Jamaican Government Hands Over Land Titles to Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society, Commits Over $130 Million Investment

Nearly a decade after Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness issued a formal state apology, Jamaica has taken a decisive step from words to action—handing over land titles and committing more than $130 million JMD in reparations to survivors of the Coral Gardens incident. In a landmark move on April 3, Deputy Prime Minister Horace Chang officially transferred ownership of Lots 84A and 84B in Albion, St. James, to the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society (RCGBS), signalling a new era of tangible justice for the Rastafari community.

The handover, staged during the annual Coral Gardens commemoration, marks a critical shift in Jamaica’s reparations framework. According to Dr. Chang, the titles grant full legal ownership and autonomy, empowering the RCGBS to develop the land into a culturally aligned sanctuary for Rastafari elders. “We’re not rewriting history… we have to know history, but move on and build,” he stated, framing the gesture as both acknowledgement and forward momentum. The move follows years of advocacy led by community figures including Ras Brown and Sistha Nanny, whose efforts kept the call for justice alive at the highest levels.

Meanwhile, Culture Minister Olivia Grange underscored the broader reparations programme, revealing that over $130 million has already been disbursed through the RCGBS Trust Fund, with an additional $12 million recently added. She highlighted ongoing government support for elder care facilities while plans advance for a permanent, purpose-built home tailored to Rastafari cultural and dietary practices. “It is our pleasure to do the handover,” Grange affirmed, describing the transfer as a defining milestone in a process launched in 2017.

For the Rastafari community, the moment carries both closure and renewed purpose. Speaking on behalf of survivors, Ras Brown reflected on decades of resilience—from recounting the brutalities of 1963 to formal negotiations with the State. While expressing gratitude, he made it clear the journey is not over. The land titles may represent justice in motion, but for many, they are also the foundation for a future where recognition, dignity, and cultural sovereignty are fully realised.

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