Marching for Zimbabwe Outside the United Nations

By Jeffery Kazembe Batts
IG: @kazbatts

Now is the annual time of the year when most nations & peoples of the world {Palestinian officials are barred this year) send representation to NYC to attend the United Nations General Assembly. An appropriate time for African leaders in NYC and the USA to practice pan-African unity by enthusiastically standing with those nations where relations have previously established over the years.

Zimbabwe is a great example. Around noon on Saturday, September 25 an annual solidarity rally / demo took place on the East side of mid-town Manhattan. Facilitated by December 12th Movement, led by Bro. Omowale & Sista Collette, organizational leaders, dozens of veteran activists, along with a new generation of younger men and women, held a rally / demo in solidarity with the south-east Africa nation of Zimbabwe.

The location of the noon rally / demo, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, is a familiar area to many of the participants in the Pro-Zimbabwe rally. All types of rallies have been held at Dag Plaza. Although it was not a huge turnout in numbers, observing the gathering, quality seems to overwhelm quantity. The younger generation of activists, many who are members of D12, joined with long serving veterans of the movement, totaling about fifty people.

They marched around in a large circle to show solidarity with Zimbabwe and to call for an end to the long-time trade sanctions by the U.S. government against Zimbabwe. Holding the portable speaker Bro. Omowale walked up and down the circle urging folks to make some noise. Among the chants were “Whose land, our land. Whose fight, our fight.” And “It’s a human right, to stand and fight”.

Red, black, green flags were waving in most marchers’ hands and large RBG and Zimbabwe flags made the backdrop of the speaking area. Almost everyone had a flag, but the December 12th Movement made sure EVERYONE got a T-shirt and cap. The attire of the marchers was black with the yellow wording “ZIMBABWE”.

The structure of the rally including a variety of allied organizations, up-to-date info shared by the speakers, the pre-planning set, the breakdown of equipment and dispersion of the people at the end all added up to an efficient and successful gathering.

The distribution of promotional clothing, put on a visual display the consistency of D12 led support for ZANU-PF and Zimbabwe during the rally. Going forward the demonstrators can wear the hat or t-shirt and more easily promote the cause of justice for Zimbabwe from Sanctions and the need for more engagement between American Africans and Zimbabweans.

After an hour of enthusiastic marching, the participants gathered to hear speakers. Introduced by Sis. Collette, the first to speak was UNIA 1st Deputy Vice President Raymond Dugue who appropriately opened with his popular saying “Greetttiiinnngggsss AFRICANS”. Raymond emphasized the importance of the name Zimbabwe over Rhodesia.

Another leader Jason Corley of Cuba Si NY / NJ Coalition updated on the similar issue of long-time trade sanctions against Cuba. Soon Chairman ZANU-PF Canada Regis Vusango Charumbira shared that there are rumblings about the possibility of the Trump administration loosening sanctions. Not convinced, Charumbira then urged the protesters to keep up the pressure until sanctions are gone. Or as D12 co-founder Viola Plummer would say “finish the gig”.

Sanctions against Zimbabwe by the USA go way back to 2001, when George W. Bush was president and he signed the misnamed “Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA)”. ZANU-PF USA Chairperson Cde, Dr. Changamie Zvada expressed profound thankfulness to all gathered and especially the December 12th Movement for organizing the rally and for consistent support over many years.

Marcher Sis. Santina was clear on why she was at the Zimbabwe rally / demo “One blood, one family, one God” she explained. Bro. Damarc said “the U.S. knows that we are gonna fight until Zimbabwe gets its sovereignty, now and forever” and fellow D12 member Bro. Christian added why he was present “I stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, I respect their revolutionary practice, them combating imperialism and colonialism and it’s our responsibility to have some level of solidarity with them”.

Sis Pam’s shared her purpose “to unite with all the people who are saying NO Rhodesia, No Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, one people, one fight, to tear this ‘motha sucka’ down”. After the speeches everyone returned to chanting and flag waving as the circle of protest returned. This time with Zimbabwean music blaring and people dancing to the beat in a joyous conclusion to an afternoon of focused pan-African protest and support.

Traveling to Zimbabwe to get firsthand information, presenting the head of state and other diplomats to the community, standing with Zimbabwe both inside and outside the United Nations. A founding member of the D12, Coltrane Chimeranga, had his hero’s funeral in Zimbabwe. The December 12th Movement has earned the right to lead this aspect of pan-African unity because it is one of a few Black-led organizations that have observer status at the United Nations.

The December 12th Movement has focused on this southern African, SADC member, non-AFRICOM hosting nation for development and partnership. Not many pedestrians walked by the rally but nonetheless it was impactful for the continued building of pan-African unity. Attendees were pleased. Relationships were cemented, ideas suggested, next steps discussed. Sanctions may or may not be going.

The Trump administration could be bluffing. This past September 20th Zimbabwe was on the mind of leaders, influencers, movers & shakers in the NYC metro area pan-African community, recognized the people of Zimbabwe’s struggle for sovereignty and freedom from sanctions by marching to let it be known to the world as the General Assembly convenes.