Jah man, we have rights

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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS & VIDEO - About 30 Rastafarians participated in a peaceful march to the Graaff-Reinet Magistrate's Court on Monday morning, as part of a nation-wide protest for Rastafarian rights in South Africa.

"We are not involved in discussions, police are violent towards us; we want respect as human beings," Moses Elias, who led the local march, told the Advertiser.

During the legal protest, he was joined by fellow Rastafarians from Aberdeen, Willowmore, Middelburg, Cradock and Graaff-Reinet.

Photo gallery: Peaceful protest by Rastafarians

The marchers, supported by Adwa Movement and other associated Rastafarian-centred organisations, delivered a memorandum addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to the court. In the letter, they demand an investigation into the death of Rastafarian Jan de Bruin from Wellington, who was allegedly killed by police officers following a drug raid in December last year.

"Rastas are being bullied because we are easy targets - we are peaceful people," said Elias.

Moses Elias, who led the local march. Photo: Paula-Ann Smit

Their demands include the consultation of Rastafarian communities for the draft of a Rastafarian cannabis bill; action taken against the harassment and brutality of Rastafarians; and for Rastafarians to benefit from land redistribution.

They also demand an end to discrimination against Rastafarians as working professionals, as well as against dreadlocks in schools.

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Lastly, they want an investigation into Rastafarians currently jailed for cannabis use.

"Many promises have been made to us by government, yet our rights are still violated, and we are arrested for sacramental use of cannabis," the memorandum concluded. "We are pushed into the margins of society."

The Graaff-Reinet police were present during the march, and traffic was diverted.

One of the Rastafarian protesters marching along Church Street.