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In the wake of the fall out from Trayvon Martin's killer George Michael Zimmerman being set free by Florida Jury and system designed for injustice, many have been talking about boycotting Florida until it repeals Stand Your Ground self-defense laws. I thought to myself, I wonder what Malcolm X, Huey Newton and Fred F. Williams would be saying today about Black so-called leaders urging folks to give up their guns and concede the ground.
I also want to talk about why members of the Black liberation movement who are not confined not speaking up for their comrades who are being tortured and denied release from these prison hells in America.
Not all, but a prominent few I've noticed on Facebook who don't say one word about comrades who are sick and dying and denied compassionate release because of their past activities as members of various political organizations. Why is that?
Joining me tonight for discussion on these issues involving our political prisoners and their legacy is Shaka Shakur. Shaka Shakur was born August 12, 1969 and raised in the Bronx, New York. He is a father, community organizer and a revolutionary. He is the founder of The people's survival program and Maroon multi media. He is an alumni member of the Black Panther collective and former chairperson of the NYC chapter of the New Black Panther Party.
He is also a member of the hip-hop group Maroon Society and founder of the Gye NyaMe University. He conducts weekly political education classes, which are free to the public at the Assata Shakur cultural center in City College located on 137 & Amsterdam Ave, Rm. 3201 every Tuesday at 7pm.
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Tonight we will revisit the case of Rev. Joy Powell who was an outspoken critic against police corruption and brutality in Rochester, NY. Because of the rallies and protests against the Rochester Police Department, she was targeted and was eventually set up on First Degree Burglary and Assault charges. Although the prosecution could provide no witnesses or evidence against her, an all white jury convicted her and a judge who had it in for her sentenced her to 16 years and seven years concurrent.
Political prisoner Herman Wallace and is dying from cancer and has been locked away in solitary confinement on a Louisiana prison plantation for 41 years because of his political beliefs. He was a recently featured on Melissa Harris Perry's program and the subject of an Amnesty International appeal to the State of Louisiana for a compassionate release based on Mr. Wallace's age and worsening health condition.
JoNina Abron-Ervin of the Black Autonomy Federation and Bilal Ali of National Hood Alliance join us tonight to highlight the slavery conditions existing in the prison plantations of America and a strike being planned by prisoners in California which is also being supported by prisoners in the state of Washington.
The Black Autonomy Federation is working to establish the Black Autonomy Prison Federation and Sis. JoNina will be informing us about the mission and share her thoughts on the upcoming prisoner strikes.
Bro. Bilal is working with others to raise support for and express solidarity with California prisoners who are planning a number of actions including hunger strikes and work stoppages in protests of the abusive conditions they are subjected to everyday. He will share the demands of the prisoners and how we can support them.
