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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