From Jalil Muntaqim: Blog #21 Ballot or Bullet
[Rochester Indymedia would normally put the link to the original article here. However, it appears that Jalil Muntaqim's blog site has been removed. We are unsure why.]
Blog #21
Ballot or Bullet
I remember when El Hajj Malik Shabazz (MalcolmX) gave a speech in which he projected our struggle moving forward would be defined by either the ballot or the bullet. He explained that if it was not possible to change America for the good,subject to the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, and Black people not being hindered in casting their vote, it would be necessary to engage in revolutionary armed struggle.
Since that time, there have been revolutionary armed initiatives (BLA, WUO, FALN, SLA, NWLF, AIM, etc.), and there have been electoral initiatives, (Eldridge Cleaver running for President, Bobby Seales running for Mayor, etc.). Presently, a good friend in Rochester, New York, Emily Good, is running for Sheriff under the Green Party platform, challenging the status quo methodology of law enforcement. The issue of electoral politics as part of a revolutionary determination has often been questioned in terms of efficacy for real change, and principle in revolutionary tactics. In essence, while some would argue a contradiction in employing electoral politics to obtain real change, it should be held that electoral politics can be tactical to create a progressive environment to broaden the base for future struggle.
In this regards, I would personally like to congratulate Chokwe Lumumba in being elected Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. If there was ever a time in which progressives should applaud a victory, it is this electoral win. In contrast, I reflect upon the national accoladesfor the election of Barack Hussein Obama, which I personally felt were nisplaced (see: http://freejalil.com/poems/obama-nation.html and http://freejalil.com/poems/obama-mania-remix.html). I believe that many today recognize Obama has proved undeserving of such national accolades, especially from progressives. However, the election of Obama proved to what extent young people and progressives believe in the electoral process to change the ideological and political nature of the United States. I dare not proclaim electoral politics will substantially change the socio-economic and political character of U.S. capitalist-imperialism. However, the potential exists to create an environment to strengthen the resolve of revolutionary determination. Hence, the election of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba in a city that was a bastion of Southern racial segregation speaks volumes to such potential.
Unlike Obama, Lumumba’s political history has been one of a revolutionary nationalist, who apparently sought to manifest the words of Al-Hajj Malik Shabazz. Given this reality, it is incumbent upon progressives across the country to support Mayor Lumumba’s term in office. The support of progressives from across the country is essentia1 to Mayor Lumumba’s success, especially considering the unfortunate prospects of economic white flight from Jackson, Mississippi, a city already designated as one of the poorest in the state. Progressives should make every opportunity to bring their conventions, conferences, and national meetings to Jackson. Efforts should be made to establish innovative economic projects in Jackson, and build a base for autonomous socio-economic cooperative communities to exemplify our collective vision of a revolutionary future.
Of course, I am not under any illusion the election of one person to the office of Mayor automatically proves electoral politics is a panacea, or in and of itself revolutionary. In fact, I argue that progressives should learn from their dashed hopes for Obama’s presidency. Meaning, it is extremely important that Mayor Lumumba is held to fulfill all of his promises pursuant to his political “People’s Assembly platform.” Despite the greater likelihood state and federal authorities will employ every dirty trick in the book to undermine and disrupt Mayor Lumumba’s and the citizens of Jackson’s success; this victory is an opportunity for progressives to join in a united and uniform determination to build a substantial and sustainable movement. Obviously, the success of the “Jackson Plan: A Struggle for Self-Determination, Participatory Democracy and Economic Justice” as a possible blueprint needs to be replicated throughout the South and in Northern urban cities across the country. In this area of struggle, we certainly have nothing to lose!
In fierce struggle,
Jalil Muntaqim
Attica June 26, 2013
[Jalil Muntaqim is currently caged in Attica prison. He is scheduled to go before the parole board in June 2014. There is movement to have him released in NYS. To find out more about Jalil, please go to his website: www.freejalil.com. Free all political prisoners!]
Day one of the eviction defense for Joe Woods' house
On Thursday, September 26, 2013, the Woods Family, Take Back the Land Rochester, Metro Justice and community supporters protested the heartless policies of mass foreclosure and forced displacement of communities by the banks and foreclosure/eviction of the Woods family at 394 Webster Ave. Thursday was the first day that the City Marshal was allowed to execute the eviction. The Woods family and some community supporters are currently contemplating civil disobedience to prevent the eviction, and they will need a real crowd of supporters if they're to do this!
The Woods family home is where Glenda and Joseph have lived for 23 years and where they raised their kids. They are willing and able to pay, but Midfirst Bank will next not accept their payments. In 2009, Glenda Woods, like many during the economic crisis, became unemployed and the family had a temporary reduction in income. Although the family resolved their financial difficulties, MidFirst Bank wouldn't work with them and foreclosed on the family. MidFirst Bank is just latest company that have bought and sold their mortgage including Columbia Banking, Countrywide, Aurora, and MERS. Although the house is assessed at just $28,000, for MidFirst, their house is just an investment. For the Woods family the house means everything.
It's time to demand that Rochester be a city where Housing is a Human Right!
UPDATE: The Woods family and their supporters began an Eviction Blockade of the Woods family home on Webster Ave. on Sept. 26. What started as a front lawn blockade with Home Defenders chained to the porch and forming a chain around the front yard became an energetic celebration of resistance that spilled into a blockaded Webster Ave. that even the police wouldn't cross. The eviction is still on, but weeks later, Joe Woods is still in defiance of the greedy bank.
Report from the War Zone: Kathy Kelly
Following her extended stay in Afghanistan, peace activist Kathy Kelly returned to Rochester on Oct. 4 to relay the lessons from her time in the Middle East.
She was joined by fellow activists Buddy Bell and Cathy Breen. Bell recently returned from Afghanistan. Breen spent last winter in Iraq and Syria, where she spoke with refugees who fled to Syria from the war in Iraq, only to return to Iraq to escape civil war in Syria.
Each brought to life the human cost of these wars, and the devastation they have caused. Each called for a peaceful resolution, so the important rebuilding process can begin.
An interesting visual prop in the back of the room allowed visitors to choose how they would like their tax dollars spent by dropping beans into a jar.
Benny Warr announces federal civil rights lawsuit against police & city
On September 21, 2013, Benny Warr, Pastor Nina Warr, Charles F. Burkwit, Esq., & Enough Is Enough held a press conference announcing the filing of a federal civil rights law suit against Anthony R. Liberatore, Joseph M. Ferrigno II, Mitchell R. Stewart II, James M. Sheppard, and the City of Rochester.
The press conference took place at the Flying Squirrel Community Space.
Related Rochester Indymedia articles: Press Release for March/Rally on June 28 & Press Packet of Discovery Material | Hurry up and wait: Judge doesn't see motions papers until day of court | Police Brutality and the new Jim Crow | Rochester Indymedia checks in with the Center for Disability Rights on Benny Warr's case | Video Reportback! Enough Is Enough! Community Rally and March! | "Not Guilty!" Benny Warr Arraigned | Disabled Man Assaulted by RPD While Waiting for Bus | Flyer for Benny Warr Rally | The RPD's policies and procedures for ADA compliance: Are they doing a good job? | Have you seen these guys? | Have you seen "Big Face"? | Flyer for Benny Warr Rally on May 30th! | Dredging Up the Past on Police Union President Mike Mazzeo
Related articles: Rochester, NY Police officers Assault Disabled Man in Motorized Wheelchair | Rochester, NY Police officer Cedric Felton Remains Professional, When Asked About Incident With Disabled Man in Wheelchair Being Assaulted by RPD officers, but Female officer Has No Comment | Rochester, NY's So-Called 'Black Leaders' Silent After Disabled African-American Man In Wheelchair Is Beaten By RPD Officers | SocialistWorker.org: "My god, they're beating him" | Minority Reporter: Support Growing for Wheel-Chair-Bound Man Beaten by Police
United Christian Leadership Ministry make demands in the Brenda Hardaway case
On September 20, 2013, the United Christian Leadership Ministry held a press conference denouncing the astonishing bail increase for Brenda Hardaway as well as announcing their demands.
The press conference was held at Peace Baptist Church at 6 Oregon Street.
My statement against the Gates-Mckinsey and Co. consulting resolution August 2013
[This piece was written in early August. We know this isn't timely, but Adams speaks volumes against the privatization of education. Enjoy. Ed-]
original article: http://maryadamsrcsd.org/my-statement-against-the-gates-mckinsey-and-co-consulting-resolution-august-2013/
I oppose Resolution 32 because the funneling of a combination of Gates Foundation money and tax payer dollars into a large for-profit business advising firm located outside of our community epitomizes the surrender of local school districts to privatization. I believe that the two recently added high level management efficiency positions in the district are occupied by competent and well paid individuals who can succeed in finding relevant efficiencies and savings. In terms of long term budgeting, I have confidence that our CFO and budget professionals can do this work.
Over a decade of so called reforms based on competition, punishment, decreased educator autonomy and erosion of neighborhood schools was set in motion under No Child Left Behind. This approach has disastrously failed Rochester and urban districts across the U.S. by all reasonable observations and measures. Its continuation under Race to the top and the Regents Reform Agenda should be called out for what it is – a series of forced interventions that undermines parental and community control of our children’s education in the interest of the very rich and powerful. While “reform” resources are prescribed for schools labeled in successive iterations as failing, inadequate, etc. it is no wonder the types of “reforms” imposed have been largely ineffective — they are disconnected in many cases from experienced, successful educators and from the communities the reforms purport to fix. They are, however fabulously successful in expanding markets in pre-K – 12 education, just as intended by capital investment firms, like Parthenon – one of the five firms on the Gates-prescribed list in this grant — in their quest to privatize education in the U.S., especially in the urban centers of New York State where we have high need and relatively large amounts of money spent on education. While some of our “high costs” are explained by high needs, another dimension of the high spending paradox has to do with gov’t mandates and excess administrative costs related to the so called reform agenda.
Cycles of regressive social policy and privatization are well described in Naomi Kline’s The Shock Doctrine. The elements cycle like this: create or latch on to a crisis and use the setting of collective shock and confusion to push through radical policies that would otherwise be quickly and easily resisted by reasonable people in a democratic society; 2. Cut taxes and deregulate business, bust unions, citing the “crisis” and pretending like there are no alternative economic policy paths available ; 3. Bemoan conditions of austerity and cut public services further to the point of being unsustainable and broken. Sell off public goods at fire sale prices and welcome in profit-seeking private companies to “save” and advise the public sector. Repeat.
I think we should also acknowledge that it’s not just the “1%” that are benefitting from a system that remains in crisis. It’s obvious to an increasingly disappointed and angry public that functionaries in all roles in urban districts are complicit with a set of arrangements that produces pay checks even while educational quality is so uneven and irrational that many employees cannot convince themselves that there is enough interdependency between themselves and the institution which economically or socially sustains them to send their own children here. We are not going to escape the crisis without increasing local interdependencies and trust, and without facing down our fears on too many dimensions to begin enumerating here.
I believe that with courage, we as district leaders could decide against aligning with nicely packaged advisers who profit from us — as beneficiaries of public education dollars – under the support and guidance of strategic philanthropists like the Gates Foundation.
I know that some of my colleagues have said that they do not think that Mckinsey will consult on matters that impact instruction. I think that is incredible, first since our institution is fundamentally about instruction and secondly their work in other districts has most definitely impacted matters central to instruction such as increasing class sizes and day to day staff functioning and organization. The work Mckinsey will focus on is long term budget planning. How many times have district leaders made the statement that “a budget is a moral document, and expresses our priorities”? We here on this board should be taking responsibility for guiding the moral and practical bases of resource decisions. I do acknowledge Commissioner Powell’s amendment which makes it explicit that any material recommendations from Mckinsey consultants would require board approval. This is not sufficient to address my fundamental concerns but I am glad to see colleagues alert to the circumventive likelihoods inherent in the Gates-Mckinsey arrangement.
In terms of concrete problems with the proposed arrangement I believe there are serious conflict of interest concerns. The Gates Foundation has supported Mckinsey in setting up major infrastructures to facilitate privatization. The mass data collection and storage system established by Gates — “Shared Learning Collaborative” is now marred with controversy around the inBloom project. Mckinsey was an early partner in this project. Very recently Gates hired Mckinsey to “develop the business model and establish governing entity to succeed PARCC. “ [DoE, Fla., meeting notes Dec. ‘12]
I do not think it is appropriate for a company that managed or manages these types of infrastructures to facilitate vendors’ access to student, teacher and district data to also be in the business of advising at the key gatekeeper level of vendor access — ie a school district — on “efficiencies” strategies or budgeting. Clearly the case is being made – preeminently by the Gates Foundation — for efficiency strategies that rely on increasing the time children spend in front of computers using expensive “customized” and “innovative” software. The tradeoff of course is a smaller professional work force and fewer experienced educators and dedicated support staff with the time to build relationships with students. My belief is that it is a dangerous gamble to hope that technology will be the most important key to authentic educational engagement of our children.
Note: The resolution passed 4:2 Evans, White, Powell, Cruz in favor; Adams and Elliot against. President Evans implied my comments verged on slander since he insisted that no school board member advocates privatization. I responded to this accusation with an offer to debate and provide further explanation regarding privatization, a very legitimate topic for public debate. President Evans clarified that his comments about slander and privatization were not directed at any individual board member and that he did not wish to debate……
Video Report: State education commissioner greeted by protests
On August 28, 2013, about 60 teachers, students, parents, and community members protested outside of School of the Arts where State Education Commissioner John King held a private meeting with administrators and principals without representation from parents or teachers.
There is speculation that King might try to abolish the school board and have a state directed body take over the Rochester City School District. This would give "King John" an opening to push his privatization, neoliberal agenda.
For more information:
www.StopCommonCoreinNewYork.com
www.fixnyschools.com
Facebook: “Stop Common Core in New York State,” “Greater Rochester Opt Out,” “Badass Teachers,” New York State Parents Against High Stakes Testing”
Twitter: @StopCCSSinNYS
www.NYScape.org
www.classsizematters.org
Affronted by Affronti: Hardaway Bail Increased, Unexpectedly and Without Explanation, to $25K
Brenda Hardaway sat next to her mother on Sept. 17 in the State Supreme Court waiting for her name to be called by Justice Francis A. Affronti.
When it was called shortly after 10 a.m., Hardaway didn't expect her bail to be raised to $25,000, or that she would be taken into custody at the end of the hearing with her hands pulled behind her back. She didn't expect she would be standing before the judge as the awful sinching of metal on metal resonated throughout the courtroom.
She certainly didn't expect her face to be streaming with tears as she looked to her mother. Nor did she she expect her mother, Claire Taylor, would be crying too, as she watched her daughter being taken away in handcuffs.
And yet, that is exactly what happened.
Hardaway's case went viral on YouTube, when a video surfaced on Aug. 27, which showed multiple RPD officers attempting to arrest her brother Romengeno Hardaway. The video starts with her screaming that she's pregnant, with officer Lucas Krull behind her, attempting to handcuff her. Eventually, she is thrown into a railing, punched in the back of the head multiple times, dropped to the ground belly first, and then kneed by Krull. What began as a domestic dispute between family members escalated into a full-scale RPD brawl against the Hardaways and their family.
Later, in court, Ms. Hardaway approached the bench. The prosecution, represented by Brian Green, and Ms. Hardaway's lawyer, Erik Teifke, introduced themselves to the judge. Mr. Teifke entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client.
Ms. Hardaway is charged with second-degree assault, a felony, attempted obstructing governmental administration by means of self-defense spray device, obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a noxious material and third-degree menacing, all misdemeanors. If found guilty, she could face a maximum of seven years in prison.
At this point, Justice Affronti raised the issue of Ms. Hardaway's bail. Neither the prosecution nor the defense made a point to raise it, seeing no issue with her out of jail. Yet Justice Affronti made it a point.
Mr. Teifke made several arguments to the judge against raising her bail. He noted that she has never been convicted of a crime. She had a few ACDs in the past, but came to all of her court dates. She is pregnant, lives in Rochester, is employed, has family and friends around her—in short, Mr. Teifke argued, she was not a flight risk, nor was there any indication that she would miss court.
Mr. Teifke went on to say that she is facing a class D felony, and that even if she is found guilty, there is no mandatory prison sentence. Hence, coming to court is practically guaranteed. He also said that the rationale for raising bail was to prevent defendents from fleeing court.
Justice Affronti retorted that while consideration of a defendant fleeing court is a concern, it is not the only nor the most important criteria.
“I do have some viable concern with the potential for Ms. Hardaway to have future contact with law enforcement,” stated the judge.
At this point, Mr. Teifke said that any one of us — anyone in the courtroom that day— has the potential to have an interaction with law enforcement.
The judge dismissed Mr. Teifke's arguments and Ms. Hardaway's non-existent record, and raised her bail from $7,500 to $25,000. She was handcuffed and led away.
As this happened, Justice Affronti said, “I believe my ruling is legally justified.”
Her next court date is Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. This will be a conference and motions arguments hearing. After this, there is another hearing on Dec. 17, also at 2 p.m. Finally, if needed, a trial start date of Feb. 10, 2014 at 9 a.m.
Watch video of comments from Assistant District Attorney Brian Green after court:
Mr. Teifke, after court, refused to give an on camera statement, but did say that he was “surprised” by the judge's ruling on Ms. Hardaway's bail.
“It's a foregone conclusion that if you apply the law, then my argument should have stood. I can't understand [Justice Affronti's] reasoning,” Mr. Teifke said. “Obviously I'm worried about her health and her pregnancy. I want to make sure she gets care at the jail, but clearly being out of jail is better.”
Romengeno Hardaway has court before Judge Thomas Rainbow Morse, Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 9:30 a..m.
Enough is enough.
Dwayne Ivery Severely Beaten by RPD in his Backyard
On August 17, 2013, around 10:30PM, Dwayne Ivery wasn't expecting a severe beating meted out by Rochester Police Department officer Alexander C. Baldauf (white, 26 years old), but that's exactly what he got: a fractured nose, seven large, throbbing knots on his face and head, a bone fracture or bone chip in his right elbow, eyes swollen shut, beat into unconsciousness twice, kicks to the back of the neck, and a stomped face while his shirt was over his head and he was handcuffed. All this while another officer, who was African American, remained silent as the pummeling was occurring.
Earlier in the evening, there was a domestic dispute between Ivery and his girlfriend. The police were called. The surveillance video, from Ivery's house on East Main St. near the bus terminal, shows the two working together carrying items from her car to his truck. After the police arrived and found out what was going on, things remained calm and Ivery and his girlfriend continued to move his belongings to his truck.
According to Ivery, he owns the truck where the belongings were being put, but it's registered in her name. She told the officers that she wanted the license plates from the truck. The video shows her and officer Baldauf going to the front of the truck and removing the plates as Ivery was behind the truck speaking with the African American officer. The officer he was speaking with said it would be OK for him to get his TVs from her home. He told the officer, “Cool,” and proceeded to walk calmly toward his girlfriend and officer Baldauf in front of the truck.
Ivery asked officer Baldauf, “Is it alright for one of you guys to go with me and get my TVs?”
Officer Baldauf stood up and told him, “I thought I told you not to saying anything!”
At this point, Ivery said, “What?” somewhat incredulously as officer Baldauf grabbed his hand. According to Ivery, no such warning had been issued before. He pulled his hand away from the officer and moved away toward the backyard. The officer gave chase, landing a punch across Ivery's face sending him down. Baldauf jumped on top of him and began violently punching Ivery in the face and head. As this was happening, the African American officer also jumped on Ivery and locked him in handcuffs before stepping back. During the initial attack, his shirt got half way over his head and blinded him. As he was being punched and kicked, he went unconscious, twice. When he woke the after the second time, officer Baldauf had his boot on the side of Ivery face crushing down. Ivery screamed. He knew the other officer was around and called out.
“Why are you letting his happen?!” Ivery screamed at the African American officer who was near by and silent.
He said he heard his girlfriend in the background screaming for the officers to stop hurting him.
Weakly, the officer said, “Alright, alright, that's enough,” to officer Baldauf who stopped beating Ivery after a few more punches.
Ivery was arrested and charged with harassment in the 2nd degree and resisting arrest. He was initially taken to Rochester General Hospital at the insistence of the sergeant who arrived later and was then taken to jail after he repeatedly said he did not like the treatment he was getting. He was booked around 1:00AM and bailed out around 3:00AM. Later that day, August 18, he went to Strong Memorial Hospital.
Because of the attack, Ivery is in an arm brace and wears sunglasses because his eyes are so sensitive to light due to head trauma. He also has near fainting spells and gets dizzy and tired often. He is currently seeing a neurologist.
His next court date is September 24, 2013 in Judge Rainbow Morse's court at 1:30PM.
Enough is enough.
"No War With Syria" is Rochester's Message
Forty or so local activists gathered in front of the US Federal Building on September 13 2013 to send a strong message to Senators and Representatives inside. "We do not want war with Syria." The rally was organized on short notice by Metro Justice and co-sponsors were Rochester Against War and Band of Rebels. It had been feared that the US might already be at war by that date, but that has been forstalled, hopefully permanently, by a peace proposal initiated by Russia.
More petitions to be delivered to congress but are they even listening?
Over 90 percent of the US population is against involvement in another mideast war. Opposition crosses all economic, political and idealogical lines. People are more concerned with the deficit, the environment, education, housing and health care. The money would be better spent at home. Yet both of New York's senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand favor an attack on Syria. Louise Slaughter, representative for most of Rochester, is undecided.
With such opposition amongst citizens why is anyone in favor of this war? This piece which recently appered in Rochester Indymedia may help answer that question. Perhaps a bigger question we should be asking is do we still even have a functioning democracy? Many including former president Carter, believe we do not.
http://rochester.indymedia.org/node/99669
Passing cars honked their horns in support of the protesters. One driver even stopped and offered cash to a demonstrator to support the cause. How often does something like that happen at an antiwar rally?
Mike Connelley of Rochester Against War wears a T-shirt reminding us that war crimes are war crimes whether committed by a Republican or Democratic president. Many in mainstream media have criticized President Obama for his efforts at peace. Will Barack Obama be remembered as the next John F Kennedy or the next George W Bush?
