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Public Statement Concerning Black August Events<br><br>
From The Family<br><br>
<br><br>
This year marks the 26th anniversary of Black August, an event that was
first organized in 1978 as a memorial to both commemorate the tremendous
sacrifices of Jonathan and George Jackson, Khatari Gaulden, Nat Turner,
Assata Shakur, and celebrate the revolutionary actions of these radical
figures as well as provide a platform for a future generation of
continuing resistance. For oppressed peoples all over the planet and
their allies, the torrid month of August is to fuse our reflection and
rage, courage, conviction, and ACTION. 98 degrees in the shade!<br><br>
The Black August movement was set off by the counter-totalitarian
organization founded by George Jackson, the Black Guerrilla Family, out
of the need to create an above ground expression of the shared
convictions that led those of us with the requisite courage at the
appropriate historical moment to fight and sometimes die during
definitive acts - historically linking Turner’s Southampton rebellion in
1831 and the Marin Courthouse 1970 takeover.<br><br>
As the leader of a Prisoner’s Rights Movement during the Sixties, George
Jackson inspired a multi-racial class-based movement of resistance within
the US prison system that culminated in the San Quentin, Attica, Angola,
Joliet, Folsom, and Reidsville rebellions. The politics of that movement
extend far beyond prison walls as well. The BGF was a revolutionary
organization in opposition to the US government and the ethnic divisions
and economic subjugation upon which it thrives, fighting in solidarity
with ALL inner city people, ALL oppressed peoples of the 3rd world, and
confronting the kind of oppression that occurs every day today – from
Abner Louima to Rodney King, to the 107 unarmed civilians killed in DC
and PG county alone in the past decade, to the general condition of the
intolerable slums that surround nearly every city in the 21st century
world. The BGF also inspired other revolutionary formations, including
the Weather Underground, the east coast BLA, and countless international
groups. The BGF established the Black August festival as way to resist
the capitalist culture's attempt to simply criminalize acts of
revolutionary anti-capitalist resistance such as the August 7 Takeover
and subsequent acts of armed rebellion, along with the men and women who
carry them out.<br><br>
Today Black August festivals are held in cities around the world, and
there is an independent film in post-production. The family of George and
Jonathan, along with many of those who fought alongside them, are proud
that the legacy of the two brothers has lived on. That said, the Family
is concerned about the DOZENS of men and women that fought alongside the
brothers who are still living today, including movement elders like
Nicaraguan national Hugo Pinell, August 7th actor Ruchell Cinque Magee,
exiled revolutionary and writer Assata Shakur and many others. Most
remain behind bars, others are in dire circumstances today. Despite
advancing age and poor health these political detainees are no closer to
coming home today than in 1970. Instead the government is bringing new
cases against aged revolutionaries both for insurrectionary acts
allegedly committed decades ago, as well as ‘new’ acts of resistance. The
U.S. prison population was under 250,000 when the brothers fought and
died, today it is 2.6 million and includes 1 in 3 Black men. In its
thirst for "law and order" the state has grown ever more
repressive in its tactics since the brothers fought and died.! <br><br>
The line between commemoration and exploitation is far too often porous,
entertainment to often passes for radical intervention. The Family feels
it is essential to know precisely how the resources collected in the
names of the two revolutionary brothers are being used. In order to mend
the factions between the first generation of revolutionaries, and
navigate the minefield of missteps, some of which were already made in
the past, it is necessary that the Family have the decisive international
voice in the planning for Black August, which was first and foremost
created to provide resources for political prisoners and their families,
as well as to raise political consciousness in disenfranchised
communities.<br><br>
It is WRONG and INAPPROPRIATE for those who had little actual connection
Jonathan and George and the revolutionary movement they founded to seek
to commercialize that legacy solely for personal gain, as some have done,
simply because they have a ideological or political affinity, while the
social conditions grow worse daily and the revolutionaries who fought
with the brothers endure living burials. The Family and friends of the
two brothers call on those of us who are people of conviction to come
together to assure that those taking on the work of organizing in the
name of Black August honor the spirit of resistance it was created
in.<br><br>
Blessings from the Family should be given for any festival, conference,
and event using the Black August Movement or the Jackson Family name in
the coming years. All currently operating festivals should also want to
do so.<br><br>
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Contact: blackaugustmovement@yahoo.com or call your local OG<br><br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br>
(415) 863-9977<br>
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