Washington, D.C. – A newly-formed Black coalition has announced a rally and march on the White House to take place November 7, 2009 beginning in Washington, D.C.’s historic Malcolm X Park. The rally and march are to protest the expanding U.S. wars and other policy initiatives that unfairly target African and other oppressed people around the world. Known as the Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations, the coalition formed on September 12, 2009 during a meeting in Washington, D.C. of more than fifteen activists from various Black organizations, institutions and communities.
The Black is Back Coalition aims to draw upon the support of many of the leading anti-imperialist organizations, journalists, organizers, artists and scholars of the African world. In this age of Obama, the rally and march on November 7, 2009 aim to bring back the tradition of resistance historically associated with Black communities around the world. Comprised of seasoned veterans of Black political struggle, including members of the African People's Socialist Party, the NAACP, MOVE, the Green Party, Black Agenda Report and many other grassroots organizations and efforts, this coalition is perfectly situated to do just that.
As the coalition's Call to Action states, "Many well-meaning people in this country and around the world are afraid to take more progressive political positions for fear of being seen as anti-Black…We need to remind people of the absolute lack of 'progress' since new faces assumed leadership of this nation. Many of the leading concerns of Black people, Latinos and working people in this country remain insufficiently addressed. Black and Brown people continue to suffer the brunt of un/under-employment and predatory loan scandal crises. Military spending under Obama has increased as have the warfare this nation continues to export to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Venezuela and Colombia. Mass incarceration, police brutality and political imprisonment remain rampant and the most negatively impacted by the levee breech in post-Katrina New Orleans continue to be without homes, jobs or health care assistance. And to that point, these are precisely the communities who nationally will be the most negatively affected by yet another myth of health care 'reform.'"
The political paralysis now being experienced by anti-war and other progressive movements stems from the lack of a Black-led anti-imperialist movement to off-set the traps set by Obama’s so-called “post-racial” politics that facilitate the same oppressive militarist agenda well known during the Bush regime. Black is Back is not simply a slogan for the African Diaspora but for all progressive struggles which have historically benefited from Black-led movements. On November 7, 2009 beginning promptly at 10am, all are welcome to participate in the rally and march which will include many speakers and performers of the coalition. They will stand and demonstrate in political solidarity announcing the return to leadership of the world's most reliably anti-war and pro-social justice communities. As the coalition says, "To free our people’s hopes and dreams from oblivion, we need a coalition dedicated to the proposition that Black is Back!”
Black is Back Steering Committee:
Omali Yeshitela, APSP – Chair
Ayesha Fleary, AADEP – Secretary
Yaa Asantewa Ohema, NCOBRA – Fundraiser
Jared Ball, Vox Union Media – Media Coordinator
Rosa Clemente, Green Party – Program Coordinator
Efia Nwangaza, Malcolm X Center Self Determination – Recruitment Coordinator
Chioma Oruh, ASI North America – Outreach Coordinator
Ousainou Mbenga, APSP – Logistics Coordinator
Rich Piedrahita, APSP – Graphic Designer/Web site Manager
Riley Hamilton, Uhuru Radio – Web site Manager
Other Members of the Black is Back Coalition:
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
Cynthia McKinney, Green Party
Pam Africa, Free Mumia Campaign
Chimurenga Waller, InPDUM
Stic Man, Dead Prez
M-1, Dead Prez
Abdul Alim Musa, Masjed al-Islam
Omowale Kefing, The Burning Spear newspaper
Ona Zene Yeshitela, APSP
Curtis Gatewood, NAACP in North Carolina
Netfa Freeman, SALSA
Naji Mujahid, BAPO
Ron Reynolds, KPFT Pacifica Houston
Shannon McCollum, Filmmaker
Omowale Adewale, G.A.M.E.
Jahahara Amen-RA Alkebulan-Ma'at, FONAM
Luwezi Kinshasa, ASI
Raheal Rayza, University of Toronto Outreach Coordinator
Chakanda Gondwe, Toronto Community Outreach Coordinator
Norman Richmond, Toronto Community Organizer
Kali Akuno, MXGM
Sister Heart Olevette, DC Outreach Organizer
Remy Johnson, Syracuse University Outreach Coordinator
Priest Hemnetcher, Howard University Outreach Coordinator
Diop Olugbala, Philadelphia Outreach Coordinator
Kobina Bantushango, St. Petersburg Outreach Coordinator
Oronde Takuma, New York City Outreach Coordinator
Jamye Wooten, Kinectics of Tubman City (Baltimore)
