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NJAC's Tribute to Leroy Noel

Trevor Nicholas makes a presentation to Yvonne John, the daughter of the late Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel
Trevor Nicholas makes a presentation to Yvonne John, the daughter
of the late Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel

TriniView.com Reporters
Event Date: August 26, 2007
Posted: September 15, 2007


The National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) recently held an Emancipation Rally in tribute to the late Laventille stalwart, Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel. Friends and family gathered August 26, 2007, at the TIWU Hall in Laventille to remember and pay their respects. Present at the event was Leroy's wife, Theresa Noel; Yvonne 'Banda' John and Osawai John, the daughter and grand-daughter of the late Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel.

The John Street African Drummers started the show with a scintillating drum performance that had the audience asking for more. They were followed by the dynamic Reflex Dancers consisting of four young sisters Abena, Alsha, Venola and Daniella. Trained by their father Vernon Baptiste, they danced and limboed under consecutively lower rungs of the horizontal bar drawing rapturous applause from the audience. Laventille Rhythm Section continued the tribute to Leroy Noel in rhythm as the audience gathered around. Laventillean Panside, Unistars, also continued the musical tribute to Leroy Noel with a round of sweet Pan music.

The late Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel 
 
 
Who was Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel? To those unfamiliar with him, the answer to this question became clearer as the evening progressed. Leroy Noel was an ordinary Laventillian, who had a vision for his community and country that he worked hard to achieve. He was a farmer, a taxi driver, electrician and a skilled mechanic who especially had a deep love for the people of the Laventille community in which he resided. As an activist, he was deeply involved in the 1970 Black Power revolt as an NJAC member and is even credited by Makandal Daaga for having saved his life during that period.

Further details about Leroy were revealed by the plaques that were presented to his aunt and daughter that read,
"The people of Laventille and the National Joint Action Committee say thanks to Leroy 'Stammerer' Noel, sportsman, village mechanic, agriculturalist, health and social worker, economic organizer, teacher, motivator, peacemaker, counselor, husband, father, political activist, agitator and foundation member of the National Joint Action Committee for his great and outstanding contribution to Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, and most of all for his role as initiator and for his undying support for all matters in and about Laventille."
Trevor Nicholas, a close friend of Leroy, shared Leroy's vision for the people that had manifested in the initiation of several projects aimed primarily for the people of Laventille. It was Leroy's idea to convert the old Rum Bond into the Laventille Technology Center. Trevor expressed that Leroy also submitted comprehensive agricultural proposals to successive government regimes. These projects he said were for youths to be able to find themselves. Trevor shared that Leroy may have seemed like a simple man but he was a man of worth: an educator, a leader and a liberator.

Interviewing relatives of the late Leroy Noel
Interviewing relatives of the late Leroy Noel

Princess Smart shared her memories of Leroy Noel, saying that he believed that communities and villages should be self-sufficient and as such, had proposed that lands should be developed for agricultural purposes, a dream that was not realized before his passing away. She urged the audience not to let his dream die.

Also paying tribute to Leroy was Michael Green, Oba Kiteme, Norris Pascall, Kwasi Mutema, Wilfred Farrel, Terrance Registe and John Dyer.

Poet Garvin Stewart shared his work titled "Diaspora" as well as another poem on reparations with the audience in tribute to Leroy Noel. In the prelude to the reparations poem Stewart expressed that the African continent was ravaged, its borders demarcated and territories taken away by colonial powers which plundered African territories for centuries; fattening themselves, enriching themselves and becoming industrialized. After this fiery introduction, Stewart's brilliant poetry outlined how major European countries were built on the slave trade, making a case for reparations for the atrocity of European colonialism.

Talented young Calypsonian eight year old Necoda Francis thrilled the audience with her Calypso "My Song of Freedom" earning an encore from the appreciative audience. Another young Calypsonian, Aneka Audain was also impressive with her offering. Also performing was Jervae Caesar with "Pioneers of Emancipation" and Singing Sonia with "Ah Not Singing That".

Kwasi Mutema and Chief Servant of NJAC Makandal Daaga 
Kwasi Mutema and Chief Servant of NJAC Makandal Daaga

 
NJAC Makandal Daaga also graced the stage to pay tribute to Leroy Noel. He announced that NJAC is going to establish the first University for young Black people in Laventille where they are going to have twelve scholarships in the name of Leroy Noel, especially as Leroy was a believer in education. He expressed that Leroy Noel was a man of the people and whose passing was a great loss. Daaga remarked that although he made mistakes in his life, he was a kind and loving man who lived and died for the people of Laventille.

Young Creole then performed "Behind the Bridge"; a song that expressed the experiences, struggles and aspirations of people who reside behind the bridge. Poet, Lasana Kwesi, shared with the audience one of Leroy's favourite poems titled "Afraid to Fight".

Calypsonian Dee Diamond shared his Pan-spiced song "Lost Talent" while Calypsonian Will B, despite some technical difficulties, was able to sing his song "Only We". Creole returned to the stage to do a dramatic rendition of "Slave" for which he earned a thundering applause and an encore from the audience.

Veteran Calypsonian and eight time National Calypso Monarch Hollis 'Chalkdust' Liverpool expressed in song that he wants to see more history about Calypso, Bongo and Parang, as well as local legends. He proceeded to sing "They Can't See Africa At All" to thunderous applause and cheers from the audience. He explained in song how people can easily recognize various influence such as Spanish, French, English and German but that they can't see African influences in things at all.

Another veteran, 'Funny', was his characteristic entertaining self with his rendition of "Sweet Trinidad", the first Calypso he ever sung in a tent, forty-one years ago. Former Calypso Monarch 'Delamo' and 'Explainer' also entertained the audience with their renditions.

What was especially significant about this event is that the contributions of ordinary people to the development of Trinidad and Tobago often go by unnoticed, but through this event, even those who were not familiar with him were exposed to elements of his life story from which they could draw inspiration. Kudos to the organizers for making the time and effort to honour and remember Leroy Noel.

NJAC Emancipation Rally 2007 in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=205212



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