51st Anniversary of the Assassination of Patrice Lumumba

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 is the 51st anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba by the United States and Belgium (Belgium apologized in 2002), in cahoots with select Congolese elites. Congolese people and friends of the Congo throughout the globe commemorate Lumumba's assassination each year to bring attention to the Congolese people's pursuit of freedom and liberation in the heart of Africa.

Since the assassination of Lumumba, the foreign multi-national corporations of the 1% profit from the plundering of Congo's abundant mineral resources and are complicit in the super-exploitation of Congolese labor. They are also the underlying engine of the violent conflict in the country. Congolese women have occupied the U.S. Embassy in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, demanding that the United States cease its support of strongmen in Congo and Africa.

This year's commemoration is particularly special because the November 28th elections resulted in the stealing of the vote and the voices of the Congolese people. Congolese throughout the globe have risen up to reclaim the stolen will and voices of the Congolese people. Friends of the Congo, Institute for Policy Studies' Foreign Policy In Focus Project, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Congo Global Action, Washington Peace Center and others are rallying in solidarity with Congolese in their pursuit to reclaim the stolen voices and advance democracy and self-determination in the heart of Africa.

Join us for a day of demonstration, film screening and teach-in on the current crisis in the Congo and how you can join the global movement in support of the sons and daughters of the Congo:

January 17, 2012
Solidarity Rally and Teach-In

Speakers:Nita Evele, Congo Global Action
Clarence Lusane, Associate Professor School of International Service, American University
Carrie Crawford, Chair, Friends of the Congo

Time:4 pm - 6:30 pm - Solidarity Rally at the White House
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Screening of Crisis in the Congo:Uncovering The Truth
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Panel Discussion With Election Observers
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Location: The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
1313 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005
January 17, 2012
New York, NY
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Commemoration of Patrice Emery Lumumba Featuring:Queens native Tobias Truvillion, a celebrated actor, who regularly debuts on the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live", will be the Masters of Ceremonies for this red-carpet event. Acclaimed Poet and Author, Ms. Toni Blackman will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the dynamic series of performances featuring: Hasan Salaam, the Jersey-bred MC who was voted the winner of FUSE TV's "Hip Hop President" contest; The Mahina Movement, a phenomenal 3 women trio who "combine poetry and song to create passionate music straight from the heart; Congolese artist and orator, Isaac Katalay who is a co-founder of CONTEMPTRA - a Congolese dance concept that combines contemporary and traditional Congolese dance moves. Ghanaian Model Afua Boni will bring her magnetic beauty and resplendent presence to the festivities.
Time: 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Venue: Taj Lounge: 48 W. 21 st Street, New York, NY
Tickets: $20 advance / $25 door
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To learn more about this great man, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Lumumba

For more information about the events, call 202-584-6512, email: events@friendsofthecongo.org or visit www.friendsofthecongo.org