By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
Members of the Tivoli Dance Troupe perform during yesterday's civic ceremony organised by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to mark Emancipation Day. It was held at National Heroes Park, Heroes Circle, Kingston. - Junior Dowie
JAMAICANS WERE yesterday urged to embrace the words of late Reggae legend, Robert Nesta Marley to free themselves from mental slavery by putting aside differences and working to improve the nation.
Speaking at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation's (KSAC) civic ceremony at National Heroes Park, Kingston, to mark Emancipation Day, several dignitaries urged Jamaicans not to forget the sacrifices National Heroes made for freedom.
Among those present yesterday and who brought greetings were Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government, Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) deputy leader, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, and Town Clerk Errol Greene.
END THE BRUTALITY
Ms. Grange, who represented Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga, said Jamaicans must listen to Bob Marley's words because this freedom represents "the stage of emancipation which would require us to end the brutality and crime that pervades the society, end the envy, corruption and discrimination, end the mistreatment of our children and our elderly, end our economic stagnation and commit ourselves to working together as one Jamaican people toward the creation of a nation of which we can be proud."
Minister Simpson Miller, who read the Prime Minister's message, added: "Division can only serve to retard our progress and dishonour the contribution made by those men and women who sacrificed their lives to give us our precious freedom."
She said Jamaica was still making moves to replace the monarchial system with a republican system of Government as part of that freedom.
Students, officials and ordinary Jamaicans paid tribute to Jamaica's seven national heroes during the two-hour ceremony. It was held under the theme marking Emancipation Day, 'Reflections on our Past - Our guide to the Future'.
The heroes' life stories and their struggle for freedom were portrayed in citations, in song, dance and by placing bouquets at gravesites and memorials.
