P-06-1219 Install a commemorative statue of African-American singer Paul Robeson in the Valleys
This
petition was submitted by Morgan Paulett, having collected a total of 404
signatures.
Text of Petition:
Paul Robeson was an
African-American singer & actor who came to have a love for Wales & its
mining communities. He supported Welsh miners with proceeds from his concerts
to their striking relief fund & toured Wales, singing in Cardiff, Neath
& elsewhere to raise funds for miners.
Whilst he was subject to
segregation in the U.S., he described the reception he received in Wales as
warm beyond "all bounds", and said that Welsh mining communities had
"shaped" his life.
Additional Information:
Paul Robeson, during his
life, showed incredible solidarity for Welsh mining communities in the Valleys.
From his starring role in
'The Proud Valley', a film that he would call his most cherished, to his
raising money for striking Welsh miners through his singing, to his being
invited to perform for the Welsh Miners' Eisteddfod in 1957 (but being unable
to because of the United States' Government confiscation of his passport),
Robeson is someone who was prized amongst the Welsh population during his time,
& should be prized as such posthumously.
Robeson even learned some
Welsh in order to sing to miners in their language!
The support he gave for
Welsh mining communities in his life, the love he received from the Welsh
people & the returned solidarity from Welsh miners whilst he was being
interrogated by the House Un-American Activities Committee & forbidden from
travelling abroad mean he has a uniquely special and exceptional place in Welsh
history, & should be honoured as such.
Status
This petition was
considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 29/11/2021.
The Committee noted that
the Deputy Minister has made the Welsh Government’s position clear, which has
been accepted by the petitioner and agreed to close the petition and thank the
petitioner.
In addition to closing the
petition, the Committee asked the clerking team to provide the petitioner with
information produced by the research service regarding seeking funding for the
statue and wish him every success.
Full details of the
consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be
seen on the Meetings tab above.
It was first considered by
the Petitions Committee on 29/11/2021.
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Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
First published: 16/11/2021