Open letter to Martinelli protests TV broadcast

06-30-2009 | STAFF

The Society of Friends of the Afro Antillean Museum asks for respect and tolerance

Panama Star PANAMA. The board of directors and members of the Society of friends of the Afro Antillean Museum of Panama (SAAMAP) congratulates you for the triumph obtained at the elections on May 3rd, when you won with 60 percent of the citizens’ support.

Our association, proud of its afro roots, takes this opportunity to congratulate you as well for the selection of Lucy Molinar, an Afro-Panamanian, as Minister of Education.

However, we want to express our most vigorous protest against the TV show “Parecen Noticias” broadcasted by Telemetro channel 13, on Tuesday June 9 at 9:00 p.m.

In this program a great disrespect was committed against your designated minister, her family and Afro-Panamanians in general. This terrible incident prompts us to respectfully request you make a priority of your administration the creation of laws and sanctions against racism in Panama.

Panama is known as a melting pot of races and each one of our cultural and ethnic groups have contributed and enriched our country with their traditions and customs. We are only demanding respect, andtolerance from all Panamanians.

SAMAAP is a non-profit civic organization founded on March 24, 1981 to aid the National Culture Institute (INAC) in the maintenance and programs of the Afro Antillean Museum. It also hosts activities that inform and empower the best elements of the afro Antillean culture and its community in Panama. We invite you to come visit our museum. Thanks for your attention in this matter. Lic. Glenroy O. James. President