While the usual fanfare was in place for Queen Elizabeth’s visit, there was one group with something else on their minds. Representatives from the Rastafarian community gathered in protest to demand the Queen's help in getting home to the motherland of Africa.

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002

Royal welcome

-Queen Elizabeth II arrives

-Rastas demand repatriation

Leonardo Blair and Patricia Watson: Staff Reporters

CLAD IN a soft peach-coloured suit and matching hat, Queen Elizabeth II, arrived at the Norman Manley Airport yesterday on her sixth visit to the island as a 21-gun salute boomed from the cannon reserved for the heads of state.

In this her Jubilee year, the 75-year-old monarch is on the first leg of 15 days of travel that will see her visiting Jamaica, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, all former colonies of Britain. The Queen’s last visit to Jamaica was in 1994.

As she made her way down the steps of the aircraft, the Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, was greeted by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke, then Prime Minister P.J Patterson.

After the Jamaican National Anthem was played, the Queen, escorted by Major General John Simmonds, inspected the 100-member strong Jamaica Defence Force honour guard dressed in their scarlet uniforms, while the Jamaica Constabulary Force band played a medley of tunes.

She was later introduced to scores of public officials, including Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and his wife Carla, and other members of parliament.

As the official ceremony took place on the airport tarmac, scores of Jamaicans who had gathered on the waving gallery squinted against the glare of the afternoon sun as they tried to catch a glimpse of the Jamaican head of state.

“She take too long to visit. She should come every five years, things would be better here in Jamaica,” a woman, who gave her name as Sharon, said.

A group of white-robed and turbaned Rastafarians holding banners appealed for the Queen to free her captives before she steps down as head of the Commonwealth group of nations.

“The time has come for the black nation of people to go home” and “Africa for Africans, us at home and those abroad, black man and black woman need repatriation now,” some said.

The 40 Rastafarians, all of the Ethiopian African Black International Congress True Divine Church of Salvation, claimed the British monarchy was responsible for the current plight of black people.

“Our main objective is repatriation, we want to go to the better land”, Jesus Emannuel Edwards said.

He said they want the Queen to persuade the Government to help them relocate to Africa, and get compensation for slavery.

The Rastafarians, who started their protest several hours before the Queen’s arrival, held placards with messages such as 'Emancipation means repatriation, we demand 7, 9 or 13 miles of High Water ship for transport to Africa, now'. Another placard read: 'Regina Kaiser, you are no longer a Queen over I people. Daughter of George Kaiser, let I people go.'

'Repatriation now. Oh Elizabeth Queen of the German Nation, How long shall you hold I nation in captive. Rev. 17:2'.

They beat their drums and chanted, 'we want to go home', while they were watched closely by the police.

Soon after the Queen zipped pass in the official vehicle, they started packing up. Still peaceful and hopeful.

"We are gonna be following her up for the next three days until she hear us," said Priest Mitchell. They all piled up in a small coaster bus and drove off to the National Heroes Circle.

Elsewhere along the route into Kingston for a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Heroes Park, schoolchildren gathered along the roadway waving small replicas of the Jamaica flag.

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