The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement Presents:

A Quarterly Newsletter

SPRING 2012

The Community Newsletter for Self Respect, Self-Defense & Self Determination
Worse than the Patriot Act: Analyzing the National Defense Authorization Act Page 4 2012: The Year of AntiImperalist Solidarity Local Chapter Updates See whats happening around New Afrika. No chapter in your neighborhood? Visit us at www.mxgm. org to find out how to start one. Page 2 Freedom Fighter Gallery Trayvon Martin is All of Us! What Sistas Want

Why it is important that New Afrikans have an Anti-Imperialist analysist. Page 3

Learn about some of our most respected sheroes and heroes. Page 8-9

Demand Obama institute a National Plan of Action to end the epidemic of Black Murders Page 10

12 Point Platform of What Sistas Want created by the Black Feminist Working Group (BFWG) Pages 6 & 7

It

is our job to give people hope and help them see this is people power. We are winners; we can never be discouraged. Pam Africa, the ever present example of not only people power, but Black woman power, spoke these words at an organizing event in Philadelphia this past December. Pam Africa, for the last thirty years, has stood firm against corrupt state power. Alongside her sister Ramona Africa, sole survivor of the 1985 terrorist attack by the city of Philadelphia on the MOVE compound, they have never stopped fighting to free Mumia Abu-Jamal from the throes of death. Through the power of the people, led by these powerful sisters, Mumia supporters were victorious in removing him from death row. On December 7, 2011 Mumia Abu-Jamal was finally released from death row when Philadelphia District Attorney, Seth Williams, announced that he would not seek a new sentencing trial. In April 2011 the US 3rd District Court found that Mumias Message to the Grassroots

Occupy for Mumia!

death row sentence hearing was unconstitutional and compromised by the sentencing judges instructions to the jury and stated that he be given a new sentence hearing or be removed from death row

the day of Mumias detainment. From that gathering the call was made to keep the momentum going. On Tuesday, April 24, 2012 the people will gather in Washington DC to Occupy the Department of Justice demanding the release of Mumia and all Political Prisoners and the End of Mass Incarceration and the death penalty. Already public figures like Amiri Baraka, M1 of deadprez, Danny Glover, and Immortal Technique have answered the call. Organizing is currently taking place all around the country with social movements like Occupy Wall Street, Occupy the Hood, and Occupy Philly signed on to be active in the days protest, demonstration, and civil disobedience.

Pam Africa & Mumia Abu-Jamal Feb. 2012

and given life in prison without parole. The victory of Mumias release from death row was met with an overwhelming outpour of excitement and rejuvenation demonstrated by over 1200 people turning out to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA on December 9th, thirty years to

Those individuals or grassroots organizations interested in pledging to Occupy the Justice Department for Mumia and the End of Mass Incarceration can contact [email protected] for more information. Jamila Watson works with of the Philidelphia Chapter of MXGM

Free The Land!

The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement is an organization of Afrikans in America/New Afrikans whose mission is to defend the human rights of our people and promote self-determination in our community. We understand that the collective institutions of white-supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism have been at the root of our peoples oppression. We understand that without community control and without the power to determine our own lives, we will continue to fall victim to genocide. Therefore, we seek to heighten our consciousness about self-determination as a human right and a solution to our colonization. While organizing around our principles of unity, we are building a network of Black/New Afrikan activists and organizers committed to the protracted struggle for the liberation of the New Afrikan Nation - By Any Means Necessary! OUR 6 CORE PRINCIPLES 1. We actively support and struggle to defend the Human Rights of Afrikan people in the United States and around the world. 2. We demand Reparations, or repayment for four hundred years of slavery, colonialism and oppression of our people in the United States of America. 3. We promote Self-Determination and must organize for the liberation of the Afrikan nation, held colonized in the United States. 4. We oppose Genocide or the acceptable and calculated killing of our people by individuals, institutions and organizations of the United States government, through lynching, disease, police terror and any other means. 5. We demand the release of activists who have been imprisoned because of their commitment in seeking human rights and liberation for our people. These brothers and sisters are Political Prisoners and should be recognized as such. 6. We actively struggle to End Sexist Oppression. We oppose any form of oppression that limits women from reaching their fullest potential, as manifested in our cultural, economic, political and social institutions, practices and beliefs. We actively oppose those beliefs, ideas, terms, etc. that limit the human worth of women and contribute to violations against women.

Chapter Updates
Jackson, MS: Jackson Chapter Report On February 21, 2012 the Jackson Chapter hosted a commemoration of Brother Malcolm X which was a well attended community building event with food and live performances. In April, MXGM and the Free the Scott Sisters Committee hosted a Town Hall meeting on the effects of judicial and social injustice on the family. Also in April, MXGM, the U.S. Human Rights Network and the ACLU Tougaloo College chapter hosted a community forum on Alternative Economic Development Practices. Our Tougaloo Community Garden is in its second year, and we are currently planting spring vegetables and flowers. We continue to nurture the development of the Peoples Task Force and Peoples Assembly which has focused on controversial topics thus far this year, such as publicly funded development projects in Jackson and the attempt of MS charter schools to secure public school funding. The next Peoples Assembly will be held June 9, 2011. For more information on the Jackson chapter please call Brother Akil Bakari at 601-353-4455. Philadelphia, PA: Philly Chapter Report The Philly chapter is hosting a monthly study group and dinner the fourth Sunday of every month. The New Afrikans Women Caucus is also holding a monthly study group the fourth Saturday of every month. Please contact us at mxgmphilly@gmail. com or 267-702-4590 for more information. Washington, DC: DC Chapter Report MXGM-DC is working with Heal our Hood in an attempt to rectify the problem of access to fresh and whole foods in the Washington, DC area. The goal is to diminish the amount of people who suffer and die from preventable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease due to the lack of quality food by promoting urban gardening. Poverty should not limit peoples access to healthy foods. We spent a day tilling the land and planting the seeds; we are now awaiting the harvest. Oakland, CA: Oakland Chapter Report The Oakland Chapter of New Afrikan Scouts completed our first month of sessions. We are gladly looking forward to a promising year of dynamic youth programming, trips, gardening, and other enrichment activities. Currently we are accepting applications from youth ages 7-14years old. Contact kana@ mxgm.org or (510) 473-MXGM for more information. Spring is here and we are working on our community garden plot located in South Berkeley. This will serve as the Official New Afrikan Scouts Community Garden Space, as well as an open space for community collaborations and events. Following the height of the Occupy Movement in Oakland various forces in the Black community worked to mobilize our people to take actions that will move us closer to our goals. Upon assessing that Black Liberation was not at the top of Occupys agenda, MXGM, ONYX, and a few other local organizations and individuals made and tabled our own agenda. The newly formed Black United Front (Oakland) aims to work collectively to address police misconduct/ terrorism, interpersonal violence, and the gang-injunctions. Additionally, MXGM, hosts monthly political education sessions. For more information and or if you are interested in attending a political education session contact MXGM Oakland chapter at (510) 473-MXGM or [email protected] Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Chapter Report The Atlanta chapter has an exciting and engaging Spring and Summer programs. The New Afrikan Scouts meet every Saturday at 10am-12pm. General meetings are 1st and 4th Sundays at 10am. The New Afrikan Womens Caucus meets first Saturday at 1pm. Political Education happens every 3rd Sunday at 9am. This year the Malcolm X Festival is two days, May 19th and 20th. For more information please contact the chapter by www.malcolmxfestival.com. Look out for vending, performing, and volunteering opportunities! Please join the facebook page for local updates; facebook.com/AtlantaChapterofMXGM or atlanta@ mxgm.org or by phone: 678-528-1627

The MaLcoLM X GrassrooTs MoveMenT

2 Message to the Grassroots

2012

The Year of Anti-Imperialist Solidarity

a world wide wave of revolutionary activity ranging from Tunisia, Spain, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Swaziland, England, Wisconsin, NYC and over a hundred major cities throughout the US empire and more. In many respects this wave of resistance mirrored earlier waves of global antisystemic resistance to the capitalist world system, particularly the revolutionary waves of 1791 1804, 1848 1849, 1917 1941, 1946 1951, and the last great wave of 1968 1969. The massive resistance of 2011 inspired revolutionary optimism and demonstrated once again that the masses do have the ability to liberate themselves and build just and equitable societies. However, nearly as soon as this Message to the Grassroots

2011 witnessed the eruption of

revolutionary wave commenced, the forces of imperialism and reaction also kicked in gear to contain and crush it as best they could. The first clear sign of imperialist counter-revolution was the brutal suppression of the uprising in Bahrain by the Saudi Arabian military with the complicit approval of its US imperial benefactors (who have a major military base housed there). This was followed by the illegal overthrow of the Libyan government by the US through NATO, the Gulf States (particularly Qatar) and Libyan proxies under the cover of a United Nations humanitarian mission. The reaction then gained ground in Egypt where the military regime stifled the promise of the popular uprising and collaborated with right wing Islamic forces to repress independent worker organization and the ongoing

militancy of the youth and popular movement. And now with a full on regime change proxy operation at play in Syria, and the escalation of assaults on the sovereignty of Iran, US imperialism is going into overdrive to make sure that 2012 constitutes a virtual winter for the popular uprisings that were legitimately challenging the neocolonial regimes of North Africa and Southwest Asia, and doing everything within its power to reverse the gains of the popular movements in Nepal, Venezuela, Bolivia and other South American nations, and to utterly crush the peoples wars taking place in India and the Philippines. Anti-imperialist forces throughout the US empire and the world, like the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement,

must take a firm stand against US imperialism and its lap dogs and allies like the ruling class forces in the states of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the Gulf States, and we must stand in active solidarity with the peoples movements fighting for self-determination against the neocolonial regimes and their neo-liberal policies in Haiti, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, South Africa, Senegal and throughout the Afrikan continent and the world. Free the Land! By Any Means Necessary! Kali Akuno is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of MXGM

Occupy Then & Now

This in itself is not criminal--in fact historically, we have seen a facet of the Civil Rights Movement spurred by such groups. However, in the absence of the wrong parties (in this case, the displaced lower 99% who once called these vacancies home), it soon smells of a forced gentrification. sis on Anti-Oppression. In his experience, Occupy participants stood by chanting The world is watching as he and other Troy Davis advocates were dragged off to jail--never extending a hand to pull them into the safety of their 99%. Ironically, self-proclaimed Black nationalist anarchist J.G.J was actively involved in helping to bail out Occupy activists, not because he felt wedded to the supposed 99% represented but because of the principle of liberation. Again, the result is the same, Black peoples supporting a cause and getting no support back. In effect, nothing changes for anyone. The argument of needing a racial and class privilege analysis is a pivotal one. It is the only way to ensure that none of the 99% fall prey to the thinking of the current tyrannical 1%. This begs the question, is the 99% now headed up by another 1% that is just as dangerous as the one the hip, T-shirt sporting masses are supposed to be fighting? Nicole Edwards is a member of the Washington DC Chapter of MXGM

The Occupy initiative did not start on Wall Street, nor did it begin in the nation-state of Egypt last year. In fact, occupy was a way of life for those moving to the land now known as America. It was the only way escapees from enslavement populated maroon colonies. These masses of indigenous peoples of the land now known as America and uprooted indigenous Afrikans occupied spaces from American mountains and lowlands to American basements and attics. These groups would later be called fugitives, refugees, squatters, migrants, homeless, and criminals. Why then, is the Occupy initiative not heavily populated with the very peoples that have a longstanding history in the movement? The Occupy Movement as it stands seems to demand justice for housing without addressing the source of what drives housing injustice. Groups have hijacked buildings and lots with a stasis of people who are often culturally and racially radically different from themselves.
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In classic liberal fascist chic, these participants carry the bullhorn (only where legal) while the silent homeless masses yearning to breathe free are classed out of a place to perch or protest on their own behalf. In effect, the result remains the same for those who have lost their homes or who have not been able to secure housing. MXGM member Darasia Selby provided incite as to her experience in Philadelphia: It was very clear to me that the Occupy space is a highly privileged space. People of color have to work hard to claim space. And when we did claim space we had to justify our right to do so. Another MXGM member, Brandon was involved with Occupy Wall Street. He contends that it is ...dangerous not to have a strong racial analyMessage to the Grassroots

Worse Than the Patriot Act:

Analyzing the National Defense Authorization Act

uri ng t he 20 08 presi de n t i a l cam paign, Bar ack Oba m a ra n as a candidat e who w ou l d n e ve r s u b j ect th e Amer ican peop l e t o t h e l oss o f c i vi l l i b ert ies. At t he t im e , t h e P a t ri ot A c t an d i ts sweeping pr ov i si on s w e re i n c reasi n gl y v iewed no t as t h e prot e c t i on f o r Ameri ca n cit izens, but i n st e a d a s a th r e at to the fr eedoms Am e ri c a n s h ol d d e ar. U nfo rt unat ely, in Ma y of l a st ye a r P r e si d ent Obama has ext e n de d t h e P a t ri ot A c t gui d el i nes for fo ur mor e ye a rs a n d h a s recently signed t he Na t i on a l D e f e n se A u thori zati o n Act int o law. Wh a t i s the Nat io nal Defense A u t h ori za t i on A c t? S i g n ed i nto law o n Decembe r 31st of 2011, th e N ati on al Defense Aut ho ri za t i on A c t ( N DAA ) oste nsibly allocat e s $662 bi l l i on i n a d d i ti onal go ver nment fun di n g for t h e n a ti ons d e fense abr oad. How e ve r, a cl o ser l ook at t he law reve a l s a l a rm i n g p o ten ti al for t he NDAA t o be u se d a ga i n st A m e ri can cit izens. T he ext e n si ve bi l l h a s tw o secti ons t hat hav e alre a dy dra w n t h e i r e of organiz at ions as wide ra n gi n g a s th e A meri ca n Civ il Libert ies U n i on ( A CL U ) an d th e N at ion o f Islam (NO I) . U n de r t h e h e ad i n g of co unt er- t er ror i sm S e c t i on 1 0 21 al l ow s fo r t he indefi ni t e de t e n t i on o f covered persons who a re vi e w e d a s p o ten ti al thr eat s t o t he Uni t e d S t a t e s. A covered person is defi n e d a s, A p e r s on w ho was a part of or su bst a n t i a l l y s u p p orted a l- Qaeda, t he Ta l i ba n , or as s oci ated fo rces t hat are e n ga ge d i n h o sti l i ti es ag ainst t he Unit e d S t a t e s or i t s co a l i ti on p a r t ners, includin g a n y pe rson w h o has co mmit t ed a bellige re n t a c t or h a s d i rectl y suppo rt ed suc h h ost i l i t i e s

i n a i d of suc h e n e m y f o r c e s [ e m p h a s is a dde d] . Wh a t a c t u a lly a c c o u n t s f o r w h o c a n be l a b e le d a t h r e a t r e m a in s o p e n t o spe c u l a t i o n , a s t h e la w a p p e a r s t o b e pu rpose fu lly v a g u e o n a c o n c r e t e d e fin it io n . Th e sa m e in t e n t io n a lly a m b ig u o u s la n g u a g e h a s be e n a p p lie d t o w h a t is c o n s id e r e d a be l l i ge r e n t a c t o r w h a t is a c t u a lly c on si de re d h o s t ilit ie s in a id o f s u c h e n e m y f orc e s. S e c t i on 10 2 2 a llo w s f o r t h e d e t e n t io n o f c ove re d p e r s o n s b y t h e m ilit a r y o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . I n e f f e c t , t h is m e a n s t h a t a n i n di vi du a l w h o is c o n s id e r e d a c o v e r e d pe rson c o u ld n o t o n ly b e d e t a in e d i n de fin i t e l y , b u t t h e y w o u ld b e le f t t o t h e h a n ds of t h e US m ilit a r y , w h ic h e f f e c t iv e ly n e ga t e s t he p o t e n t ia l f o r a p u b lic t r ia l. A s i m a gi n e d , t h e N DAA a n d w h a t it c a n pot e n t i a l l y m e a n t o t h e e r o s io n o f c it iz e n s ri gh t s h a s d r a w n s e v e r e c r it ic is m f r o m m a n y pe op le a n d o r g a n iz a t io n s a c r o s s pol i t i c a l l i n e s . O ba m a A d m in is t r a t io n o n t h e N DAA In t e re st i n g ly e n o u g h , it s e e m s e v e n t h e pre si de n t w h o s ig n e d t h e b ill in t o l a w , Ba ra c k O b a m a , h a s r e s e r v a t io n s a bou t w h a t t h e s t r o k e o f h is p e n c a n do. F ol l ow in g t h e la w s e n a c t m e n t , O ba m a st a t e d , I n p a r t ic u la r , I h a v e si gn e d t h i s b ill d e s p it e h a v in g s e r io u s re se rva t i ons w it h c e r t a in p r o v is io n s t h a t re gu l a t e t he d e t e n t io n , in t e r r o g a t io n , a n d prose c u t i o n o f s u s p e c t e d t e r r o r is t s . As i f t h a t st a te m e n t w e r e n t d u p lic it o u s e n ou gh , t h e p r e s id e n t t h e n w e n t o n t o sa y, M ore o v e r , I w a n t t o c la r if y t h a t m y [ e m ph a si s a d d e d ] Ad m in is t r a t io n w ill n o t a u t h ori ze t h e in d e fin it e m ilit a r y d e t e n t io n

w it h o u t t r ia l o f Am e r ic a n citiz ens . I nd eed , I b e lie v e t h a t d o in g s o wo uld b r eak with o u r m o s t im p o r t a n t t r a d itio ns and v alues a s a N a t io n . O f c o u r s e , ev en if the O b a m a a d m in is t r a t io n w o uld no t allo w the N DAA t o a b u s e o r e v is c er ate the r ig hts o f c it iz e n s , w h a t h a p p e n s when ther e is a new a d m in is t r a t io n ? M a y b e w e s h o u ld a ll b e p ay ing clo s er a t t e n t io n t o n o t o n ly w h o is r unning the c o u n t r y n o w , b u t a ls o w ho m ay hav e b e d o in g s o v e r y s o o n . Charles Evans is a member of the DC Chapter of MXGM

Message to the Grassroots

What Sistas Want

Black Feminist Twelve Point Plan
We are a collective of black feminists/womanists activists who are committed to the liberation of the black community. As black women the conditions of our lives are created by interlocking systems of oppression. As a collective we oppose all forms of oppression and are continuously working to develop our analysis to be effective allies with other marginalized communities. We created this platform to address the misconceptions about what black feminists/womanists believe, where our allegiances lie and what we want for the black community. We recognize that the problems that exists within the black community are connected to larger systems of oppression and domination. However, this document addresses those issues that disportionately affect the black community because this is the community that we as black feminists identify as our homebase and foundation. We developed this statement from a place of love and not divisiveness, as we struggle along with our brothas and black people of all genders for the safety, security, and liberation of our community. We believe that the liberation of black women is necessary and integral to the liberation of the black community and not separate from it.

WE WANT FREEDOM We believe that freedom is only possible through individual and community self-determination. In order for the black community to achieve self-determination all systems of oppression must be dismantled. We want a reformation of the criminal justice system, the abolition of the prison industrial complex and the implementation of community based models of justice and accountability. This system has routinely targeted Black folks in the form of police brutality and covert corruption in the penal system that has led to the mass incarceration of Black people. The prison system violates human rights, causes the separation of families and capitalizes off the neo-slave labor of Black and Brown bodies that has been the basis of a profitable prison industrial complex.

and profit from the reproductive capabilities of black people. The denial of reproductive justice and autonomy began during slavery and continues today in the form of sterilization abuses, purposeful prescription of harmful contraceptives, and the targeting of black women as eugenicists for demanding access to safe and legal abortions. We demand an end to the pathology and criminalization of black motherhood and families the right to affordable and safe reproductive health care for all.

We want media to reflect the diversity of who we are, to include our voices, value our bodies

and our stories. We believe that the media both mirrors and shapes society. Therefore there is a need to develop a critical eye towards our media consumption, as the media is a system that perpetuates oppression. We believe in a shared responsibility to consume, demand and create the messages and representations that truly reflect our humanity.

We want an end to all forms of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against black children. We oppose the continued removal of black children from their homes by state agencies and see it as a part of a continued assault on black families and a form of cultural genocide. Children in general, and black children in particular, are seen as less than human which makes them easy targets in a system where dependence is seen as weakness and vulnerability. Therefore, we recognize that dismantling systems of oppression that promote hierarchies of dehumanization are in the best interest of black children. Specifically we want to break the cycles of violence that exist in our communities.

We want an end to poverty and the development of an economy that benefits and provides for all people. We believe that capitalism is a destructive system that commodifies people and the planet and promotes oppression. As black feminists and working people, we want jobs with dignity and a wage that is consistent with the real costs of living and ensures all people access to basic human needs. We want an economy that treats all labor as meaningful and valuable to society. Specifically, we want an end to the devaluation of the labor of marginalized people as well as the work that is usually confined to the lowest wage job segments. We want a foreign economic policy based in equity and fair trade.

We want control over our reproductive health and believe it is essential to building and maintaining strong black communities. The United States government has, from its inception, consistently attempted to regulate, scapegoat

Message to the Grassroots

We want education for liberation that includes equitable distribution of funding, culturally relevant curriculum, community control of schools and an end to the school to prison pipeline. As Black folks we have a history of communally organized educational spaces and understand that education can be used as a tool for liberation or reinforcing systems of oppression. We want an end to curriculum centered on standardized testing and one that prioritizes the development of critical thinking and creativity.

that the sexual and gender liberation of women and queer folk are interlocking struggles that cannot be won on a fragmented front. We believe in gender self -determination and demand an end to violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people.Homophobia and other forms of hatred are the antithesis of the life-affirming communities we desire to create. We want all black people to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ people of African descent for the futures of our young people and the generations to come.

food security, safe drinking water, environmental preservation and the reduction of environmental toxins in our communities. We want an end to environmental injustices that deteriorate the health, resources and land of poor Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. We must all take part in resisting the consumerism and materialism of capitalism and instead value sustainable lifestyles and economic systems that honor ecological balance.

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We want a black community free of sexism and sexist oppression, where Black Women

can be self-determined members of their community. We believe that sexism and sexist oppression limit both individual and collective freedom, as an individuals inability to self-actualize hinders the growth of the community . People of all genders need to address ideas of masculinity, femininity, and sexual normativity that limit potential, and inspire abuse and hatred. We want our Brothas to challenge all negative assumptions and actions against Black Women. We demand for them to look upon us as allies in ending all forms of oppression, regardless of our own political affiliations i.e. Black Feminism. We also want them to see issues pertaining to Black Women as viable issues that the whole community should address, and how it is important that Black Women speak of these issues inside of our community, without retaliation. We demand our right to be recognized as autonomous and complete human beings. *This twelve point platform was created by the Black Feminist Working Group (BFWG). (Iresha Picot, Kimberly Murray, Tiamba Wilkerson, Nuala Cabral, Darasia Selby and LadiSasha Jones).

We want access to secure, equal, safe, affordable and hazard free housing (public and private), community land rights, residencies of our choice and an end to homelessness. We demand lease security, stabilized rent control, an end to discriminatory lending practices, poor shelter systems and the continuous displacement of Black and Brown folks from natural disasters and gentrification.

We want to live in a society where we can feel safe and protected.

We believe that we must work together to create safe spaces in both our homes and the public spaces our bodies occupy. We reject language that promotes hatred and fear and seek to promote healing and transformation by breaking longstanding cycles of violence in the Black community. Whether verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual, we must break the silence around all violence, and the various ways it encroaches on our daily living.

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We want an end to invisibility, violence and homophobia towards LGBTQ people in our community. We believe that sexual desire and the expression of that desire is normal, healthy , and varied and that people should be free to express their desires without fear of violence.

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We want a world where respect of the Earths resources is central to every human society and economic system. We believe that it is necessary that humanity creates, builds, and operates from the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate or above it. As womens reproductive health, the growth and development of our children and the longevity of our elders are all interconnected to the wellbeing of our environment, we believe in education and action around local sustainable agriculture and

**This document is inspired by the work and legacy of the Combahee River Collective and the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. Contact BFWG at [email protected]

A diversity of gender identities, body expressions and sexual performances is and has always been a part of the Black Diasporic community. We want protections and resources for our young people around homlessness, bullying and healthcare. We believe Message to the Grassroots

freedom fighter gallery

We demand the release of activists who have been imprisoned because of their commitment to seeking human rights and liberation for our people. These brothers and sisters are political prisoners and should be recognized as such. Here are some updates about our sheroes and heroes who were on the front lines in the struggle for New Afrikan self-determination, and now held captive behind enemy lines:

Anthony Bottom 77A4283, Attica C.F. P.O. Box 149 Attica, NY 14011-0149 Jalil Muntqim (state name Anthony Bottom), prolific writer of revolutionary theory and alleged BLA veteran, was transferred to Attica without warning in 2010, and since being there has been subject to constant harassment, as have his supporters. Visitors have been turned away for no reason, verbally harassed, had their cars broken into multiple times (with nothing taken, but photos of the visitor in question with Jalil were placed prominently on the dashboard after the incident as a warning!) and are otherwise treated badly by monsters affiliated with the prison MXGMs own Asha Bandele has cited Attica as #2 in incidents of racism and #1 in incidents of rape. Jalil can tell you better than any of us can about whats up - http://www. freejalil.com/

Herman Bell 79C0262 Great Meadow Correctional Facility 11739 State Route 22 P.O. Box 51 Comstock, New York 12821-0051 On March 21, 2012, Herman (alleged BLA veteran and codefendant of Jalil, along with the late Albert Nuh Washington) was denied Parole a fifth time by a three persyn panel consisting of a former prosecutor, a former police detective and a victims rights advocate (two white, one Black) He was transferred in June of 2011 to the notorious Great Meadow Correctional Facility last year. He can always use letters of support...

Sekou Odinga 09A3775 Shawangunk Correctional Facility 750 Prison Road Wallkill, NY 12589-0750 http://www.sekouodinga.com/whoIsSekou.html Sekou Odinga was sentenced to 30 days in keeplock, to be completed April 18th, for asking why he was brought down to the medical unit (yes, it REALLY is that fascist a system!) Shawangunk recently became a TV facility, which means that televisions are installed in every cell, WITHOUT consulting the prisoners, and in exchange, their 35lbs of food that can be sent to them a month is reduced to 20lbs a YEAR! He can always use letters of support, and feel free to congratulate him on his recent marriage to a very special someone who supports ALL our PPs / POWs from the outside!

Message to the Grassroots

freedomfightergallerycont.
titis C, and is continually denied medical care. He works on the Certain Days calendar with Herman Bell and David Gilbert - - pick one up for your fam! (http://www. certaindays.org/)

Abdul Majid #83-A-0483 Elmira Correctional Facility PO Box 500, 1879 Davis St Elmira, New York 14902-0500 Abdul was recently the subject of an unflattering article in the white supremacist Daily News (http://articles.nydailynews. com/2012-01-26/news/30664984_1_ james-dixon-york-magic-bullet-scarangella) that minimizes his effective jailhouse navigation within the legal system, his life of struggle and sacrifice for the RNA, his deep commitment to Islam and his status as one of OUR POWs. His codefendent, Bashir Hameed (who became an ancestor while in prison, on 8/30/08) isnt even given respect enough to be referred to by his chosen name. Lets remind Abdul that we remember and support him, and lets STOP supporting Nazi tabloids until they give our struggle the respect it deserves!

Marshall Eddie Conway #116469 P.O. Box 534 Jessup, MD 20794

Rev. Joy Powell,07g0632 Bedford Hills Correctional Facility PO Box 1000 Bedford Hills, NY 10507 Joy is currently appealing her August 1st murder conviction. An all-white jury convicted her based on a rap song she recorded, and the testimony of one witness that provided a totally different account of what happened than the one she gave 19 years prior, when she was initially interviewed after the decades-old crime first happened. Joys lawyer visited her twice in two years, for 40 minutes each, and was more friendly at trial with the prosecutor than her supporters. She is filing a Federal Habeas motion for the burglary and assault frame-up case that made her a PP in the first place (she was sentenced to 16 years). She remains in good spirits, and is doing what she can to keep speaking the truth publically. She was, and is, an outspoken organizer against police terrorism, specifically in the community of Rochester, where she lived. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/empresschi/2011/06/12/nu-day-resurrection-andliberation (the info on her begins about 8 minutes, 34 seconds into the broadcast)

David Gilbert, #83-A-6158 Auburn Correctional Facility PO box 618 Auburn NY 13021 Marshall Eddie Conway (BPP) and David Gilbert (RATF) have books out!!!! Write to them, let them know what you think: http://www.akpress.org/2010/items/marshalllaw https://secure.pmpress.org/index. php?l=product_detail&p=370

Robert Seth Hayes #74-A-2280 Sullivan Correctional Facility 325 Riverside Drive, P.O. Box 116 Fallsburg, NY 12733-0116 Seth was transferred in June 2011 from Wende to Sullivan, which is one of the less brutal of the NY concentration camps. He survives with Type 2 Diabetes and Hepa-

Compiled by J.gJ, of the New York Chapter of MXGM

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The murder of Black men and women is standard practice in the United States. Since only January 2012, with institutional support, police, security guards and vigilantes have murdered at least 28 Black men and women. We cannot rely on local district attorneys to end this pervasive crime against humanity. We have to demand more than investigations and individual prosecutions. We demand that the federal government institute a National Plan of Action for Racial Justice to end these murders.

1. Create a national database to document the killings of Black people by police, security guards and self

appointed peacekeepers. 2. Shift the resources of Homeland Security to jobs, education, health care, and sustainable energy and technology.

3. Establish and institutionalize local community mental health programs.

systems. Restrict taser use.

4. Eliminate Racial Profiling. Overhaul police department policies, recruitment, training and reward 5. End the mass incarceration of Black people, stop the war on drugs. 6. Challenge the cultural and legal climate that demonizes Black people and encourages racist attacks
by security guards and vigilantes. You can help by endorsing these demands and raising them to the Obama administration and all levels of government. Sign our petition to institute a National Plan of Action for Racial Justice at http://www.ushrnetwork.org/ content/webform/trayvon-martin-petition. For more information visit www.ushrnetwork.org or www.mxgm.org. Or email [email protected].
11 Message to the Grassroots

Our Pledge...

We must build the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement for Self-Determination, Self-Respect, and Self-Defense. The Black Nation charges genocide! We must Free the Land...Free the Land...Free the Land... BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!!!

MESSAGE TO THE GRASSROOTS

SEASON YEAR

Malcolm X Grassroots Movement www.mxgm.org www.facebook.com/MXGMnational

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things you can do to join the movement:

1. Write a letter to a political prisoner 2. Make a donation to the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement by visiting www.mxgm.org 3. Join the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement! 4. Get trained to be a part of a neighborhood Copwatch 5. Get trained to conduct Know Your Rights workshops in your school, church, community center, corner store. 6. Coordinate a Know Your Rights workshop in your neighborhood 7. Volunteer to help with petition signing campaigns 8. Show your support by attending an upcoming rally or protest in your area 9. Share the knowledge! Pass this newsletter on to someone else! 10. Speak your piece! Write an article for this newsletter!