Maryland state senator ousted
Racism pure and simple, say protesters
By Workers World Baltimore bureau
The big-business media and politicians say it's
about corruption. But thousands in Baltimore have taken to the
streets, saying the issue is really racism and the
disenfranchisement of the Black community.
On Jan. 16, the Maryland State Senate voted to expel Sen.
Larry Young. It was only the second time in 201 years that a
senator had been expelled by fellow legislators.
All but one white legislator voted to expel, and all but one
Black legislator voted against expulsion.
Three days earlier, over 2,000 people from the African
American community had marched and rallied in West Baltimore to
support Young. They mobilized in less than 10 hours in response
to a call from Baltimore's independent Black-owned radio
station, WOLB-known as 1010 Radio.
Anger had been building after 35 days of headlines in the
Baltimore Sun newspaper attacking Young for alleged corruption
and misuse of office. Community activists and Young supporters
charged that the Sun had created a lynch-mob-type atmosphere
against him.
Angered by a Sun banner headline that day announcing, "Young
to lose Senate posts," workers and community residents began to
fill the streets surrounding Total Health Care on Division
Street. As the ranks of protesters swelled, the nearby Union
Baptist Church opened its doors in a gesture of solidarity.
Angry marchers took to the streets, chanting and blocking
traffic.
After marching, the crowd filled the church to overflowing.
Community, church and political leaders addressed them.
State Delegate Clarence Mitchell IV called on participants
to not only denounce racism, but also "to get on buses bound to
Annapolis"-the state capital-the next day.
The crowd-many of whom stood for several hours, both inside
and outside the church-cheered frequently when the name Kathy
Hughes was called. The owner of 1010 Radio, Hughes refused a
$500,000 loan to her station from the state's "Sunny Day Fund"
to protest the pending expulsion of Young. This was the first
time the "Sunny Day Fund" had offered a loan to an
African-American-owned business.
C. Miles, a popular talk-show host at 1010 Radio, was
greeted with shouts of "Black Power now!" Martha Chavis
Mohammad gave greetings and a message of solidarity from the
Nation of Islam.
An emotional Sen. Larry Young announced to cheers, "I will
not resign!" He said his decision was made after consulting
with family members, some of whom attended the rally.
The Senate Ethics Committee and Senate President Michael
Miller had demanded Young "resign or face expulsion."
Andre Powell, representing the All-Peoples Congress, said:
"The issue is not about Larry Young's innocence or guilt; it is
about disenfranchising an entire community. It is about
racism.
"Corruption is rampant in state government on all levels. If
the issue were really corruption, we would have to shut state
government down."
Powell represents AFSCME state workers in collective
bargaining.
"It is important for all workers, especially union members,
to support this fight against racism," commented Sharon Ceci, a
health-care worker and shop steward of Food and Commercial
Workers Local 27.
"The actions of the state government and the Sun paper are
aimed at promoting division-at a time when we need unity more
than ever to fight against low wages and miserable work
conditions and to end police killings."
The expulsion vote has not ended this struggle. Discussion
on what step to take next is under way.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email: ww@workers.org
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