JUNKANOO JOHN CANOE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL PERSONALITY FOR REPARATIONS NOW

The African Diaspora Equity and Justice Alliance (ADEJA) is an organization with a bold and ambitious mission: to advance the well-being, empowerment, unity, and pursuit of historical reparatory justice for Black Africans, the Black African diaspora, and the Mixed-Black diaspora. This initiative is based on an evidence-based claim-by-claim approach and aims to create a transformative platform addressing historical inequities, fostering international collaboration, and paving the way for shared prosperity.

Mission: ADEJA’s mission is to promote the empowerment and unity of the Black and Mixed-Black diaspora and seek reparatory justice for historical wrongs. The organization intends to leverage legal, financial, and social frameworks to achieve this.

Goals:

1. Empowerment: Enhance the socio-economic status of Black and Mixed-Black communities.
2. Unity: Foster a sense of global solidarity among these communities.
3. Reparatory Justice: Secure reparations through evidence-based claims to address historical injustices.

ADEJA is financially backed by Reparation Nation Limited, an entity dedicated to supporting reparatory justice initiatives worldwide. This partnership provides ADEJA with the necessary resources to pursue its mission effectively.

ADEJA operates as a clearinghouse for all entities classified as IC3 Black or part IC3 Black, facilitating a collaborative effort towards reparatory justice. It recognizes and utilizes the UK Government's IC codes for racial and ethnic classification to ensure clear and consistent identification.

An international legal personality is an entity recognized by international law as having rights and obligations. These entities can enter into treaties, sue or be sued, and enjoy legal capacities similar to those of a nation-state or international organization.

1. United Nations (UN)
2. European Union (EU)
3. World Health Organization (WHO)
4. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
5. World Bank
6. African Union (AU)
7. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
8. International Criminal Court (ICC)
9. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
10. Red Cross

1. UN: Promotes peace and security; aligns with ADEJA’s goal of fostering unity.
2. EU: Economic and political union; similar to ADEJA’s socio-economic empowerment aim.
3. WHO: Health focus; ADEJA can align through health-related reparations.
4. IMF/World Bank: Economic stability and development; ADEJA seeks economic reparations.
5. AU: Continental unity and development; directly parallels ADEJA’s regional unity goals.
6. ICJ/ICC: Judicial accountability; ADEJA seeks legal reparatory justice.
7. NATO: Security and defense; less direct, but related to protecting Black communities.
8. Red Cross: Humanitarian aid; ADEJA’s reparation includes social welfare components.

John Canoe (Junkanoo) is a mythical figure believed to have roots in African traditions brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. The character embodies resistance, resilience, and cultural celebration.

Junkanoo festivals, prominent in the Caribbean, especially the Bahamas, showcase vibrant parades and music, celebrating African heritage and freedom. This tradition symbolizes the enduring spirit of African descendants in the diaspora.

ADEJA plans to use John Canoe/Junkanoo as an international legal personality for the delivery of reparatory justice. This character’s rich cultural history and symbolism make it an ideal figure to represent the struggle and triumph of Black and Mixed-Black people worldwide.

Protected Characteristics under the UK’s Equality Act 2010 include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. These characteristics are legally protected to prevent discrimination and promote equality.

Race and ethnicity are critical protected characteristics. They ensure that individuals are not discriminated against based on their racial or ethnic backgrounds, providing a legal framework for addressing racial inequalities.

ADEJA’s focus on these characteristics allows it to effectively advocate for the rights and reparations of Black and Mixed-Black individuals within the legal protections offered by the UK.

By using race and ethnicity classifications, ADEJA ensures clear and precise identification of individuals eligible for reparatory justice. This method enhances the credibility and effectiveness of reparation claims.

Dismantling race as a protected characteristic could destabilize social cohesion and hinder efforts to address racial injustices. Such actions could lead to increased social tensions, undermining national security.

Maintaining race and ethnicity as protected characteristics is crucial for:

1. Social Stability: Promotes social harmony by addressing racial grievances.
2. Legal Clarity: Provides a clear legal framework for addressing discrimination.
3. International Reputation: Upholds the UK’s commitment to human rights.

John Canoe/Junkanoo embodies the historical struggle and cultural resilience of the African diaspora. Using this figure as an international legal personality underscores the collective identity and heritage of Black and Mixed-Black communities.

The character’s historical significance and cultural relevance make it an ideal symbol for reparatory justice initiatives. It can effectively represent the collective claims of the African diaspora on an international stage.

The African Diaspora Equity and Justice Alliance (ADEJA) is set to revolutionize the pursuit of reparatory justice for Black and Mixed-Black people worldwide. By adopting John Canoe/Junkanoo as its international legal personality, ADEJA bridges cultural heritage with modern legal frameworks to address historical injustices. With the support of Reparation Nation Limited and alignment with UK legal protections, ADEJA aims to achieve significant milestones in reparatory justice by 9 November 2025.

This comprehensive approach not only honors the rich cultural history of the African diaspora but also provides a robust platform for securing justice and equity in the modern world.

Event Venue

Speakers' Corner, Speakers' Corner, London, United Kingdom