Marcus Garvey Celebrations 2007
The summer’s most anticipated festival

TORONTO - CANADA.

Theme

"HEALING THE EFFECTS OF SLAVERY."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLACK MOSES CELEBRATED IN TORONTO FESTIVAL

AUGUST 17^TH & 18^TH 2007

Marcus Mosiah Garvey – a.k.a. Black Moses will be celebrated in what is dubbed “The 15^th Annual Marcus Garvey celebration. It will be held for the very first time in the down town area of The City of Toronto. It will be presented by The African Culture Restoration Association (ACRA) in association with Old Town Toronto Alliance (OTTA).

The celebration will be launched on Friday August 17^th at 19 Sackville Street – The Historic Site of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn from 4PM until 9PM. The festivities will continue on Saturday August 18^th at the Pure Spirit Patio, 55 Mill Street, in the Distillery Historic District, from Noon until 10PM. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Healing the effects of Slavery.”

Marcus Garvey Celebration 2007 has been modified to reflect the commemoration of the 200^th Bicentenary of the Abolition of The Slave Trade Act in Ontario. As a result of this modification this year’s celebration will pay homage to the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, as well as Lucie and Thornton Blackburn – the fugitive slave couple that established Ontario’s 1^st Taxicab Company.

Prof Karolyn Smardz Frost - Author of “I’ve got a Home in Glory Land” will speak on the accomplishment of the Blackburns, while Dr. Afua Cooper will provide Historic Facts concerning the inhumane North Atlantic Slave Trade Genocide of African People. Educator Ms. Murphy Browne will address the origin of the infamous Slave Trade Practices, and our experiences in Canadian Slavery.

The President of Ontario Black History Society Ms. Rosemary Sadlier will speak in tribute to Jamaica’s First National Hero – the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey for his unselfish contribution to the upliftment of Africa’s Scattered Black Children. The Consul General of Jamaica Ms. Annie-Marie Button will deliver a message on behalf of her government. The Fairness Commissioner Hon Jean Augustine will speak on August 17^th at The Blackburns Site.

As Canada commemorates the 200^th Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act the celebration is design to address ways in which the teachings of Marcus Garvey can be applied to assist in our quest to heal the effects of Slavery.

Over 40 performers and speakers will grace the stage with music, songs, reflections, and wisdom. Solidarity messages from governments and community leaders will also be printed in our souvenir Program Magazine, of which 20,000 copies will be distributed to Learning Institutions, Business Offices, Community Organizations, Government Offices, and attendees at both days events. Our featured performers hail from as far as Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and Ghana.

Advertisers, Arts & Craft Vendors, and Volunteers are invited

For more information contact: Terry Brown at: (416) 783 – 1792,