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<b><small><small><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.examiner.com/article/memorial-service-for-wopashitwe-mondo-eyen-we-langa-held-omaha">http://www.examiner.com/article/memorial-service-for-wopashitwe-mondo-eyen-we-langa-held-omaha</a></small></small></b><br>
<br>
<big><b>Memorial service for Wopashitwe Mondo Eyen we Langa held in
Omaha</b></big><br>
<br>
Michael Richardson March 28, 2016<br>
<br>
It was a place of joy and a place of sorrow. An event both somber
and heartwarming. A time of tributes and a time for reflection. It
was a memorial service for Wopashitwe Mondo Eyen we Langa, formerly
David Lewis Andrew Rice. Buddy Hogan gave opening remarks at the
Malcolm X Memorial Center in Omaha on March 26 to honor Mondo, who
died two weeks earlier at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.<br>
<br>
Mondo served forty-five years of a life sentence for the murder of
an Omaha policeman, but you could not convince any of the one
hundred persons attending the memorial service of his guilt. Mondo
went to his death proclaiming his innocence and once wrote, “I'm
paying on a debt I do not owe.”<br>
<br>
Condolences from Black Panther in-exile Pete O'Neal were read.
O'Neal, formerly from Kansas City, now lives in Tanzania. Mondo was
attending a rally in August 1970 in Kansas City for O'Neal who had
been arrested by the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division when
Mondo's house in Omaha was searched by police and ATF agents who
claim they found dynamite in the basement. Mondo's house was
unlocked and wide open when police arrived for the search.<br>
<br>
Tekla Agbala Johnson conducted an African Spirituality and
Initiation into the Ancestor Realm ceremony, which she conducted in
Kiswahili. Mondo would likely have approved, as he chose words from
four African languages to compose his name. Sondra McSwain, a local
Omaha dancer, performed an African Welcoming Dance which included a
call and response with the audience.<br>
<br>
Black Panther Party archivist and activist, Billy X, also known as
Bill Jennings, brought messages from Panther members scattered in
Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, and other parts of the world
and around the United States. Billy X never forgot about Mondo, owns
several pieces of Mondo's art, and corresponded with him over the
long years in prison.<br>
<br>
National Jericho Movement Chair, Jihad Abdulmumit, spoke about the
need to continue the work, to free all political prisoners. Mondo
had been on Jericho's list of political prisoners for years and the
organization has repeatedly called for Mondo's release.<br>
<br>
Writer Linda Kennedy gave the history of the Harambee African
Cultural Organization at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. The
organization flourished under Mondo’s leadership. She also spoke
about Mondo’s affect on others—that he could have been a bitter body
builder— instead he was a mentor and friend. “No one knows,” Kennedy
said, “how many lives he touched, how many young men he may have
saved.”<br>
<br>
Part of the ceremony included African drumming. The drummer said,
“They can take your body, they can take your mind, they can even
break your heart—but don’t let them take your soul.”<br>
<br>
A message of farewell from Ed Poindexter to his old friend was read.
Poindexter was Mondo's co-defendant and has also done forty-five
years of his life sentence. The pair became known as the Omaha Two
and both men were targets of the clandestine COINTELPRO operation by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Poindexter remains imprisoned
at the Nebraska maximum-security prison and could not attend the
memorial service.<br>
<br>
Activist and author, Angela Davis, read Mondo’s poem, “When It Comes
To This Point” about recent police shootings of unarmed young black
men. Davis was kind and gracious and a captivating speaker. Davis
said despite the conditions under which Mondo lived, he was funny
and maintained a sense of humor and in spite of the inhumane
conditions, Mondo retained his humanity. Davis, at one time on the
FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, has made a number of trips to Nebraska
over the years to show her support for the Omaha Two.<br>
<br>
In prison, Mondo conducted himself as an innocent man would and
consequently held his head high, not in arrogance but with pride.
Mondo did not let a wrongful conviction influence his approach to
people. Mondo remained both a gentle man and a gentleman, gaining
the respect of many.<br>
<br>
Nebraskans For Justice President Tariq Al-Amin spoke of police
violence/brutality. Al-Amin, a former Omaha policeman himself, was
praised by Buddy Hogan as being, “what a police officer should be.”
Hogan said, ”He was there to protect and serve. And he continues to
serve his community.”<br>
<br>
Mondo’s nieces Shanita Rice and Melissa Rice Stratford and nephew
Michael Rice spoke of Mondo, not as a political figure, but as their
beloved uncle who kept track of their schools, birthdays, grades,
and hobbies. Mondo encouraged their education and told them how
important it is to read. He sent them books and encouraging letters.<br>
<br>
One woman attending the memorial event said it was a lovely service
with beautiful music and eloquent speakers, yet she sat teary-eyed
throughout. The celebration of Mondo's life was made more poignant
by the tragedy of forty-five years behind bars.<br>
<br>
Supporters of Mondo reaffirmed their dedication to work to free Ed
Poindexter so the next event can be a homecoming celebration and a
real testament to Mondo’s life. The event ended with everyone
raising their hands in a Black Power salute and chanting five times,
“Power to the People.”<br>
<br>
Linda Kennedy and Bonnie Cosentino-Welsch contributed to this report<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.freedomarchives.org">www.freedomarchives.org</a>
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