On Saturday 23 August I represented the Green Party at the RMT 19th Annual Reparations Conference, with this year’s theme Climate Justice and African Reparations.
Organised and Chaired by RMT Member and Croydon Black Lives Matter Mel Mullins. I was a little shocked to learn that this was the RMT’s 19th Reparations Conference which I was unaware of during my time as a Labour Councillor and here I am a new member of the Green Party being made aware of this very important annual event and representing the Greens!
The Conference naturally focussed on Reparations, the Governments determination to avoid any discussions on the subject, speakers from various organisations in attendance, the guest speaker, was Robin Walker Known as (The Black History Man) who presented the topic: How Enslavement Brought Eco-Friendly Afrikan Farming Techniques to the Western World. There were several workshops covering issues such as Community Building: local action for global change.
Sustainable Practices: Empowering Climate Justice:
I co-chaired a workshop on Advocacy and Action: Campaigning for Reparations and informed the group of the Green Party’s part in bringing forward Lambeth Council’s call for Reparations. On 16 July 2020, the Council called on the Government to launch a commission, commit to reparations and overhaul the country’s curriculum to address this country’s role in the slave trade.
I also pointed out that to positively campaign on reparations the community needs to understand what is meant by reparations what form will this take. To support this, we should work closely with the Caricom ten-point plan working as a collective.
Our very own Ria was in attendance, and she informed the Conference that the Green Party is the only party with a Reparations Policy.
An interesting and informative conference I look forward to attending next year.