Rally defends community leader

Activists from various Michigan cities and Chicago came to this predominantly African American city in the southwest region of Michigan on May 21 to express support for a community leader, the Rev. Edward Pinkney, who is facing prosecution on four felony charges and a misdemeanor. If convicted, he could face 20 years in prison.

Benton Harbor, Mich.

Berrien County prosecutors filed the charges against Pinkney in the aftermath of a successful recall election Feb. 22. The recall removed Commissioner Glenn Yar brough, brother of the former mayor and a supporter of Police Chief Samuel Harris. County officials claim that Pinkney engaged in voter fraud by buying off people to support the recall and influencing individual voters.

Pinkney, executive director of the Black Autonomy Network of Community Org anizers in Benton Harbor, has been an outspoken critic of the local political establishment and corporate elite. His supporters cite the history of racism and police brutality directed toward the people of Benton Harbor as the underlying cause of the city’s economic plight.

Rev. Edward Pinkney

Years of deprivation and poverty reached a boiling point in 2003. That June, the people of Benton Harbor rose up in a rebellion that lasted for three days. The governor called in the state police against them.

The 2003 outbreak occurred after the death of a young African American man who was chased on his motorcycle by the Berrien County police. These developments drew national and international media coverage.

The May 21 rally, which took place at the Benton Harbor Public Library, was held in response to the April 18 arrest of Pinkney. Members of various organizations atten ded. These include the Michigan Emer gency Committee Against War & Injustice, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, League of Revolutionaries for a New America, Michigan Green Party and the National Lawyers Guild.

Pinkney thanked the people who came out from the local community and
thro ugh out the region. Reading from the BANCO mission statement, he said the organization exists “to help or force Ber rien County to administer justice with fairness, equality and integrity. To resolve matters for our community and in the courts in a timely manner … to provide courtesy and proper service in a manner that is for public trust and confidence.

“What we have now is that we are fighting a war,” Pinkney said. “It is the haves versus the have-nots. It’s the rich against the poor. We are here today to tell you that we are not going to take this anymore. This is just the beginning. This thing is bigger than what they think it is.”

Marian Kramer, co-chair of the Michi gan Welfare Rights Organization from Highland Park, asked those who came from Detroit to stand. She recognized MECAWI activist and labor leader David Sole for coordinating the transportation to Benton Harbor for the rally.

“Highland Park is a battleground area. Detroit is a battleground area,” Kramer said. “They claim that we have democracy in this government we live under in the United States. But as soon as you make a step to defend your democracy in regard to what is happening here with the recall campaign, they tell you that you do not have the right to do that. As soon as you move to exercise those rights you find out that it is democracy for the rich, and not for us.

“When injustice raises its ugly head we as members of the working class are going to be here to stomp it down,” she concluded.

After the meeting, there was a spirited march around the Benton Harbor police station. Demonstrators chanted, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” and, “Hands off Rev. Pinkney!”

Pinkney appealed for ongoing support for his case. His defense lawyer has filed a motion with the court for a reconsideration of the charges. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office has 14 days to respond.

Azikiwe is editor of the Pan-African News Wire.