Small Clarifications
The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church (EZCC) is a distinct branch of Rastafari faith with its own unique characteristics, and it's important to address some misconceptions that may arise when researching it online. One key point to clarify is that EZCC was founded, resurrected, and led by black men. Brother Louv Williams, the original founder, tragically lost his life in the 1950s as a result of police violence. It is worth mentioning that Thomas Reilly, who adopted the name Brother Louv during a CBS 60 Minutes interview which we will touch on later in the 6th episode, later became the spokesperson for the church in the United States. However, it is crucial to understand that Thomas Reilly was not the leader or founder of the church. Brother Ivy, who was part of the original church in the 1950s, played a significant role in its revival alongside the people in the Rasta camp. Brother Wally, Walter Wells, was a spiritual elder, had great influence and spiritual impact on all members, key figure in EZCC history. And finally, Niah Keith, who emerged as the leader of the church in the 1970s and played a central role in its actions during that time.
"The Coptic Church is not politically originated, and this was firmly expressed when we met with the political directorate of the land during the period of preincorporation. We support no political organization, pagan religion, or commercial institution, seeing that religion, politics, and commerce are the three unclean spirits which separate the people from their God. Because of our non-political stand, thechurch has received tremendous opposition from the politicians, who do not want the eyes of the people to be opened.. Through its agency, the police force, the church has been severely harassed, victimized, and discriminated. Our members have passed through several acts of police brutality, our legal properties maliciously destroyed, members falsely imprisoned, divine services broken up, and all the atrocities performed upon the Church, under the name of political laws and their justice.”
- Walter Wells, Elder Priest of the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church of Jamaica, West Indies