In a long-awaited act of restitution, the Jamaican government has formally transferred land titles to the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society (RCGBS), more than six decades after the infamous 1963 Coral Gardens incident in St. James.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang handed over the titles on Good Friday during the annual Commemorative Anniversary of the Coral Gardens Atrocity Against Rastafari, held on the very plots of land now being returned. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange was also present for the occasion.
The titles for Lots 84A and 84B grant the RCGBS full legal ownership of the property, giving the community the right to occupy, manage, and develop the land according to their own needs. Dr. Chang described the space as intended to serve as a structured sanctuary for Rastafari elders, designed around the community’s cultural and social requirements.
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Chang — who also serves as Member of Parliament for St. James North Western — said the handover is about building on history rather than erasing it. He credited RCGBS members Lewis Brown (Ras Brown) and Pamela Rowe-Williams (Sistha Nanny) for their years of persistent advocacy and organisational drive that helped bring the process to fruition. He also acknowledged the National Land Agency, led by CEO and Commissioner of Lands Cheriese Walcott, for ensuring the legal transfer was properly completed.
Minister Grange described the occasion as a major milestone in a journey that began in 2017, when Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a formal state apology and committed to a programme of reparations for the Rastafari community. She noted that more than $130 million has already been paid into the RCGBS Trust Fund for survivors, with a further $12 million recently deposited. The government has also been funding an elders’ home in Norwood while a permanent facility — built to meet the community’s specific cultural and dietary needs — is being established.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Lewis Brown reflected on decades of struggle — from elders bearing public witness to the brutalities they endured, to the formation of a legally recognised society, to ultimately sitting at the table at Jamaica House. While expressing gratitude for the progress made, Brown made clear that the work is not finished, calling on the community to remain united in securing a stronger foundation for future generations.
