Activist’s life tragically cut short

DAMU SMITH, a long-time, respected African-American activist, died on May 5 in Atlanta after a long bout with cancer. Smith participated in many struggles, including fighting for environmental justice and an end to the racist, apartheid regime in South Africa. He was a founder of Black Voices for Peace, a Washington, D.C., community-based, anti-war coalition that opposed U.S. military aggression in Iraq and elsewhere. A more in-depth obituary on the contributions of Smith to the progressive movement will appear in a future issue of Workers World.

A public celebration of Smith’s life is scheduled for May 20 at 5:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congre gational Church, 5301 North Capitol St. NE, Washington, D.C.

—Monica Moorehead