Black Solidarity Day in Harlem

Several hundred people, the overwhelming majority of them Black, attended a citywide forum at the Mount Olivet Church in Harlem on Nov. 5, also known as “Black Solidarity Day.” The forum was organized by the Brooklyn-based December 12th Movement and was chaired by one of its leaders, Viola Plummer.

“Race Matters” was the main theme of the forum, to put emphasis on the deepening racist and national oppression that Black people are facing in New York and around the country.

Among the speakers was King Downing—a Black lawyer with the New York Chapter of the ACLU—who spoke on the Jena 6, Black youth who have been framed for the “crime” of defending themselves against racism in their Jena, La., high school.

Downing gave an update on the legal status of their cases and ended his remarks with the chant, “Stop the Jena-cide.” He encouraged the audience to write to one of the incarcerated youths, Mychal Bell, at Renaissance Home for Youth, P.O. Box 7997, Alexandria, LA 71306. He also asked that funds be sent to the young men’s families at Jena 6 Defense Fund, P.O. Box 2498, Jena, LA 71342.

New York City Councilperson Charles Barron spoke on why he is supporting Barack Obama for president—as a revolutionary tactic and also because Obama is Black. Pam Africa from International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal brought greetings from Philadelphia.

Monica Moorehead from the International Action Center spoke on why Katrina survivors deserve reparations, including the right to return. She also spoke on the need to build Black and Brown unity in light of the raids and deportations that undocumented workers, especially Latin@s, are facing.

Radio personality Bob Law spoke on the economic exploitation facing Black people and encouraged Black people not to shop during the holiday season. He also told the crowd to call Congressperson John Conyers’ office at 313-961-5670 to ask that the Senate House Judiciary Committee investigate the role of the prosecutor in the Jena 6 case.