In 2017 as the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago commemorates its 25th anniversary, it breaks new ground with the opening of KTMLS17, this year’s Kwame Ture Memorial Lecture Series, which will feature two dynamic young activists coming out of the USA and London.
Those who are following international trends relevant to Africans reclaiming their dignity would be familiar with the growing movements in a number of countries to remove insulting memorials to criminals who committed mass murder in Africa or traded in and enslaved Africans by the millions over four centuries.
Two of the leading figures in those movements, one from the United States and one from Britain will be the featured speakers at the opening event which will take place at the Central Bank Auditorium, Twin Towers, Independence Square on Sunday June 25 at 5:00 pm.
The speakers who will address the topic: “Dismantling the Colonial Legacy: Reflections from a New Front Line”, are:
- Cleo Lake, artist, activist, Councillor (Cotham, England) and founding member of “Countering Colston”, a campaign that is stripping the city of Bristol, England of a notorious slave trader’s name building by building . and
- Michael “Quess?” Moore, critically acclaimed poet, actor, teacher, activist, co-founder and one of the principal leaders of “Take Em Down NOLA”, a corresponding campaign of decolonisation in New Orleans, United States of America, which has already led to the take down of a number of statues glorifying those who fought to maintain slavery in the United States.
The presentations by the speakers will be followed by a period of conversation with the audience. All can look forward to a stimulating evening.
The launch of the KTMLS17, will be followed by an exciting film festival that runs from June 29th to July 25th , comprising a number of award-winning films such as I am not your Negro by the Caribbean’s own master film maker, Raoul Peck, Get Out, Queen of Katwe and Fences. All films are free and will be followed by discussion.
For more information contact the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago at 625-5008, visit the website at www.emancipationtt.com or on Facebook at “Emancipation Support Committee – ESC”.
