ALD Celebration in Washington DC Kicks Off!
By Yero G. Jallow, Gainako news, Washington DC.
The common annual African Liberation Day celebration in Washington DC commenced on Friday May 28th 2010. Diaspora Africans, mostly those residing in the United States of America headed in their numbers to the US State Capital, Washington DC to commemorate the African Liberation Day, famously known as ALD. The day according to historians and pan-africanists marks and symbolizes the liberation of African countries from colonial rule, a sort of replacement of leadership from colonial masters to the particular countries’ indigents. (http://www.gainako.com/news/news/2010/05/26/gambian-american-association-in-maryland-host-2010-african-liberation-day-may-28-–-30-2010.html )
The commencement started with a grand cultural night echoing “Sabar” and “Tamar” (traditional drums), which started shortly before midnight running through the night till dawn. African men and women dressed in traditional attires danced in fashions with special entertainers like Pap Mbai and Mam Tamsir Ngum who constantly warmed up the crowd.
The cultural night dance was well attended and described by many as very successful - a promotion of our long cultural heritage that goes a long way complementing our independence and self reliance.
In joint conjunction, members of the Gambia Press Union-USA branch are in full attendance and rallying Africans at a great symposium to be held on today Saturday May 29th 2010 with diverse panelists of different backgrounds.
According to Mr. Baldeh the event is organized by GPU-USA and Gambia American Association. In his own words, Baldeh said “I am expecting a mature dialogue. The event is designed to attract various groups across the Gambian community to discuss important issues pertaining to our nation. I believe that such an intellectual forum can go a long way to diffuse some of our differences particularly those online. If most of us were to meet face to face and discuss issues, we will have nothing but respect for one another.”
When Mr. Baldeh was quizzed further about the expected panelists and the symposium’s theme, he said “The group includes Gambia authors, lawyers, activists and independent citizens. Among the themes includes the role of the media, survival of journalists, Arizona immigration law and how it affects Gambian immigrants.”
Over the years, most African countries claimed independence from colonial rule, but it remained questionable the level of freedom achieved because despite the absence of the colonists’ chains, Africans still remain trapped and hijacked by their own sons and daughters who cling their tentacles to power at the mercy of oppression on the populace. While we are here to celebrate our freedom –Liberation of Africans, it is worth reminding all and sundry that the struggle of liberation is not over yet.
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