The Editor, Sir:

This letteR is in response to Martin Henry's, published in the Sunday, August 17th column.

Thank you for your article 'Learning from Marcus Garvey'. He had an important impact on Congo and one of its greatest heroes, Simon Kimbangu. Simon spent more time in jail (1921-1951) than Nelson Mandela fighting against injustice and for the rights of the Congolese people.

Enormous potential

The cause that Simon fought for is still prevalent to this day - the control of Congo's resources for the benefit of the Congolese people. Although Congo is presented as the land where nearly six million Black people have died since 1996, and is what the United Nations calls the deadliest conflict in the world since World War II, it has enormous potential that is not being realised. In fact, it is in large part because of the scramble for Congo's immense wealth that such mass deaths have occurred.

We are writing to let you know that students, scholars, community organisers and others will shatter the silence around the Congo from October 19-25, 2008. We would love the participation of Jamaica. If there is any way Jamaicans, especially at the University of the West Indies, can join in solidarity with the people of the Congo, it would be greatly appreciated.

You may visit this site www.congoweek.org for more info.

I am, etc.,

MAURICE CARNEY

Executive Director

Friends of the Congo