From Bvio
The '''Republic of New Africa''', (RNA) is a
black nationalist community and political lobby group established in
Mississippi,
United States in the late
1960s, that claims
sovereignty, but is not recognised similar to other
micronations.
== History ==
The original RNA manifesto demanded the cession by the
United States of the states of
Louisiana,
Mississippi,
Alabama,
Georgia, and
South Carolina and the payment of
$400 billion in
reparations for the
injustices suffered by black Americans during the
slavery and segregation periods. These concessions would then form the basis of an independent black nation.
The republic was founded at a conference of militant black nationalists meeting in
Detroit in
1968. The conference was convened by attorney
Milton Henry and his brother
Richard, former acquaintances of
Malcolm X who had renamed themselves Gaidi Obadele and Imari Abubakari Obadele.
Imari Obadele was elected to the position of "Provisional President".
The group advocated cooperative economics and community self-sufficiency, but also supported limiting political rights and press freedoms, prohibiting
trades unions,
mandatory military service and the legalization of
polygamy.
The US
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) believed the Republic of New Africa to be a
seditious group, and conducted raids on their meetings, leading to violent confrontations and the arrest and repeated imprisonment of RNA leaders.
Following his
1980 release from prison, Imari Obadele attended
Temple University and earned a PhD in
political science. He has since taught at various universities and published books and articles upholding the aims of the RNA.
The RNA is today based in
Washington, DC, and claims a membership of almost 10,000.
== External links ==
*
http://www.africana.com/research/encarta/tt_433.asp
*
People's District Council of Los Angeles