Rally defends community leader
By
Abayomi Azikiwe
Benton Harbor, Mich.
Published May 28, 2005 9:31 AM
Activists from
various Michigan cities and Chicago came to this predominantly African American
city in the southwest region of Michigan on May 21 to express support for a
community leader, the Rev. Edward Pinkney, who is facing prosecution on four
felony charges and a misdemeanor. If convicted, he could face 20 years in
prison.
Berrien County prosecutors filed the charges against Pinkney in
the aftermath of a successful recall election Feb. 22. The recall removed
Commissioner Glenn Yar brough, brother of the former mayor and a supporter of
Police Chief Samuel Harris. County officials claim that Pinkney engaged in voter
fraud by buying off people to support the recall and influencing individual
voters.
Pinkney, executive director of the Black Autonomy Network of
Community Org anizers in Benton Harbor, has been an outspoken critic of the
local political establishment and corporate elite. His supporters cite the
history of racism and police brutality directed toward the people of Benton
Harbor as the underlying cause of the city’s economic plight.
Years
of deprivation and poverty reached a boiling point in 2003. That June, the
people of Benton Harbor rose up in a rebellion that lasted for three days. The
governor called in the state police against them.
The 2003 outbreak
occurred after the death of a young African American man who was chased on his
motorcycle by the Berrien County police. These developments drew national and
international media coverage.
The May 21 rally, which took place at the
Benton Harbor Public Library, was held in response to the April 18 arrest of
Pinkney. Members of various organizations atten ded. These include the Michigan
Emer gency Committee Against War & Injustice, Michigan Welfare Rights
Organization, Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, League of
Revolutionaries for a New America, Michigan Green Party and the National Lawyers
Guild.
Pinkney thanked the people who came out from the local community
and
thro ugh out the region. Reading from the BANCO mission statement, he
said the organization exists “to help or force Ber rien County to
administer justice with fairness, equality and integrity. To resolve matters for
our community and in the courts in a timely manner … to provide courtesy
and proper service in a manner that is for public trust and
confidence.
“What we have now is that we are fighting a war,”
Pinkney said. “It is the haves versus the have-nots. It’s the rich
against the poor. We are here today to tell you that we are not going to take
this anymore. This is just the beginning. This thing is bigger than what they
think it is.”
Marian Kramer, co-chair of the Michi gan Welfare
Rights Organization from Highland Park, asked those who came from Detroit to
stand. She recognized MECAWI activist and labor leader David Sole for
coordinating the transportation to Benton Harbor for the
rally.
“Highland Park is a battleground area. Detroit is a
battleground area,” Kramer said. “They claim that we have democracy
in this government we live under in the United States. But as soon as you make a
step to defend your democracy in regard to what is happening here with the
recall campaign, they tell you that you do not have the right to do that. As
soon as you move to exercise those rights you find out that it is democracy for
the rich, and not for us.
“When injustice raises its ugly head we
as members of the working class are going to be here to stomp it down,”
she concluded.
After the meeting, there was a spirited march around the
Benton Harbor police station. Demonstrators chanted, “What do we want?
Justice! When do we want it? Now!” and, “Hands off Rev.
Pinkney!”
Pinkney appealed for ongoing support for his case. His
defense lawyer has filed a motion with the court for a reconsideration of the
charges. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office has 14 days to
respond.
Azikiwe is editor of the Pan-African News Wire.
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email:
[email protected]
Subscribe
[email protected]
Support independent news
DONATE