Culture Minister Olivia Grange has hailed Jamaica’s first National Hero, Marcus Garvey as a stalwart for the rights of black people.

The minister was speaking today (Aug 17) during a civic ceremony held at National Heroes Park, in Kingston, to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Garvey’s birth.

Marcus Garvey was born in St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann, on August 17, 1887. He was conferred with the order of the National Hero in 1969.

Ms. Grange says Garvey’s weapon was education, noting that he hosted educational programmes at Liberty Hall, in Kingston, for scores of persons who later had national influence.

While pointing out that Liberty Hall was the first venue to be owned by black people in Jamaica, Ms. Grange praised Garvey for teaching Jamaicans that the way to achieve black power, and black prosperity, was through education, not bullets.

The minister also lauded the Rastafarian movement for keeping the legacy of Garvey alive.

She says celebrations for Garvey today are aimed at reflecting on the life of a man who made it his mission to offer hope and direction to the African diaspora.

Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, lead in the floral tribute to the National Hero, followed by Grange, on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Peter Phillips, Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams, ambassador of Argentina, Ariel Fernandez, who represented the diplomatic corps, and President of the Universal Negro Improvement Association Steven Golding.