Interview with Rev. Edward Pinkney

In 2000 the citizens of Benton Harbor, MI, who were tired of police abuse and bad government decided to begin a campaign of Court Watching. This old, American tradition of monitoring Judges and unclean government infuriated the powers that be. Benton Harbor happens to be the corporate headquarters of Whirlpool, the global manufacturer of appliances, which has been buying up the town, cheap, by intimidating and dispossessing the citizens with police abuse.

The Court Watching program, created by the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO), turned up good evidence that corruption was rampant and this evidence was in conjunction with their feudal, corporate state. When BANCO put together an effective recall of the City Commissioners, the old-boys fought back with criminal charges against the leadership, Rev. Edward Pinkney. Not disuaded by the arrest of Rev. Pinkney, BANCO moved ahead and not only recalled four of five Commissioners, but won the four seats in the August 2nd Special Election.

With this great victory over Whirlpool and the corporate state, the citizens of the city now can begin to spend their tax monies on things that matter.

Donations are still needed for Rev. Pinkney's legal defense fund and BANCO's future projects. Please mail checks to;
BANCO
1940 Union St
Benton Harbor ,MI 49022
(269)925-0001

Running Time 50:30