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| History
of The EWF Inc land grant, Ethiopia |
| Preface |
Italy’s blatant
act of aggression against Ethiopia in October 1935 opened
the eyes of all black people in the West.
Ethiopia was regarded as Africa’s only independent
black nation and its destruction would symbolize the
final victory of the white man over the black man.
Black Americans organized dozens of groups designed
to raise both moral and material assistance for the
Ethiopian Government. Black people in the United states
were motivated largely by their racial identification
with the Ethiopians and the longstanding symbolic importance
of that country in the Black American community.
Although the majority of the black community sympathized
with the plight of Ethiopia, there were those who sought
to use the situation to their own benefit. From the
very outbreak of hostilities black embezzlers and racketeers
sought to take advantage of the American sympathy for
the Ethiopian people.
These criminals gave the public impression that they
were collecting funds for Ethiopia’s defence,
but in reality they were lining their own pockets. In
addition, some responsible organizations and individuals
may have engaged in faulty business practices or even
mismanaged funds.
To remedy this situation and more effectively to co-ordinate
the efforts of the organisations in New York, a number
of public- spirited black citizens in Harlem formed
the ‘ Menelik Club’ some time during 1936.
This very small but active group desired to integrate
all the existing Ethiopian Aid Societies into one organization
officially recognized by the Ethiopian authorities.
The Communist Party later infiltrated the Menelik Club,
but the efforts of the Club culminated in the sending
of a black American delegation to England in the summer
of 1936 to confer directly with H.I.M Emperor Haile
Selassie I. The mission consisted of three prominent
Harlem figures, all leaders of the black organization
known as the ‘United Aid for Ethiopia.’
Rev William Lloyd Imes, Pastor of the prestigious St
James Presbyterian Church; Phillip M Savory, Chairman
of Victory Insurance Company and co-owner of the New
York Amsterdam news, and Mr. Cyril M Phillip, Secretary
of the United Aid were the delegates who went to Bath
to entreaty Emperor Haile Selassie I.
H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I cordially received the
delegation at his residence in Bath. During the audience,
the delegation informed H.I.M that large sums of money
had been, and were still being, raised in the United
States by unauthorized persons in the name of Ethiopia.
They stressed the necessity of sending a special emissary
to America to direct the collection of all contributions
and to help awaken flagging Afro-American support for
the Ethiopian cause.
Impressed, Emperor Haile Selassie I decided to dispatch
an envoy to the United States. He selected his personal
physician and nephew Dr Malaku Emanuel Bayen, who established
along with others and with the blessing of, His Imperial
Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, the Constitution of
the Ethiopian World Federation Incorporated on the 25th
day of August 1937.
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History of The EWF Inc LOCAL 111 |
| 1981 –
Present Day |
In early 1981, a
meeting was convened at Brixton Town Hall under the
stewardship of Pepe Judah (Ras Melenik): and other London
based bredrin. The aim was to identify the correct structure
for the unification of Black people and the Rastafari
Movement. After a number of further meetings and the
presentation of the constitution of the Ethiopian World
Federation Inc by Ras Pinto Foxe past president of Local
33 Ladbroke Grove. Our local was established in Birmingham
September 1981 along with branches in Kennington, Tottenham
and Harlesdon, London.
The local in Birmingham established it’s first
headquarters in Muntz St, Community Centre, Small Heath.
Membership rapidly grew to 200+. Unlike other locals,
the Birmingham local membership was of a very young
age ranging from 14-26; of which 79% were under the
age of 21. The members were young when they joined the
EWF in the 1980's and have since academically developed as
professional Teachers, Nurses. Lectures, Nursery Nurses,
Mentors, Caterers and Designers as well as many other
skills. Prior to joining, many
either had rebelled against mainstream education or
had found themselves forced out of parental homes, during
school age. Nevertheless,
through rigorous adherence to its constitutional framework;
members developed excellent parliamentary procedure,
as well as skills in communication, report and minutes writing,
also other secretarial and organisational skills,
including the chairing of meetings.
Members have travelled extensively making contacts with
all continents, meeting and negotiating with representatives
of various organizational and governmental bodies. Many
members have, during this period excelled in educational
and professional development. This document has been
designed to celebrate all the activities and work of
the local over 21 years. We expect many non-members
and other locals will identify with its contents.
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EWF Locations |
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1981 - Present |
| The first
Headquarters and meeting place was established at the
Muntz St Centre, Small Heath 1981. From 1985 to 1987, a
number of venues were used as an office, Anderton Rd,
Kenelm Rd, Westminster Rd and Myrtle Av. From 1987 to
1997, the local was resident at 278 Stratford Road,
Sparkbrook. The Economic Development Unit of the
Birmingham City Council supported and funded overheads
from 1987 -1989. Since 1997, Executive meetings have been
kept at George St and Jakeman Rd Balsall Heath. Business
meetings are continually held at Handsworth Playcentre.
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| The EWF Incorporated
Aims and Objectives |
(a)
To promote love and good will among Ethiopians at home
and abroad and thereby to maintain the integrity and sovereignty
of Ethiopia, to disseminate the ancient Ethiopian culture
among its members, to correct abuses, relieve oppression
and carve for ourselves, and our posterity, a destiny
comparable with our idea of perfect manhood and God’s
purpose in creating us: that we may not only save ourselves
from annihilation, but carve for ourselves a place in
the sun: In this endeavour, we determine to seek peace
and pursue it, for it is will of God for man.
(b) To promote and pursue happiness:
for it is the goal of human life and endeavour.
(c) To usher in the teaching and practice
of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
(d) To promote and stimulate interest
among its members in world affairs, and to cultivate a
spirit of international goodwill and comity.
(e) To promote friendly interest among
its members, to develop a fraternal spirit among them,
and to inculcate in its members the desire to render voluntary
aid and assistance to one another at all times.
(f) To render voluntary aid and protection
to its members without fee or charge for same when in
need. And, if necessary, to provide and care for refugees
and disabled victims of the Italio-Ethiopian War.
(g) To give concrete material and
voluntary aid without fee or charge for the same, to all
such refugees and disabled victims an to raise funds by
voluntary subscription for the purposes aforementioned.
There shall be no charge, fee, beneficiary tax or other
assessment upon the members of the Ethiopian World Federation,
Incorporated, except for dues, provided for in the Constitution
and By-Laws of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated.
(h) To encourage its members to
develop interest and pride in Democratic intuitions and
to promote Democratic principles and ideals.
May God help us to accomplish these aims and ideals
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