Saturday, January 18, 2014

BANCO Justice Fund Dinner - Oct 5, 2013

YOU ARE INVITED on behalf of the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO) to our JUSTICE FUND DINNER on October 5, 2013, in Benton Harbor, Michigan!
 
Our special guest speaker will be actor and political activist DANNY GLOVER, the famed "Lethal Weapon" and "Color Purple" star who is also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

 
   
WHERE: Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
WHEN: October 5, doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the Justice Fund Dinner starts at 7:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: Tickets are $50 dollars per guest
 
The Justice Fund Dinner is a fundraising event to enable BANCO Organization to continue helping people in Benton Harbor and across the country. Director Rev. Edward Pinkney and BANCO members:
  • Led the 2012 “Occupy the PGA” protest against Benton Harbor’s loss of self-autonomy under an appointed emergency financial manager, who set aside all duly-elected city council members and began selling public lands
  • Lead a quest to stop gentrification - the attempt to drive out African Americans
  • Help clear innocent people from serious criminal charges and oppose courthouse corruption that unfairly targets African Americans and indigent Anglos for imprisonment
  • Promote mutual respect, personal and public accountability by individuals in the community, government, and organizations   

 



Rev. Pinkney leads the "Occupy the PGA protest" for social and economic justice.






The banquet will also honor the Black Farmers of America with Rev Al Sampson, dedicated to bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to inner city “food deserts,” areas where residents have no supermarkets.

Rev. Sampson was ordained by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1966. He earned his master's degree in cultural studies from Governors State University in 1973 and his master's of divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1977. He also worked with the Reverend James Bevel to help organize Resurrection City for King's Poor People's Campaign. Sampson is president of the National Black Farmers Harvest and Business Trade Cooperative and stresses the Black community's economic development.



Benton Harbor is located in Southwest Michigan, along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. It is the first city in the U.S.A. where the democratic process has been set aside and duly elected officials were replaced by an emergency financial manager appointed by the governor in March 2011. Joseph Harris immediately suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor's elected city officials, who can hold meetings but are not allowed to govern. The Michigan AFL-CIO president called the move "sad news for democracy in Michigan." Benton Harbor's racial makeup is 93% African American and 5% White, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. The per capita income for the city is just $9,000, the lowest in Michigan, and 43% of the population live below the poverty line. Across the lake in Benton Harbor's "twin city," St. Joseph, the population is roughly 90% White and 5% African American, and only 4% of the families live below the poverty line.


Segregation and economic injustice must end in the 
21st century!

We are making a request to every person who believes in justice to come and support the City of Benton Harbor and BANCO. Enjoy the opportunity to have a delicious dinner with actor-activist Danny Glover, Rev. Pinkney, and Rev. Sampson, great voices for justice and human rights. If for some reason you cannot attend the Justice Fund Dinner, please give a donation to BANCO Organization, 1940 Union Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Danny Glover brought fans to their feet when he addressed guests at the city of Tampa employees' Black History Committee's 25th anniversary Scholarship Gala. Glover told nearly 300 guests not to fear the past, but to celebrate historic economic, education and voting acts that changed their lives (Tampa Bay Times). He gave a rousing speech at Occupy Wall Street in 2011 http://youtu.be/vSc7MDtJm4c . BANCO is honored to have him lend his voice to economic and social justice in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Rev. Al Sampson: A Voice with Action - African American Registry
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/rev-al-sampson-voice-action

For more information about the Justice Fund Dinner, please email Rev. Pinkney at banco9342@sbcglobal.net, and visit BANCO online at http://www.bhbanco.org/


Danny Glover

Friday, January 10, 2014

Let's Organize the Hood Conference and Concert (Memphis) Jan. 18-19, 2014


Let’s Organize The ‘Hood!
Black Youth & Hip-Hop Activist
Community Organizing Conference


Saturday, January 18, 2014
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Java Complex, 
1423 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN

Free workshops and training on Hip-Hop Activism,
Organizing Against Poverty, Unemployment, Police Brutality,
And More

The conference is free. Donations are welcomed.
For more information, see www.facebook.com/events
Phone: (901)674-8430
Free Concert
Let’s Organize The ‘Hood!

Black Hip-Hp & Cultural Artists


Sunday, January 19, 2014
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Java Complex, 1423 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tenn.

The concert is free. Donations are welcomed.
Sponsored by the Memphis Black Autonomy Federation

JoNina Abron-Ervin posted in Let's Organize The 'Hood Black Youth & Hip-Hop Activist Community Organizing Conference
JoNina Abron-Ervin
JoNina Abron-Ervin
8:33am Jan 10 - We're a week away from the conference (January 18, 2014 - see address above), and Black Autonomy Federation members are excited about the opportunity to begin training our young people as community organizers. Poor, low income and working class black folks in America are facing a deep crisis. We need a new generation trained to lead the fight against black poverty, unemployment, police brutality, mass imprisonment and other issues. No one can lead us but us. We are the ones we've been waiting for!

Please email Black Autonomy Federation
organize.the.hood@gmail.com or call us at (901)674-8430 if you are coming to Memphis from out-of-town and have questions or need any information about lodging.