[dropcap]G[/dropcap]one are the days of the passiveness of this Council, we shall not be quiet!” That was the assurance given by Mr. Aaron Alexander, chairperson of the Mobilization Committee in the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR). He spoke on Wednesday at a joint press conference between the Cannabis Movement and the Council.
Chairman of the Cannabis Movement Andre ‘Pancho’ Decaires pointed out that prime ministers Gaston Browne and Ralph Gonsalves have indicated their intent to reform cannabis laws in their respective territories while Saint Lucia remains uncommitted. Decaires announced: “We, in the cannabis movement and the whole Rastafarian community, are asking the honorable prime minister Mr. Allen Chastanet to make a public statement regarding this administration’s intentions regarding the cannabis law reform,” adding, “The cannabis movement is getting mixed signals regarding the intentions of this administration.”
Decaires noted that the reformation of cannabis laws was a campaign promise by the government. He believes the government dropped the ball by not facilitating a visit by the CARICOM Cannabis Commission in September of last year. While the Cannabis Movement awaits a favourable response, ICAR is currently undertaking a mobilization drive.
“Reconciliation, Rastafari Coming Together, For United We Stand” is the theme. Referencing the drive, Mr. Alexander said: “The focus will be geared towards raising the awareness of the organisation and sensitizing members towards the Council, with the ultimate goal of bringing our membership back home.”
Getting the youth on board is a major goal of the organisation. ‘Brother Rock’, chairman of the Elder Council, acknowledged the need for a change in strategy. “We have a little problem with the youth in the Rastafari community,” he said. “Our plan is to create a lot of the things that will interest the youth to bring them in. We need to develop the interest of the youth to make them part of ICAR.”
Mr. Alexander also stated that the education of the youth is vital, as many deaths have been caused by lack of knowledge. “The youth are a major concern for us. Right now, the issue of mixing the herb with other substances is a serious one. We have to put programmes in place to help educate and guide them. They need to know that they should not be mixing their herb with any other substances.”
The mobilization drive begins on Sunday May 27 and concludes in June with a grand rally in Castries on 22nd.
