President David Granger to address Cuffy250 Third Annual State of African Guyanese Forum

The Cuffy250 Committee joins with the rest of Guyana in saluting the African Guyanese community on the observance of the 177th anniversary of the formal abolition of slavery. We urge that as we celebrate we should not ignore the uncomfortable truth about the state of the African Guyanese community. African Guyanese communities have been persistent victims of discrimination, stereotyping, and state violence. Stripped of their organizations, knowledge of and pride in their history and of their economic base, the African Guyanese community is in a worse state than it was in 1838.

In this regard, this year’s observances should serve as a reminder to all Guyanese, especially those charged with governance at all levels, of the Emancipation promise of liberty, freedom and equality. Cuffy250 calls for a determined commitment, in word and deed, by government to make good on those promises; a commitment that must go beyond festivities. African Guyanese must also participate in the restoration of its equal standing in Guyana. We again urge African Guyanese begin to plan as a collective to lift itself.

We in Cuffy250 will set the ball rolling at our Third Annual State of the African Guyanese Forum to be held on Sunday August 9 at 10am at the Critchlow Labour College where we intend to raise anew the quest for ethnic equality in Guyana. This year’s Forum is being held under the theme Guyana's Renaissance: The 50th Anniversary of our Independence and the Positioning of the African Guyanese. The Forum will discuss the way forward for African Guyanese and help chart an African Guyanese Cultural and Socio-Economic agenda as part of the larger national thrust. The Forum would also hear a report of Cuffy250’s work over the last year in communities across Guyana.

Speakers include President david Granger, Nigel Hughes, Audreyanna Thomas, Royston Peters, Realene Andrews, Vincent Alexander, Comica Johnson, Osafo George, Elsie Harry, Dr David Hinds and African American Civil Rights Activist Fiah Rose.