Community News
Dr. Julius Garvey honours his father’s legacy during Emancipation Month 2023
BY PAUL JUNOR
Dr. Julius Garvey has been a regular visitor and speaker in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area over the years. As the son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, he is well known. He was invited to Toronto to celebrate Emancipation Month with the African – Canadian community. There were several organizations that came together to sponsor Dr. Julius Garvey which include: The Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, African Caribbean Farmer’s Market, Global African Communities Network and the Toronto Public Library.
The Black Liberation Flag was raised at a ceremony, which was held at Toronto City Hall to signal the start of Emancipation Month. The pan-African colours of red, black and green were prominently displayed not just in Toronto, but in: Toronto, Etobicoke, East York, and Scarborough.
Kemba Byam, Manager of the city’s “Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit,” hosted the event. “Emancipation Day and Emancipation Month is a celebration acknowledging the legal decision that enabled many of our ancestors and the people you see here today to live a life of liberty in a way that many of our ancestors could not. We embrace that journey and remember the sacrifice of our ancestors.”
Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto addressed the crowd. “In raising the Black Liberation Flag today, a flag that symbolizes struggle, courage, resilience, freedom and most importantly hope, we take a moment to remember the journey we’ve traversed together and look forward to the path that lies ahead. We need to create a city where equality, justice and respect are not just ideals, but lived reality for everyone in this city.”
Dr. Garvey mentioned that the flag was given to the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Harlem in 1920. “The red (represents) the blood that was shed and the sacrifice so that we could be here; the black represents us as a people, and I just want to insert one of my father’s quotes, which I like, and it’s that the ‘black skin is not a badge of shame, rather it is a symbol of our national greatness,’ and the green has to do with wealth.” He emphasizes that knowing who you are is key to fighting anti-Black racism.
Szimbah Hanley, a member of the Global African Communities states, “The time for us to resurrect our Global African civilization is now. Dr. Julius Garvey’s Emancipation Month’s visit to the city of Toronto this August highlights our commitment to put the philosophy and principles of Marcus Garvey into a sustainable and economically viable social practice.”
On Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, there was a private dinner to honour Dr. Garvey held at ScottHill Caribbean Cuisine restaurant located at 1943 Avenue Road in Toronto. The special guest of honour was Mr. Deham Dolly.
On Friday, August 4th, 2023, there was a special Emancipation Event held at Mel Lastman Square located at the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street. There were musical performances and discussions in the Concourse Event Space in the North York Central Library.
On Sunday, August 5th, there was an Interfaith Community Town Hall Meeting at the Brampton City Hall located in downtown Brampton. The theme of the event was, “Working together to alleviate poverty within our Black community.” Before the town hall, the UNIA flag was raised in front of city hall. The townhall was moderated by Sharon Wickham who asked the panelists which consisted of Szimbah, Dr. Juluis Garvey and his grandson Chase several questions as she invited members of the audience to post questions or make comments when necessary.
On Monday, August 6th, Dr. Garvey raised the: red, black, and green, Black Liberation flag before the annual Jambana event held at Gage Park in downtown Brampton.