Queen Elizabeth II made a special visit to Jamaica as part of her Jubilee celebrations, marking her sixth trip to the island. The historic occasion was met with a grand welcome, including a 21-gun salute and an official reception by government leaders. During her visit, she engaged in ceremonial events and met with dignitaries, while crowds gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the monarch. 

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002 

Royal welcome

Queen Elizabeth II arrives
Rastas demand repatriation help

By Leonardo Blair and Patricia Watson: Staff Reporters

Clad in a soft peach-coloured suit and matching hat, Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Norman Manley Airport yesterday on her sixth visit to the island, as a 21-gun salute boomed from the cannon reserved for 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 take her to 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 from the aircraft, the queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was greeted by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke, followed by 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, along with other Members of Parliament.
As the official ceremony took place on the airport tarmac, scores of Jamaicans gathered on the waving gallery, squinting against the glare of the afternoon sun as they tried to catch a glimpse of the Jamaican head of state.

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

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 chanted.

The 40 Rastafarians, all members 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,” said Jesus Emmanuel Edwards.
He stated that they want the queen to persuade the Government to help them relocate to Africa and secure compensation for slavery.

The Rastafarians, who began 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 being closely watched by the police.

Soon after, the Queen zipped past in the official vehicle, and the protestors started packing up — still peaceful and hopeful.

“We are gonna be following her up for the next three days until she hears us,” said Priest Mitchell. The group then piled into a small coaster bus and drove off to 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 Jamaican flag.
 

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