Jim Crow injustice used to silence Black minister

The racist frame-up of Benton Harbor, Mich., community activist Rev. Edward Pinkney reached a new low on Dec. 20 when his probation was revoked for a biblical quote used in an article where he decried the injustice still rampant in the Berrien County courts.

Local supporters are asking for immediate and continuous actions demanding an investigation of the court and Rev. Pinkney’s release.

Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney wrote in an e-mail appeal: “I went to Benton Harbor to support Reverend Pinkney and the people of Benton Harbor in their struggle for self-determination. At this meeting, it was clear that Reverend Pinkney had succeeded in bringing whites and blacks together in this fight for justice. And we know that powerful interests view that as a no-no. Unfortunately, today, the day after our wonderful rally with the residents, Reverend Pinkney was picked up by the police for allegedly violating the terms of his parole to not make ‘inflammatory statements’.”

Rev. Pinkney was arrested at his home on Dec. 14. His computer was seized. He held a hunger strike until a hearing on Dec. 20. No longer on a hunger strike, he is now held in a 12-foot by 14-foot cell with six other men, sleeping on a mattress on the floor. There is no hot water in the jail. (bhbanco.blogspot.com)

Pinkney became the focus of intense state repression after his organization Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO) spearheaded a successful recall of a city commissioner in February 2005.

The recall of this particular commissioner threatened to block a 500 million dollar, exclusive, upscale development including a Jack Nicklaus golf course, planned by Whirlpool, the multinational appliance manufacturer.

The development would take Benton Harbor’s park on the shore of Lake Michigan and not benefit the overwhelmingly poor African-American population of Benton Harbor at all.

The first attempt to frame Rev. Pinkney for election fraud failed when the jury including two people of color could not come to a verdict. When Pinkney was retried, an all-white jury convicted him based on a witness so incredible that noted defense attorney, Hugh Davis, said, “You couldn’t send a dog to the pound on the testimony.”

A court appearance is expected later in January or February. The BANCO blog says you can help by calling U.S. Rep. John Conyers’ office to demand an investigation of Rev. Pinkney’s case. Speak with Mustasa Ali at 202-226-9928. Sign the online petition: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/624471377. To demand a pardon for Rev. Pinkney, write Gov. Jennifer Granholm, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909, or call 517-335-7858. E-mail the governor at www.michigan.gov/gov (Click Contact Go., then Share Your Opinion). Send donations to cover legal expenses to: BANCO, 1940 Union Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Write or send current events articles to Rev. Pinkney, #10017670-IS04, Berrien County Jail, 919 Port St., St. Joseph, MI 49085.