The Lambi Coalition of The Bahamas.

Nassau, Bahamas — A national coalition of organizations and political activists has recently been established in The Bahamas in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that brought devastation to the Republic of Haiti on January 12th, 2010.

The Lambi Coalition of The Bahamas was created as an African-led effort to build and nurture Haitian-Bahamian solidarity. “Lambi” is the Creole word for “Conch” and has been chosen given the conch shells’ long standing symbol of resistance for Africans.

In 1791 when enslaved Africans in, what is now Haiti, began the Haitian Revolution and the struggle for their freedom they blew into the conch shell to rally Africans to the Movement. In other parts of the globe, the conch shell has been used similarly by enslaved Africans.

In the short-term, the organization seeks to play a role in providing relief to the victims of the earthquake. Toward this end, Lambi is working along with other organizations to hold a Benefit Concert that has been scheduled for Saturday, March 27th, 2010 at Windsor Park. Canned goods, which will be collected at the gate in lieu of money, will be delivered to reputable grass-roots organizations in Haiti.

Long-term projects involve bridging the gap between the Creole community and the Anglophone community in The Bahamas by facilitating dialogue between these two groups. A Solidarity Forum themed “What Does Haitian- Bahamian Solidarity Mean to You?” has been scheduled for Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 6:30pm at the Orion Academy on East Street. (Next to the Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene)

In addition, Lambi will work to inform the Creole community about immigration regulations in The Bahamas and human rights norms; to remove anti-Haitian prejudices in the wider community; and to push for enhanced customer service and immigration policy reforms at the Department of Immigration including automatic Bahamian citizenship for children born in The Bahamas.

Lambi will also work to educate the wider community about the current political situation in Haiti and will establish ties with grass-roots organizations in Haiti who are working to restore democracy there.

The list of organizations and activists that make up this Coalition include: The Indaba Project, Monique Joseph, Jevon Neely, BlackFood.org, Western Consciousness, Rhonda Wright, Nakia Pearson, Emmanuel Joseph, Julie Charles, SakePaseBahamas.net, Luica Monestime, Noelle Nicolls, Erin Greene, Anku Sa Ra, Geoffroy Houillon, and Aquila North.

Lambi has also united with the United Association of Haitians and Bahamians in The Bahamas.

For further information e-mail info@blackfood.org or call 1-242-326-1003.♦bf