The Struggle Continues...

On Monday, January 19^th, People Against Police Violence sponsored "A Doer, NOT a Dreamer" - a service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the St. Benedict the Moor Church in the Hill District. Speakers celebrated the life of King and other heroes of the Civil Rights movement while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done today. Renee Wilson, Director of PAPV, led the program with an address claiming that the Civil Rights movement isn’t dead – it’s asleep because this generation is asleep. "I challenge everyone here to make a difference," said Wilson emphasizing a commitment to our children, getting to know and care about our neighbors, and getting back to values. "In every struggle in America, it was the people who made change," she said in closing.

Nathaniel Glosser, President of the Rosenberg Institute for Peace and Justice, discussed the general atmosphere of fear and loathing that is currently in our midst, crossing lines of skin color and religious beliefs. "Stand in unity for what this country should be about," he urged.

Local artist Dessie Bey read her inspiring poetry and Shana Wilson, Miss Black Teenage America, performed a lovely musical selection on the piano. Special presentations honored Verma Wills, Diana Baker and Dolores Cannon of Parents on the Move as well as Cookie Coleman, a retired Pittsburgh police officer.

Harvey Adams, lifelong civil rights leader, was recognized as another leader of today. As a Pittsburgh Housing Authority officer, he perennially pursued fairness for black cops in their struggles with hostile superiors. A community activist and NAACP local chapter president for 16 years, Adams has organized and participated in dozens of campaigns for racial and economic justice. "Don’t be afraid to clench you fist," he said, "It’s a sign of resistance." The audience raised clenched fists in solidarity. Adams spoke of looking beyond race to where our commonalities meet, drawing in those led astray to teach them that there’s a better way.

Larry Davis, CEO of Coalition for Fathers and Families, reminded us that King didn’t fight for the right for us to kill one another – that we must fight for the right not to be victimized. Council President Gene Riccardi made an appearance to salute all the groups working on justice issues for their diligence.

Sanjulo Ber and Gordon Everett of the Black Radical Congress also addressed the crowd. "We must uphold the principals that Martin Luther King stood on," urged Ber, "the fight for justice - economically, politically and socially." He continued to explain that the whole system of private ownership must change. "That we would ever find justice under this system is idealistic and Martin understood that," he said. Everett made connections between King’s struggle and political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Vietnam anti-war movement, present-day peace efforts and the suffering of the Iraqi people.

Members of the National Coalition Of Blacks for Reparations in America spoke of the slavery that continues today. Rev. Tom Smith from Monumental Baptist Church gave the invocation and benediction.

- Marie Skoczylas

 
Harvey Adams (left), lifelong civil rights leader. The crowd applauds presentations made to the "leaders of today" at the PAPV Martin Luther King service at St. Benedict the Moor Church. (Photos by Marie Skoczylas)

PAPV Remembers Dr. King

About 85 people rallied in 18 degree weather in the Hill District and Downtown today, calling on District Attorney Zappala to prosecute zealously several cases of police murders of African Americans in the Pittsburgh area in the last few years.

One case, that of Michael Ellerbe, involved an unarmed 12 year old boy. Running from police, Ellerbe was shot from behind in Uniontown. His case has yet to be prosecuted.

The parents of another victim of police violence, Bernard Rogers, were present today. Rogers was killed during a "confrontation" with Pittsburgh Housing Authority police on November 15, 2002, allegedly under suspicion that he was selling marijuana. He has not been determined to have committed any crime. Ballistics evidence shows that he was shot at a downwards angle from behind, most likely when running away from police, evidence that contradicts the testimony of co-conspiring police officers.

People Against Police Violence founder Renee Wilson said that the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King has been watered down since his death in 1968. Action has been replaced with prayer breakfasts, she said. "We all are [potential] civil rights activists."

The event began with a rally in front of St. Benedict the Moor Church, at Freedom Corner in the Hill District and was followed by a march to the downtown District Attorney’s office, ending with another short rally.

- Pittsburgh IndyMedia

 
 
Protestors chant "No Justice, No Peace" and "Racist cops, you can't hide, we charge you with genocide" at the march from Freedom Corner to the District Attorney's office. Renee Wilson (bottom left) director of PAPV, addresses the crowd. A member of the bucket brigade (top right) drums along to the chanting. (Photos by Marie Skoczylas)