AfriKa CRY BLOOD

“Dissatisfied and disgruntled; disappointed and distressed, this is how we feel about all recent police reports related to the I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney case.” Such was the general sentiment of community members who raised their deep concerns once again at a Town Hall meeting on Monday night, June 28, 2008, only a couple days after police returned Tacuma’s haversack and its contents to mother, Margaret Maloney.

The community has agreed to take their demonstration to the streets. There will be an unannounced march in protest of the current investigation being conducted (by the local police) on the unusual death of Ras Tacuma. The demonstrators will seek to raise public awareness and express collective dissent with the current standard of justice being served. We demand a fair investigation and trial. We demand elimination of the scourge of Rastafari profiling, stereotyping and victimisation. We demand equal rights and justice.

On Friday, August 1, 2008 the community will canvas the public with brochures, flags, badges and other memorabilia while collecting petition signatures from diverse supporters. The time has come for real change. Click here for more details on the emancipation activities.

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

THE MYSTERY surrounding the death of I’Akobi Maloney at Cove Bay, St Lucy, on June 17, has deepened with the return of his haversack to his mother.

Police returned Maloney’s bag to his mother Maggie Maloney last week, and she had serious issues with its condition and its contents.

“The police statement that they released clearly states that he jumped with clothes on and his haversack on his back.

“If that is the case, and the cause of death they gave was drowning, then everything in the bag should be water damaged. The bag and its contents are dry – no sea-salt, the papers in it are not mildewed, not sticking together, just dry,” said Maloney. (more…)

by Maria Bradshaw (www.nationnews.com)

A MOTHER WHOSE SON was shot and killed by the police two years ago is advising the Maloney family to ask for police from outside to investigate what happened to I’Akobi Maloney, who died in the presence of police officers near Cove Bay, St Lucy, last month.

Joycelyn Ellis, who knew the 23 year-old Maloney and also attended his funeral, said his death brought back memories of her son’s.

“I went to I’Akobi’s family and I told them not to accept what the police are telling them because it will come to the same thing as my son if they don’t do something. I tell them to bring in somebody from outside because when my son died the police told me all kinds of things.” (more…)

The hourly weather history for June 17, 2008 at Grantley Adams (28.08 Km from Cove Bay) indicate that around 5:13 p.m. (i.e. the date and time of death of Ras Tacuma) the skies were open with a few scattered clouds, temperature 29°C, winds 30 Km/h and no chance of precipitation.

June 17, 2008 - Grantley Adams, Barbados

Source: 2008 FreeMeteo

Local Time	Weather		Temp	Winds (Km/h)	Humidity
0:00		Partly cloudy	27 °C	E at 33	84 %
1:00		Partly cloudy	27 °C	E at 28	84 %
2:00		Smoke	27 °C	E at 24	79 %
3:00		Few clouds	n/a	E at 26	999 %
4:00		Few clouds	n/a	E at 28	999 %
5:00		Partly cloudy	27 °C	E at 28	79 %
6:00		Partly cloudy	27 °C	E at 33	79 %
7:00		Partly cloudy	27 °C	E at 31	79 %
8:00		Partly cloudy	28 °C	E at 41	74 %
9:00		Partly cloudy	29 °C	ENE at 43	75 %
10:00		Partly cloudy	29 °C	E at 39	79 %
11:00		Partly cloudy	30 °C	E at 41	70 %
12:00		Partly cloudy	30 °C	ENE at 41	70 %
13:00		Partly cloudy	30 °C	E at 37	70 %
14:00		Partly cloudy	30 °C	E at 39	66 %
15:00		Partly cloudy	29 °C	ENE at 37	75 %
16:00		Partly cloudy	29 °C	E at 35	75 %
17:00		Few clouds	28 °C	E at 31	79 %
18:00		Few clouds	28 °C	E at 30	79 %
19:00		Few clouds	27 °C	ENE at 26	89 %
20:00		Few clouds	27 °C	E at 30	84 %
21:00		Few clouds	27 °C	E at 28	84 %
22:00		Few clouds	27 °C	E at 28	84 %
23:00		Partly cloudy	27 °C	E at 30	89 %

The Landlock is a small cove in Saint Lucy. It is a small coastal indentation, smaller than both Little Bay on its northern side and Cove Bay on its southern side. The cliffs surrounding the small beach at Landlock are estimated to be 40 to 50 feet above mean sea level. The Landlock is located at Latitude: 13.3; Longitude: -59.5833333.

by PEP (www.nationnews.com)

THE PEOPLE’S EMPOWERMENT PARTY (PEP) is calling upon Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin and Attorney-General Freundel Stuart to carry out an independent investigation into the “mysterious” death of 23-year-old I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, by bringing in police investigators from a jurisdiction outside of Barbados to take charge of the probe.

I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, a young man of impeccable reputation, died on June 17 at Landlocks, near Cove Bay, St Lucy, while in the presence and custody of several officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force. Spokespersons of the force have since alleged that police officers had interviewed Mr Maloney, before he suddenly and inexplicably ran and jumped off a cliff to his death.

Where a death has occurred in such circumstances, (more…)

The sea tides report for June 17, 2008 (i.e. the date of the death of Ras Tacuma Maloney) indicate that around 5:13 p.m. the sea tides had reached a high peak of +1.6 feet MLLW.

June 2008 - Bridgetown, Barbados

Source: 2008 NOAA Tide Predictions

Date          Day    Time        Height     Time        Height
06/01/2008    Sun    12:01AM LST -0.3 L     03:29AM LST 0.0  H
06/02/2008    Mon    01:04AM LST -0.4 L     05:15AM LST -0.1 H
06/03/2008    Tue    02:00AM LST -0.5 L     05:38PM LST 2.0  H
06/04/2008    Wed    02:51AM LST -0.7 L     06:33PM LST 2.0  H
06/05/2008    Thu    03:39AM LST -0.7 L     07:30PM LST 1.8  H
06/06/2008    Fri    04:22AM LST -0.8 L     10:34AM LST 0.3  H
06/07/2008    Sat    05:03AM LST -0.7 L     11:13AM LST 0.5  H
06/08/2008    Sun    05:40AM LST -0.7 L     11:53AM LST 0.8  H
06/09/2008    Mon    06:14AM LST -0.5 L     12:31PM LST 0.9  H
06/10/2008    Tue    06:44AM LST -0.4 L     01:09PM LST 1.2  H
06/11/2008    Wed    12:04AM LST 0.7  H     07:10AM LST -0.4 L
06/12/2008    Thu    01:03AM LST 0.4  H     07:31AM LST -0.3 L
06/13/2008    Fri    02:12AM LST 0.3  H     07:44AM LST -0.1 L
06/14/2008    Sat    03:37AM LST 0.1  H     07:43AM LST 0.0  L
06/15/2008    Sun    12:52AM LST -0.3 L     04:02PM LST 1.6  H
06/16/2008    Mon    01:51AM LST -0.3 L     04:37PM LST 1.6  H
06/17/2008    Tue    02:42AM LST -0.4 L     05:13PM LST 1.6  H
06/18/2008    Wed    03:27AM LST -0.4 L     05:50PM LST 1.4  H
06/19/2008    Thu    04:04AM LST -0.4 L     06:27PM LST 1.4  H
06/20/2008    Fri    04:34AM LST -0.4 L     07:04PM LST 1.4  H
06/21/2008    Sat    04:56AM LST -0.4 L     07:43PM LST 1.3  H
06/22/2008    Sun    05:12AM LST -0.4 L     08:22PM LST 1.2  H
06/23/2008    Mon    05:23AM LST -0.4 L     12:30PM LST 0.7  H
06/24/2008    Tue    05:32AM LST -0.3 L     12:11PM LST 0.8  H
06/25/2008    Wed    05:44AM LST -0.3 L     12:22PM LST 1.0  H
06/26/2008    Thu    05:59AM LST -0.3 L     12:47PM LST 1.3  H
06/27/2008    Fri    06:19AM LST -0.3 L     01:20PM LST 1.6  H
06/28/2008    Sat    12:49AM LST 0.1  H     06:44AM LST -0.3 L
06/29/2008    Sun    02:01AM LST 0.0  H     07:14AM LST -0.3 L
06/30/2008    Mon    03:20AM LST -0.1 H     07:50AM LST -0.3 L

All times are listed in Local Standard Time (LST) or, Local Daylight Time (LDT) (when applicable). All heights are in feet referenced to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW).

Rastafari Community of Barbados
July 2008

In pursuit of social justice and the elimination of further Rastafari profiling, we, the Rastafari Community of Barbados, clearly publish the following demands and collective interests: (more…)

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

FULL SUSPENSION pending the outcome of an independent investigation.

That is what the newly-formed Justice Committee is requesting for those police officers who were present at the scene of I’Akobi Maloney’s death.

Maloney met his death at Cove Bay, Landlock, St Lucy on June 17.

In a statement released yesterday, the committee highlighted various demands regarding the investigation being carried out by the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF).

One demand was that the police (peace) officers “who were present at the scene at the time of the death of the late Ras Tacuma [Maloney] be immediately relieved of their duties [paid suspension] . . . since this is reasonable, procedurally fair and proactively preventing the obstruction of justice”.

Another demand was “an independent and transparent investigation be conducted by an unbiased team of regional or private investigators”. (more…)

The thumbnail image above is a satellite image the Cove Bay area that was retrieved from Google Maps on July 14, 2008. Clicking the image links to the interactive Flash Earth.

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

THE DEATH OF I’AKOBI TACUMA MALONEY was raised twice in the House of Parliament on Wednesday when the Budget Debate continued.

Concern came from both sides of the House, with Opposition MP Hamilton Lashley and Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Care, Patrick Todd, commenting on the death of the former Arawak Cement Plant engineer.

Lashley again wore a scarf with the Rastafari colours of red, gold and green in memory of Maloney and during his 30-minute address, said he was dedicating the three Budget days to the 23-year-old who he said “disappeared from life in mysterious circumstances”.

Police said Maloney jumped to his death (more…)

Rastafari Community of Barbados
July 2008

If love was a thing that money can buy.
The rich man would live and the poor man will die.

Nothing in the name of transparency explains the most mysterious and trivialised death of the Late Tacuma Maloney. Contrary or otherwise to official records which relate of a report to local law authorities regarding a person suspected as a drug smuggler. This report was based on error.

Consistent to records in the print and electronic media, Ras Tacuma was consequently apprehended by peace officers of the state based on an invalid premise, (more…)

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

INVESTIGATIONS have begun into the death of I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney.

There has been growing concern from the public regarding circumstances of death, since he allegedly jumped from a cliff at Landlock, Cove Bay, St. Lucy on June 17.

Police released a statement yesterday stating that they had taken note of articles in the WEEKEND NATION and SUNDAY SUN attributed to persons speaking to the Press concerning the circumstances surrounding Maloney’s death.

“We wish to advise members of the public that in all cases of unnatural death an investigation is carried out into the circumstances leading to the death, and also that a coroner’s inquiry is conducted following the same investigation.” (more…)

by Carlos Atwell (www.nationnews.com)

THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE enquiring into the death of 23-year-old I’Akobi Maloney has no intention of approaching the police but still suspects foul play.

However, President of the committee, Ras Elias Tafari, wished to make it clear they were not saying that the police were involved in the death.

“We are not saying the police killed him as this has not been proven but he did die in their presence, and this is hard to accept, ” he told the DAILY NATION in an interview yesterday.

Tafari said they would continue to depend on legal advice (more…)

by Philippe Aimey (www.nationnews.com)

The committee set up on June 30, states on its website that it intends to clear the name of Maloney from any involvement with drugs, among a wider mandate that deals with the right of Rastafari people.

There is also a petition on the committee’s website, which can be signed online, or tributes sent in.

Yesterday, in Bridgetown, under the watchful eye of police, family and friends of Maloney marched with placards to raise public awareness. (more…)

by Phillipe Aimey (www.nationnews.com)

“WOE IS ME! For my glory hath departed, and the crown of my splendour hath fallen, and my belly is burned up because this my son hath departed.”

Those were the words of King Solomon in the book Kebra Negast, and a similar feeling has overwhelmed Maggie Maloney after the death of her son. (more…)

by Tim Slinger & PCA (www.nationnews.com)

“THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE to suggest any foul play in the death of I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney.”

That’s the word from police crime chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Seymour Cumberbatch, who also disclosed that investigations suggested that the 23-year-old man was going through a state of depression when he reportedly ran and jumped off a cliff at The Land Lock, Cove Bay, St Lucy, on June 17. (more…)

by Yvette Best (www.nationnews.com)

A SENIOR PARLIAMENTARIAN is calling for an inquiry into the death of 23-year-old I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, who allegedly jumped off a cliff at Land Locks, near Cove Bay, St Lucy, two weeks ago.

Hamilton Lashley, Member of Parliament for St Michael South East, told the WEEKEND NATION he would be using all his powers as an MP to get to the bottom of the issue.

“I’m calling for an urgent investigation by the Commissioner of Police and I’m hoping the Attorney-General will use his office to investigate the death of this young man,” he stated. (more…)

by Yvette Best (www.nationnews.com)

RED, MAROON and other brightly-coloured clothing, brilliant sunshine, rhythmic drumming and loud chants were the hallmarks of a thanksgiving service for I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney yesterday.

It was standing room only in the chapel of the Westbury Cemetery where family, friends, classmates and teachers of Christ Church Foundation School, some of the Barbadian students Tacuma represented at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies, and supporters gathered to say goodbye. (more…)