Rally Defends Community Leader
By Abayomi Azikiwe
Benton Harbor, Mich.
Published May 28, 2005 9:31 AM
Activists from various Michigan cities and Chicago came to this
predominantly African American city in the southwest region of Michigan
on May 21 to express support for a community leader, the Rev. Edward
Pinkney, who is facing prosecution on four felony charges and a
misdemeanor. If convicted, he could face 20 years in prison.
Berrien County prosecutors filed the charges against Pinkney in the
aftermath of a successful recall election Feb. 22. The recall removed
Commissioner Glenn Yar brough, brother of the former mayor and a
supporter of Police Chief Samuel Harris. County officials claim that
Pinkney engaged in voter fraud by buying off people to support the
recall and influencing individual voters.
Pinkney, executive director of the Black Autonomy Network of Community
Org anizers in Benton Harbor, has been an outspoken critic of the local
political establishment and corporate elite. His supporters cite the
history of racism and police brutality directed toward the people of
Benton Harbor as the underlying cause of the city’s economic plight.
Years of deprivation and poverty reached a boiling point in 2003. That
June, the people of Benton Harbor rose up in a rebellion that lasted
for three days. The governor called in the state police against them.
The 2003 outbreak occurred after the death of a young African American
man who was chased on his motorcycle by the Berrien County police.
These developments drew national and international media coverage.
The May 21 rally, which took place at the Benton Harbor Public Library,
was held in response to the April 18 arrest of Pinkney. Members of
various organizations atten ded. These include the Michigan Emer gency
Committee Against War & Injustice, Michigan Welfare Rights
Organization, Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, League of
Revolutionaries for a New America, Michigan Green Party and the
National Lawyers Guild.
Pinkney thanked the people who came out from the local community and
through out the region. Reading from the BANCO mission statement, he
said the organization exists “to help or force Ber rien County to
administer justice with fairness, equality and integrity. To resolve
matters for our community and in the courts in a timely manner … to
provide courtesy and proper service in a manner that is for public
trust and confidence.
“What we have now is that we are fighting a war,” Pinkney said. “It is
the haves versus the have-nots. It’s the rich against the poor. We are
here today to tell you that we are not going to take this anymore. This
is just the beginning. This thing is bigger than what they think it is.”
Marian Kramer, co-chair of the Michi gan Welfare Rights Organization
from Highland Park, asked those who came from Detroit to stand. She
recognized MECAWI activist and labor leader David Sole for coordinating
the transportation to Benton Harbor for the rally.
“Highland Park is a battleground area. Detroit is a battleground area,”
Kramer said. “They claim that we have democracy in this government we
live under in the United States. But as soon as you make a step to
defend your democracy in regard to what is happening here with the
recall campaign, they tell you that you do not have the right to do
that. As soon as you move to exercise those rights you find out that it
is democracy for the rich, and not for us.
“When injustice raises its ugly head we as members of the working class
are going to be here to stomp it down,” she concluded.
After the meeting, there was a spirited march around the Benton Harbor
police station. Demonstrators chanted, “What do we want? Justice! When
do we want it? Now!” and, “Hands off Rev. Pinkney!”
Pinkney appealed for ongoing support for his case. His defense lawyer
has filed a motion with the court for a reconsideration of the charges.
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office has 14 days to respond.
Azikiwe is editor of the Pan-African News Wire.
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