Black August is a time of remembering the plight of freedom fighters, who are imprisoned "behind enemy lines," who have given their lives to the cause of Black and oppressed people being free from the shackles of capitalistic slavery – people like George Jackson, Jonathan Jackson and Khatari Gaulden, to name a few. More people whose contributions will be honored during Black August '05

Many people observe Black August by fasting from sun up to sun down on all the days of August except on the martyr days: Aug. 2, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, which are days when some fast completely. Exercise, organizing, and study are also intensified.

In Oakland, Black August ‘05 was celebrated with two public events. The first event was on August 17th at 2232 Martin Luther King Way in Oakland. There were African dancers, Taiko drummers, Polynesian dancers and Pomo dancers, among the many acts that were scheduled to perform. The second event took place on August 21st at 1933 Broadway in Oakland. Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. of the POCC (Prisoners of Conscience Committee), Pam Africa, dead prez, and Rico Pabon of Prophets of Rage were some of the people featured at this 12-hour concert/forum. It was planned to be a place where people could bring their friends and family to a revolutionary event where "everybody is destined to learn something as well as find out how they can get involved." Pam Africa also spoke in San Francisco on August 19th. A major hip hop show and a Black August Film Festival were held in New York this month.

Tickets for Black August ‘05 could purchased at various locations around the Bay. | Read more | Black August Organizing Committee | BlackAugust.net | Black August's 25th Anniversary