Author Archives: Biko

S.C. Labor Activist Joins the Ancestors-Mary Ann Moultrie (1942-2015)

Mary Moultrie 2-1Not widely known outside of South Carolina, Charleston labor leader Mary Moultrie passed on April 27. Mrs. Moultrie made significant contributions to the workers struggle in Charleston starting with her leadership of the 1969 strike of hospital workers. Her work reveals both the connection of the civil rights movement to the labor movement and the too often hidden role of women’s leadership. Oral historian and Labor activist Kieran Taylor provides a brief look at this Black working class hero and shares resources about the strike and the life of this remarkable women.

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32nd Annual MLK Support for Labor Banquet

The annual event that commemorates the death of Dr. King and highlights his support for  workers will be held on this Saturday, April 11 at 6PM at the NCAE Building located at 700 Salisbury Street. The guest speaker will be Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The theme, “Reclaim Dr. King’s Legacy of Resistance: Black Lives Matter/Stop the War on Black America”was selected because it captures the horrible reality we are facing and suggests a way forward. The murders just keep on coming. The world is watching the video of a white police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina gun down a fleeing Walter Scott, a 50 year old 2015 banquet flyer.colorAfrican American man. He was stopped for a minor traffic infraction.

Self-Determination Awards will be given to Elandria Williams (cooperative economic development), Robert Dawkins( police accoutability), Milton Pitt & Shafeah M’Balia (worker/member) and Mari Caldwell & Ajamu Dillahunt-Holloway (youth activist).

The Banquet will feature cultural presentations by BWFJ’s Fruit of Labor Singing Ensemble and Durham based “Artivist” Pierce Freelon. You can call 919 829-0957 for ticket information or buy your tickets here

 

 

Wilson pulled the trigger but the US system killed him

A statement by the Black Left Unity Network (BLUN)

Stop the War on Black America!

Drawing by Malcolm Goff

Drawing by Malcolm Goff

We are all shocked and saddened by the brutal cold blooded murder of a young Black man, Michael Brown, 18 years old in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis.  But it was not an accident or something that was abnormal.  NO!  It is the system, its normal for this society to kill Black people and it’s got to stop.

The system killed Oscar Grant (Oakland, California: January 1, 2009)
The system killed Trayvon Martin (Sanford, Florida: February 26, 2012).
The system killed Eric Garner (New York, New York:  July 17, 2014).
Now it has killed Michael Brown (Ferguson, Missouri: August 9, 2014)

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Black Communities Condemn the Israeli Assault on Gaza and the Occupation of Palestinian Territories

In early July the Israeli government launched an attack on Gaza and its residents called Operation Protective Edge. The militarily superior Israeli Defense Fund has killed nearly 1,900 Palestinians including 415 children. The poorly equipped resistance movement has reportedly killed only 64 soldiers and 3 civilian Israelis.

Black activists and organizations have, like millions around the globe, raised their voices in protest and in solidarity with the Palestinian people.  As union members, as human rights activists and people of conscience, African Americans have expressed their horror at the bombings that have killed and maimed so many and led to a humanitarian crisis. The long termed economic blockade maintained by the Israelis has been worsened by the destruction of thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and water resources. What has been called an “open air prison” of nearly 2 million Palestinians remains under siege in spite of periodic “cease fires.”

Black Progressives have called for others to participate in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) aimed at Israel. The Black Workers for Justice  (BWFJ) has endorsed the demand of Labor for Palestine10533739_10204127783212940_8330770264269989281_n calling for “the UN and governments across the world to take immediate steps to implement a comprehensive and legally binding military embargo on Israel, similar to that imposed on South Africa during apartheid. The Global African news program has examined why there has been a deafening silence among some Black  leaders and organizations on this human tragedy.

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General Baker-Presenté

This is a tribute to General Baker written for BWFJ members by his long time friend Saladin Muhammad.

General Baker: A Working-class Fighter Who Challenged and Gave Capitalism Hell!
 General Baker
General Gordon Baker, known as “Gen” and “Iceberg” by some, a Black working-class revolutionary, founding member and rank-and-file leader of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, leader of the League of Struggle for a New America and friend and comrade to many throughout the U.S. and internationally has transitioned.

Gen will be remembered for his humor, honesty, uncomplicated political clarity, courage of struggle and love for his family. I last spoke to Gen on Wednesday May 14, and in his usual way he tried to deflect the critical nature of his health struggle, saying “I’m trying to hold on brother” with a hint of laughter. We didn’t talk long. I told him that I will check in later and he said “spread the love to all of the comrades.” As long as I have known Gen, he always left me with something that reflected the importance of struggle and comrades.

We will miss this field General, who for so many of us was an example of leadership and humility that we want and need to follow.

To Sister Marian, the kids and grand kids who Gen and Marian care for even with their busy movement schedules, we know that this is a GREAT loss that can never be replaced.

For many of us, we know that – We will see Gen in the Revolutionary Whirlwind!

Saladin Muhammad