Hip hop benefit supports Mumia
By
Tahnee Stair
Berkeley, Calif.
Youth and Students for Mumia and the National People's
Campaign held a hip hop benefit here for the April 24 Millions
for Mumia march in San Francisco. Youth and Students organizers
Maisha Quint, a high school Black Student Union leader, and
Rachel Aoanan emceed the show on April 11.
"I got involved in the fight for Mumia after going to a hip
hop show like this," said Aoanan, from Castro Valley High in
Hayward, Calif. "I heard this guy's name, Mumia, and I didn't
know who he was. Later I heard his name on a local hip hop
radio station show.
"I did my own research and called the National People's
Campaign to get involved. Mumia's face is the face of tens of
thousands of victims in this country. As minorities I feel we
have to take action to change things."
Young spoken-word artist Biko helped set the evening's
revolutionary tone, cheered on by a diverse young audience. The
popular hip hop group Prophets of Rage, who have been active in
support of Puerto Rican political prisoners, kept the packed
club jumping with political songs like "Freedom Fighter" and
"Power."
Long-time prison and human-rights activist Dorsey Nunn spoke
out against the criminalization of youths of color and
encouraged everyone to march with spirit and militancy on April
24.
People were urged to join National People's Campaign
contingents like Youth and Students, Rainbow Flags for Mumia,
and the International Action Center's Anti-Racist/Anti-War
contingent. Kristen Mich aels, a youth activist with the
U.S.-Cuba Friendship Caravan, announced a May Day conference on
Cuba celebrating 40 years of the island's revolution.
Nancy Mitchell of Rainbow Flags for Mumia and Workers World
Party Youth Committee drew parallels between the fight to save
Mumia and to end the U.S/NATO war against Yugoslavia. "What is
the government doing here at home about racist police violence,
to save affirmative action, or keep bilingual education? We
need to show we don't buy their lies about Mumia or the
war!"
Jimmy Salcedo of Youth and Students for Mumia and San
Francisco State University's La Raza said: "It is important for
youth of color to take action for Mumia. Ultimately it is our
future we are investing in."
"This benefit is a great collaboration of youth. Youth have
always been the backbone of social movements," said Marcey
Lockridge of Youth and Students for Mumia and the Solono
Community College African Student Association.
Many people signed up to march with the Youth and Students
contingent. It will begin gathering at 10:30 a.m. between 18th
and 19th on Dolores Street. Readers can call Youth and Students
for Mumia in San Francisco at (415) 821-6545 for more
information.
This article is copyright under a Creative
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