Denver block party remembers Malcolm X

On May 20, Colorado Communities United Against Police Brutality held a community block party in Denver in honor of the martyred Black freedom fighter, Malcolm X. The party featured M-1 of dead prez, Umi of P.O.W. and Rebel Diaz. If he were alive today, Malcolm X would have turned 82 on May 19.

M-1 of dead prez and Umi of P.O.W. perform at Malcolm X block party.

The community group, primarily comprised of people of color, formed to fight racism, state repression and to link to the fight against imperialism, has embarked on a path to commemorate leaders from oppressed communities.

In January, the group held a people’s commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr., right next to the city of Denver’s corporate funded parade, which eschews politics and has sought in the past to deny any political signs and/or banners.

The May 20th commemoration of Malcolm X was a free event including entertainment from headliner musicians, as well as from local musicians, free food and community services.

The event included political speeches from Shareef Aleem of Aurora CopWatch, Glen Spagnoulo of the Recreate 68 Alliance, Daniel Salcido of the Mexican National Liberation Movement, Larry Hales of Workers World Party and Melissa Kleinman of Fight Imperialism-Stand Together (FIST). Dahlia Wasfi, an Iraqi woman, and Glen Morris of Colorado AIM were invited to speak also, and Dahlia electrified the crowd, which consisted mostly of people of color.

Many community members came out and remained despite the breezy and rainy weather, which lasted for an hour of the eight-hour block party.

During the event children took the stage and sang or rapped about issues that they face in their communities. The crowd chanted anti-cop slogans and a large number of people expressed a commitment to help organize for the People’s Tribunal and People’s Review Boards.

An idea was also expressed to organize a Juneteenth political block party, one separate from the corporate event, and to organize a political block party for Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16.

There was a great spirit of militancy in the air, with many smiles, yet determined faces. While this event was a way to build unity between oppressed nationalities, to remember the legacy of Malcolm X and to make the remembrance relevant, it was primarily a way to mobilize a base for future struggles.