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THE BLACKMAN
Issue #22
July 2nd 2005
NEW YORK REFUTES EXPULSION
Defends Golding as Solid Soldier & Loyal Member
On behalf of the A.L. Crawford Memorial Division #404 we hereby submit this in regards to the expulsion of our dear beloved Brother Steven Golding, by the Parent Body. The membership has been notified of this expulsion and presented with the information issued by the Parent Body. It is therefore in earnest that we must express our complete dissatisfaction with the decision reached by the Parent Body and the manner in which this issue has been handled.
At the last General meeting of our New York Division, the officers of Division #404 were instructed by the membership to present our concerns to the Parent Body as well as the Divisional Presidents since the convention is in rising. As we are determined to challenge the decision of the Parent Body, it is our constitutional duty to bring this matter before the convention at its next sitting. Hence we present this information for your attention and consideration.
Our Division of the UNIA-ACL is indebted to Brother Golding for his resilience and guidance in rebuilding the New York Division #404. Without seeking any accolades, he has worked tirelessly to assure that this association and its Founders are not forgotten. The members of this great association should be determined to unite Africans universally without any apologies or excuses. If we are to fulfill that destiny which the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey and our Founders envisioned, we must be rigid, disciplined, and willing to give our lives for what we believe. Brother Golding, like Mr. Garvey, takes every opportunity to help us understand that. As one of our elder members stated after the last General meeting, “Brother Golding is responsible for our Division being where it is today… let us make no mistake about it. He is the spirit of Marcus Garvey reincarnated. We must stand with him. It is our duty!”
Since joining the New York Division #404 in 1999, Brother Golding has championed the cause of the UNIA-ACL. We must make mention of the following:
1. He initiated massive membership drives, which resulted in the Division tripling in size and activity.
2. He organized the development and launch of the Negro World online as well as initiated the publishing of the Division’s newsletter, the Negro Times.
3. He re-established fraternal ties with the African Orthodox Church headquartered in Harlem, New York City, which has become our most productive and secure base of operations.
4. He formulated and launched the Garvey Club, securing a venue for us to hold a weekly social forum from which we pilot our membership, diplomatic, and community outreach programs.
5. He breathed life back in the Division, always coming up with projects and events that excite our membership both old and new. The most successful of these, designed based on our Constitution, includes our Auxiliary Societies uniform program, as well as our annual fund raising Court Reception, and August 31st International Holiday memorial.
6. He formulated the curriculum for our youth division program (Universal African Youth League) which was initiated by the Lady’s Department under the supervision of the Lady Vice President.
7. He reached out to other divisions across the world and strengthened the lines of communications especially between young members which resulted in the formulation and launch of the Meeting of the Minds series which completed its 5th installment this past March.
Given the time, energy and work that we have seen our beloved brother put into this great association, we are concerned that the actions taken against Brother Golding are part of a larger scheme by certain high officers to isolate and amputate certain members of this racial organization, especially when considered in conjunction with the other expulsions issued by the Parent Body at the same time.
We pose the following questions to the Parent Body and the Convention at large in the hopes that we can resolve this issue before the walls of our noble association and league coming crashing down around us:
Why has Brother Golding been expelled? Did the Parent Body contact any of the divisions with which Brother Golding worked closely? Have these divisions had any reservations about him or given any reason to suggest that he should be expelled? Has the Parent Body reviewed the work that this brother has undertaken and taken that into consideration before expelling him for what appears to be absurd reasons? What exactly has Brother Golding been expelled for? The charges are vague and our members do not accept this as adequate reason for expulsion; please elaborate for our members as we can not accept something we do not understand!
If a problem was identified as it apparently was, what disciplinary action was taken prior to an expulsion being issued? Why was a suspension not issued as a first warning in accordance with the Constitution General Laws Article III Section 20 & 23? Again what did he do to warrant such drastic actions?
Why were other members from Division 330 expelled, and what do their charges brought against members of the Parent Body have to do with our beloved brother being expelled? Is the Parent Body expelling these young members in order to silence them? Is the convention and membership of the great association not entitled to hear their case and their grievances? Is the Parent Body trying to cover up something by taking such extreme and drastic actions? Is the Parent Body aware that their actions are unconstitutional?
With the spirit that Brother Golding has instilled in our Division, we are left with no other choice but to throw our full support behind him in this time of contention. We love our brother; we stand by him; and we hope that others will begin to know the truth. Steven loves this organization with all his heart and every breath. He, will never be an enemy to this race and for him to be expelled from the confraternity to which he has given so much is an act of grave injustice of which he is undeserved.
Remember, We have a constitution which is suppose to guide our actions. General Laws Article III Section 55 states, “Each member of a division or society shall, by right of membership, question the action of any officer or officers as a whole doing anything contrary to the constitution and general laws of the UNIA-ACL”. Follow always this great law and let the sky and God be our limit. You have heard our grievance. We look forward to your timely response.
We Remain to Serve,
Prof. Alfred Rowe "Tutu", 1st APG UNIA-ACL
President of the New York Division &
The Executive Officers of the A.L. Crawford Memorial Division #404
New York, U.S.A.
THE BLACKMAN Vol.2

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