REVOLUTION to change their wretched conditions of living, but conditions
>changed for the worst and now the REVOLUTION is looking for the people who
>would lead it to victory. The question is:
>How can we get mass participation from this point onward?
>
>We are not into the business of hauling insults and demeaning Gambians, our
>quest is to convince Gambians that participation is the only guarantee to
>change. Therefore, we must educate, agitate and organize ourselves. If lack
>of time and distance was your excuse, you have another chance to make time
>and stand along side your compatriots on African Liberation Day 2004.
>
>THE CHALLENGE TO ALL THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GAMBIA IS TO COME OUT ON
>AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY
>                           MAY 29, 2004
>
>“Giving-up” has never been in our vocabulary. We must choose to become
>activists, knowing fully well of the consequences of being a freedom
>fighter
>and a revolutionary to change our wretched conditions of existence. We
>should never use our children as an excuse for not taking part in the
>struggle for our freedom. We all must choose between FREEDOM and
>OPPRESSION.
>
>
>
>It is for these above reasons and the recent barbaric act of arson on the
>Independent Newspaper building that we are doing it again on AFRICAN
>LIBERATION DAY SATURDAY MAY 29TH 2004.
>Again, we hereby call on all the sons and daughters of Gambia who oppose
>Jammeh’s tyranny to join us in Washington, DC on ALD for a march and rally.
>ALD is already an annual event; it is on this tradition that we wanted to
>memorialize April 10th and 11th, days forever etched in our memory.
>
>The challenge of our history must be undertaken with conviction. Let us
>uproot the errors of the past, expose those of the present and generate a
>viable vision and tools to build a proud-future Gambia.
>
>Details of the weekend events will follow. Let us exercise discipline and
>be
>principled in this process, “conversation is the cheapest commodity;
>everybody has one”. Criticism and self-criticism is the life-blood of our
>movement, so never wait to make your constructive criticisms. See you on
>May
>29th 2004.
>
>Contacts: Pa Samba Jaw:(240) 418-4980,
>               Soffie Ceesay/ Mbaye Sarr: 301-618-1013
>                Saul Mbenga: 914 441-8839
>                Ous Mbenga: 202-328-8049
>                Yankuba Jammeh: 718-863-2942
>                 Omar Joof: 902-491-8668 ext 4701 #
>
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