A Black Panther member and author of two books, Blood in My Eye and Soledad Brother, George Jackson was killed by prison guards while serving his term in San Quentin prison on August 21, 1971. A year earlier, his brother Jonathan Jackson was killed for taking hostage a courtroom to demand the freedom of his brother and five other San Quentin prisoners. Black August originated from these events to honor the fallen, and it spread into a practice of self-reflection and self-determination in the black resistance movement, particularly within prison.
Following is an interview with Kazi Toure, ex-political prisoner and co-chair of the Jericho Movement about Black August history and the current struggles against the prisoner industrial complex.
LISTEN TO AUDIO (from What's Left, on WMBR, 88.1FM):
Celebrating Black August: From the Streets to the Prison Resistance
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
On August 18, in celebration of the honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey and in recognition of Black August, Voices of Liberation raised a Red Black and Green Pan-African Liberation flag on City Hall Plaza in Boston. A ceremony took place inside of City Council Chambers.
On August 30, featuring Askia Toure and Riders Against the Storm, Codman Square in Dorchester, 5:00-9:00 pm.
September 14: On September 14th, folks from all over will come together in the spirit of fitness and social justice. People inside and outside the prison walls will be taking part in Running Down the Walls, a 5k to raise funds for 1010, a national mobilization calling for freedom for U.S.-held political prisoners and prisoners of war. Our goal is to raise $2,000, as well as raise consciousness and mobilize our communities to liberate these Freedom Fighters. Please come down to the pond, where we will be getting in shape together and providing much needed resources for our comrades. Snacks and water will be provided to all participants. Please bring something to share for lunch!
On October 10, 2008 there will be a national mobilization in New York City calling for amnesty and freedom for all US-held political prisoners and prisoners of war. 10/10 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Jericho '98 march in Washington, DC. Like Jericho ’98, the aim of
10/10 is not just to get people out to the march, but to gather folks together to build a lasting relationship and strategize on how to get political prisoners and prisoners of war free, and to continue their and our struggle for justice and freedom.
To celebrate 10 years of Critical Resistance, thousands will converge once more, September 26-28, 2008, in Oakland, California, for CR10, a 10th Anniversary Celebration and Strategy Session. In September 1998, thousands gathered in Berkeley, California, for conference that founded Critical Resistance’s movement to abolish the prison industrial complex (PIC). Each participant, with their own experiences of oppression and resistance, watched as diverse struggles were unified: by humanity, hope, and the shared vision of a different world. There will an affinity group from Boston going to this event... More to come soon!
