March for Social Justice Demands an End to War on the Black Community

This fall, activists in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Oakland, California; and St. Petersburg, Florida will take to the streets demanding justice and reparations for the African community. Calling for an end to “America’s Other War,” they hope to raise awareness about unjust imprisonment, police brutality, economic embargo, substandard education and the destruction of black communities through gentrification.

Marchers will get sponsors and raise funds for the Uhuru (Swahili for “freedom”) Movement, a black rights group advocating African self- determination and economic development. From its centers around the country, the Uhuru Movement operates programs including wellness education forums, fitness gyms, after-school tutoring and youth sports teams. The group is known for its vocal campaigns in defense of black democratic rights. It has popularized the African reparations demand and is presently building an international organization uniting Africans for a liberated and developed Africa.

In Philadelphia, the March for Social Justice will take place on Saturday, October 16th in University City, a section of West Philadelphia so named in what March organizers charge is a University of Pennsylvania-led effort to gentrify the traditionally black working class neighborhood. They are demanding an end to unjustified police shootings of African men, citing the June killing of Haile Payne, who was shot 28 times by police while handcuffed behind his back.

In Oakland, the march kicks off from Lake Merritt on Saturday, October 23rd. Gather at MacArthur and Grand, across from Gold's Gym at 10:30am. A rally will occur in the same place when the March concludes at the same area. The African and Mexican populations have long been a majority in that city and are demanding an end to the privatization and closing of public schools and the notorious California prison system for its abusive conditions and forced labor.

St. Petersburg’s march on Sunday, November 7th takes place 5 days after the U.S. presidential election. Organizers say that regardless of who wins that race, the urgent demands for economic development and democratic rights for the African community require public support. St. Petersburg’s south side was the site of another round of civil disobedience this year after police killed a 17-year-old unarmed motorist. While land speculators are buying up property and driving out long-time African residents, over 70% of the city’s black population lives below the federal poverty level.

The 5K marches are being coordinated by the African People’s Solidarity Committee (APSC), a wing of the Uhuru Movement that seeks to organize white people in support of the movement for black rights. According to APSC Chairwoman Penny Hess, "It’s not enough to vote against Bush or march against the war in Iraq. White people are the beneficiaries of an ongoing war against the African community right here in the United States. It’s time for honest white people to stand up and support the rights of black people to the same positive self-determined future that we want for our own children."

To register to participate in the March for Social Justice or sponsor a marcher and contribute to the Uhuru Movement, call 510-625-1106, email uhurureparations@yahoo.com or visit www.marchforjustice.net.