On August 16, 2024, the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR) received a $EC20,000 donation from Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre on behalf of Saint Lucia’s government and people. The finds will support events honoring Marcus Garvey’s legacy.
ICAR President Aaron Alexander accepted the contribution. Prime Minister Pierre praised ICAR’s efforts to preserve the nation’s history and urged young St. Lucians to study Garvey’s life, emphasizing the relevance of his teachings today.
“We’re proud to support Marcus Garvey’s birthday observance,” Pierre said during the brief handover.
Alexander expressed gratitude, commending the Prime Minister’s awareness of black and African History. He stressed the importance of telling “our story” and educating future generations about the struggles of their ancestors.
ICAR’s Marcus Garvey commemorations include a market day, a march and rally, and a grand concert on August 31 at the Vigie Sports Complex. Alexander noted that these activities aim to elevate awareness and ensure that Garvey’s teachings are integrated into the broader education system.
Born on August 17, 1887, in Jamaica, Marcus Garvey was a prominent leader in the Black Nationalist movement and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). His teachings on black self-empowerment influenced the Rastafarian movement.
