NCIC Quarterly Distinguished Lecture Series: Adrian Cola Rienzi

The 2nd lecture will feature Professor Brinsley Samaroo, who will be presenting the life and work of Adrian Cola Rienzi.

The event will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2017 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at the NCIC Nagar.

ADRIAN COLA RIENZI

Adrian Cola Rienzi, born Krishna Deonarine Tiwari on January 19th, 1905, was an Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian trade unionist, politician, and lawyer. He assumed many positions throughout his activist career, including President of the San Fernando branch of Trinidad Workingmen’s Association, Founder of the East Indian Friendly Society, and Executive Member of the East Indian National Association (EINA). In the 1930’s, as a student in Dublin, Rienzi joined the League Against Imperialism and India’s Struggle for Freedom. He joined the Middle Temple in London, and was admitted to the bar in September of 1934. Rienzi went to on establish the Trinidad Citizen’s League, and joined Uriah ‘Buzz’ Butler to provide Afro-Indo leadership to disturbances of 1937. From 1937 to 1942, Rienzi was Member and Mayor of the San Fernando Borough Council, Organiser and first President of the T&T Trades Union Council, Member of both the Legislative Council and Franchise Commission, and Founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Socialist Party. He became the first President of the Indian Club and Co-founder of the Indian Cultural Association, the forerunner of NCIC. Rienzi’s role as an
activist grew to include an advisory position to trade unions and young lawyers, and he remained actively engaged in strengthening relations between India and Trinbago. Adrian Cola Rienzi was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the year 2012.

Admission for this event is free.
Seating is limited. Please confirm your attendance by contacting us at: [email protected] or 671-NCIC.
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