[IPSM] UCTP Stands in Solidarity with the Kalinago, Carib, and Garifuna Nations

[Roberto Borrero]

UCTP Stands in Solidarity with the Kalinago, Carib,
and Garifuna Nations

Taino'ti Guaitiao (Greetings relatives):

On behalf of the Taíno People and Nation represented
by the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), we
are urging all our relations around the world to
stand in solidarity with a peaceful protest against
Walt Disney Pictures and their upcoming release of
"The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" for
its erroneous depiction of Caribbean Indigenous
Peoples as savage cannibals.

>From the time Christopher Columbus arrived on our
shores, it is well known that these "cannibal" images
were used as propaganda to enslave and murder Natives
Peoples throughout the hemisphere, and beyond.

Therefore, We, the Taino People have united our voices
with our Kalinago, Carib, and Garinagu relatives to
bring attention to this injustice, racist portrayal of
Indigenous Peoples.

With our future generations in our minds and hearts,
we urge all our relations to BOYCOTT THIS FILM AND ALL
DISNEY PRODUCTS until this company recognizes the
injustice and the multi-generational trauma this type
of imagery has and continues to inflict upon on our
communities, especially our youth.

All people of good conscience should be appalled at
these denigrating, stereotypical portrayals attempting
to be disguised by DISNEY as humor and entertainment.

In advance, we say Bo'matum (thank you) for your
support.

In the Spirit of our Ancestors,
Roberto Múcaro Borrero,
President and Chairman,
UCTP Regional Coordinating Office

Naniki Reyes Ocasio
Founder, Caney Quinto Mundo,
Boriken (Puerto Rico)

Elba Anaca Lugo,
President, Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos,
Boriken (Puerto Rico)

Don Cesar Serraty,
Fundacion Luz Cosmica Taino,
Quiskeya (Dominican Republic)

Chief Reginaldo Fredericks,
Joboshirima Lokono Arawak Community
Estado Bolivar, Venezuela

*Please review the UCTP Resolution 04/17/05:
"Reaffirming Our Solidarity with Our Carib Relatives"
at 
http://uctp.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_uctp_archive.html

----------------------------------------------------

Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United
Press Release

Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United organizes
a protest against the World Premiere of Walt Disney
Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest.

Long Beach, California – Tuesday, June 20 2006:
GAHFU's President and Founder Ms. Cheryl Noralez
announced that on Saturday, June 24 2006 between the
hours of 2:00 to 4:00 pm, her organization along with
a
group of concerned Garifuna leaders in the Los Angeles
area will be protesting the premiere of Disney
Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man's Chest
at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

GAHFU, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Long
Beach, California. Our purpose is to preserve the
uniqueness of the Garifuna culture, history, language,
music, arts & crafts and values by working closely
with the Garifuna community not only in Los
Angeles County, but throughout the world. We seek to
enhance and showcase the image and vision of the
Garifuna people through education, music and the arts.

"It has been brought to our attention that the Walt
Disney Company intends to film a movie called "The
Pirates of the Caribbean" in which the Caribs or
Calinago, the ancestors of the Garinagu (as we
refer to ourselves in our language) are portrayed as
cannibals."

These are words from Michael Polonio, President, of
the National Garifuna Council of Belize.

We believe that not only the Garifuna people have been
wrongfully portrayed in the movie as cannibals but
also other indigenous people of the Caribbean who are
closely related to us as in the case of the
Taino people; therefore, we have invited the Taino
community in Los Angeles to participate and they have
promptly accepted the invitation to stand united with
the Garinagu.

We are inviting all of the indigenous people of the
Caribbean to join us in this protest. The meeting
place to protest will be at Harbor Blvd.'s front
entrance of Disneyland in Anaheim, California starting
at 1:30 pm. We strongly urge participants not to bring
sticks, drums, shakers or anything that could be used
as a weapon to the event. Also, teenagers are
encouraged to come with their parents to join us for
this peaceful protest.

"Eibugaba lidan ligemeri Inaruni - Walk in the light
of truth "- James Lovell

Cheryl L. Noralez, President & Founder
GARIFUNA AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION UNITED
cnoralez at garifunaheritagefoundation.org

___________________________________________

To: The Garifuna Nation

This is the time and place for the Garifuna Nation to
stand together for a peaceful protest against Walt
Disney Pictures. The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead
Man's Chest portrays our Ancestors as savage
cannibals. Our united voices must be heard to restore
the honor, dignity and pride of our people. We have
only one week to organize a protest. Please contact me
via e-mail or call (562)366-9396 if you are serious
about joining this protest. This is a very important
cause. I truly hope that we can get at least a handful
of courageous and proud Garinagu to participate in
this protest, especially our Garifuna leaders.

http://cacreview.blogspot.com/2006/06/boycott-disney-pirates-of-caribbean.html

http://www.seinebight.com/Disney-Garinagu.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2005/02/050215_dominicacaribs.shtml

View trailer of Pirates' of Caribbean Dead Man's
Chest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btVFBSkOo68&search=pirates%20of%20the%
20caribbean%20dead%20man%27s%20chest

----------------------------------------

PROTEST

What: World Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures', Pirates
of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

When: Saturday, June 24, 2006

Where: Disneyland - 1313 South Harbor Blvd. Anaheim,
CA 28027
(in front of Disneyland main entrance on Harbor Blvd.)

Time: 2:00-5:00 PM

GARIFUNA AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION UNITED

Cheryl Noralez, CEO and Founder
cnoralez at garifunaheritagefoundation.org

__________________________________________________
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