SHASHAMENE, ETHIOPIA: The Promised Land

No where is this more the case than among a community of Rastafarians, who have settled in the small southern Ethiopian town of Shashamene. The Rastafarians, who are mainly from Jamaica, started migrating to Ethiopia 38 years ago, when Haile Selassie, whom they consider to be God incarnate, gave them 500 hectares of land on which to settle.

Since the first 12 Jamaican settlers in 1963, the community has grown to over 200 families. Many Rastafarian eldesr from around the world believes western countries should help repatriate all those who might wish to return to their native land, but do not have the means to do so. You can support all you want for an entire year at only a cost of 80.00 per student for books, materials and meals!

RECLAIM PINNACLE, ST. CATHERINE, JAMAICA:

THE HISTORIC HOME OF LEONARD P. HOWELL AND THOUSANDS OF RASTAFARI PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.

Pinnacle is located in Sligoville, St. Catherine, Jamaica. It consists of over 500 acres of land, (part of which over looks Kingston/St. Andrew). In the late 1930's Howell took over ownership/occupancy from previous owner Mr. Albert Chang, who he had to pay in CASH, in order to occupy the same. Howell was financially resourceful and independent. He ddin't use money for personal fulfillment but instead he led a humble life in Pinnacle committed to his race.

During the late 1930's when the famous "uprising" took place in St. Thomas, Jamaica, many ex-slaves went suffering racism, oppression, inadequate living conditions and hunger. Pinnacle became the safe-haven for thousands of blacks who desired to live and work communally in Unity. Under Howell's leadership, Pinnacle was transformed into one of the largest self-reliant/economically empowered communities in Jamaica. Several farmers lived and worked in Pinnacle, producing a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, yams, banana, cassava, corn, coconut and many other products. Ganja, a culture adapted from East Indians (River Ganges) was grown mainly for spiritual meditation, worshiping and medicine.

The Rastafarian at Pinnacle, built a food storage for what was called, "preparing for the tough days". Many skilled craftsmen and women, nurses and other professionals shared their faith and lived there under the motto, "One God, One Aim and One Destiny". Between 1941 and 1957, Pinnacle was raided several times. Each time the authorities would take away cash money banked in the community that added to thousands of dollars under the claim that it was money earned from selling Ganja. Howell detested the exploitation of the Herb "Ganja" and he was reputed for walking the streets of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and other parishes giving money to the poor and children. He didn't give-in to the harassment, beatings, numerous arrests and incarcerations. He went back to live in Pinnacle upon his release from prison.

During the last raid on Pinnacle, the police burned to the ground homes belonging to thousands of Rastafarians. Included in the fire were furnishings, personal items and clothing. Having no place to live and their leader in jail, most Rastafarians relocated throughout Kingston, St. Catherine, Clarendon and St. Thomas. That was the beginning of the Rastafari dispersion and relocation in groups of churches and mansions.

In the 1970's, a small flock of Rastafarian elders took refuge in Tredegar Park, St. Catherine continued to support the teachings of Howell until his death in 1981. Until today, the Rastafarian of Pinnacle were never, compensated for their loss of property, homes, lives and humiliation suffered. It is said that Howell had been arrested, incarcerated and was sent to Jamaica's Mental Institution over (50) fifty times. At one meeting, Howell was noted as having said that Mr. Neville N. Ashenheim, a prominent Lawyer of Jewish background, argued for the Bill of Rights in terms of protecting property rights and that property could not be confiscated without adequate compenstation. "At Emancipation the planter were adequately compensated for "freeing" the slaves, but I, Leonard Howell was never compensated for Pinnacle and the crimes committed against me and the Rastafarian people."

During the 1980's, the Jamaican government sold off most of this land at Pinnacle to foreign and private investors. Pinnacle is now sub-divided and being sold off by "The St. Jago Hills Development, Ltd." located at 20 Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. The have got hold of Pinnacle Estates, St. Catehrine (the first Rastafarian Free Slave Community) and they are selling/sub-dividing the land (over 500 acres). Last November 2006, The Leonard P. Howell Foundation and other personnel (collective) had a meeting with the then Prime Minister - Portia Simpson to help restore Pinnacle and make it a Rastafari Cultural Center. In addition, last June 2007, Howell Earth-day celebration was held at Pinnacle.

The developers (Ms. Lois Sherwood and her brother-directors of St. Jago Hills) are now suing "The Rastafarian Nation, 1st Order of Nyahbinghi Theocracy, Leonard P. Howell Foundation, Ras Lion and Ras Howie for possession of the Pinnacle site and land.

The Law firm of "Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeona and Co." is having a hearing on November 27, 2007 in the Magistrate's Court in Spanish Town. We have retained a Rastafari/brother and friend Mr. Everton Bird, an attorney at law to represent the L.P.H. Foundation, and Mr. Barrington Frankson to represent the Rastafari Nation. We would like for all who read this document to lend your support by calling or emailing the Prime Minister's Office.

Please call Prime Minister Bruce Golding at (876) 927-9941-3 or Fax him at (876) 929-0005 with all due urgency. His address is:

The Prime Minister of Jamaica

The Hon. Orette Bruce Golding

Jamaica House

Kingston 6, Kingston

Jamaica, W.I.

The Cabinet link is www.cabinet.gov.jm. The Cabinet Secretaryis Dr. The Honorable Carlton Davis, OJ, CD. His telephone numbers and faxes are the same as the Prime Minister.

However, Dr. Davis' email address is caboff-ced@cwjamaica.com. The next court date is Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at the Spanish Town Court.

Also, most importantly, please SIGN THE PETITION, calling for the return of Pinnacle to the Rastafari Nation. One God, One Aim, One Destiny.

Sis. Catherine Howell,

Daughter

Leonard Percival Howell