Israel Lovell remembered

Yesterday, The Israel Lovell Foundation and the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration paid respects to the Hon Israel Lovell.

The associations, along with the family of Israel Lovell laying a wreath in his honor, reflected on his contributions to Barbados and those of the Hon Clement Payne and the Revolutionaries of the July 26, 1937 Rebellion in Barbados. The African ceremony took place next to the tombstone of Lovell at the St. George Parish Church, St. George as the day of National Significance in Barbados and the Republic of Cuba was recognised, July 26, 2021.

Chairman of the Pan African Coalition in Barbados, Wayne Onkphra Wells offered remarks on the life of Lovell. There was no death for a man like Israel Lovell, said Wells, as he explained that according to African traditions it was just a transition from one plain to another. However he said that it was the responsibility of those who remain to decide how to celebrate those who have transitioned.

"It is for this reason we are gathered here today, because men who want more for their families, for their communities and nations, are often placed on a cross. Nothing much has changed these days but the least we can do is to honor those who have made that sacrifice." he said.

Wells went on to say that Lovell found futile ground in the teachings of the great Marcus Garvey and because of that was ready to be part of the movement of Clement Payne. He explained that such men stood up for what they believed in and fought for the rights of the people.

"They did not have to die, they did not have to suffer persecution but they made a deliberate, calculated choice. That this is my collective contribution to my country and the humanity of Barbados. As such it is our historical responsibility to honor that sacrifice." said Wells.

The family members present were grandson Nash Lovell, granddaughter Princess Lovell Chandler, distant relative June Belle, General Secretary of Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration David Denny, Trevor Prescod and historian Dr Rodney Worrell.

Nash Lovell spoke on behalf of the family, expressing his thanks to those present for continuing to push and respect the contribution made by his grandfather to Barbados. Lovell stated that he believed in the call for unity being hailed within the Caribbean. He however made the pijntbat many Caribbean people did not know any languages from Africa but could possibly speak Spanish and French and wished that would change.

"As we stand here today and ponder on my grandfather Israel Daniel Lovell, we hope that as we go forth into the future that we would actually embrace the present from Africa, in the Israel Lovell Foundation, the words of the language of our forefathers. So that we can speak together at some stage in the future even if it is those who come after us." he said

Lovell also contended that out of one of the worst actions of humanity, such things as knowledge and strength were born to those who persevered. (AS)