Video from the March Against Racial Profiling in DC

By Guest Contributor, on August 26th, 2013

Cross-Posted from the DC Independent Media Center by H.

On the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, we gathered and marched to draw attention to racial profiling in DC. We marched to the Lincoln Memorial where we joined tens of thousands from across the country.

Fifty years ago, people demanded an end to Jim Crow and equal rights for all people of color. Today, the struggle continues. Though the old Jim Crow policies of the South are gone, we now see a prison industrial complex that feeds off Black men and women and a “justice” system that denies them basic rights before, during, and after their incarceration.

Racial profiling by police remains one of the worst problems of this system. A new study by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee has provided statistical evidence for what Black and Brown residents of D.C. have learned through bitter experience: extreme racial disparities exist in the pattern of arrests by police.

This study, and the systemic racism it uncovers, is igniting a larger fight against racism in the District. Town-hall meetings are happening around the city to publicize the results of the study and the reactions of the community. As the George Zimmermans of this world continue to get away with murder, it’s our job to fight back against the racist justice system.

No to racial profiling! No to mass incarceration! No to racism!

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End Racial Profiling Feeder to the March on Washington

By Liane Scott, on August 23rd, 2013

Join us as we gather & march to draw attention to racial profiling right here in DC.

We will gather and march as a group from Farragut Square down to the Lincoln Memorial where we will join tens of thousands across the country in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington!

 

Fifty years ago, people demanded an end to Jim Crow and equal rights for all people of color. Today, the struggle continues. Though the old Jim Crow policies of the South are gone, we now see a prison industrial complex that feeds off Black men and women and a “justice” system that denies them basic rights before, during, and after their incarceration.

Racial profiling by police remains one of the worst problems of this system. A new study by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee has provided statistical evidence for what Black and Brown residents of D.C. have learned through bitter experience: extreme racial disparities exist in the pattern of arrests by police.

This study, and the systemic racism it uncovers, is igniting a larger fight against racism in the District. Town-hall meetings are happening around the city to publicize the results of the study and the reactions of the community. As the George Zimmermans of this world continue to get away with murder, it’s our job to fight back against the racist justice system.

No to racial profiling! No to mass incarceration! No to racism!

Confirmed speakers include: Etan Thomas, former Washington Wizard and poet Yusef Salaam, Central Park Five defendant Shujaa Graham, exonerated death row prisoner Seema Sadanadann, ACLU Stuart Anderson, Friends and Families of Incarcerated People Jazz Hayden, Campaign to End the New Jim Crow (NYC) Daquanna Harrison, Collective Power Jonathan Stith, Malcolm X Grassroots Lawrence Hayes, former death row prisoner Jamal Muhammad, We Act Radio …and others.

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Peacemakers not Peace Breakers Honors the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

By Stuart Anderson, on August 22nd, 2013

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Save Our Schools Feeder to March on Washington

By Guest Contributor, on August 22nd, 2013

March with Save Our Schools Contingent as we join in the 50th Anniversary March for Civil Rights in DC August 24th Public Education is a Civil Right! Save Our Schools calls all supporters of Public Education join with the 50th Anniversary March for Civil Rights: A Continuation of the Battle for Jobs, Justice and Freedom! http://nationalactionnetwork.net/mow/ Meet at Farragut Square 8:00 AM Look for the Save Our Schools banner, pick up your signs and march together to the Rally Site at 8:30 Make your voice heard for jobs, justice, & freedom! Why we are Marching Public Education is a civil right! No school closings! End high stakes testing! Kids over profits-End Privatization!!! Also, join the Journey for Justice Education as a Human Rights Marches, Boycotts, and Rallies in your home city on August 28th and August 29th. Look for further details on all of these events at the SOS website and in future email updates. Join the movement to Save Our Schools! Together we can change the conversation. We can preserve and transform public education for all the children! Our mission is to build a national grassroots, people-powered movement, which preserves and transforms public education, as the cornerstone of a democratic society.

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Still Mad About Trayvon, DC Activists Organize Against Racial Profiling

By Liane Scott, on July 29th, 2013

On July 12, 2013, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs released the report Racial Disparities in Arrests in the District of Columbia, 2009-2011. The following are a few of the reports insights:

Nearly seven out of ten traffic arrests were of African Americans Eight out of ten individuals arrested for disorderly conduct were African American or Hispanic Although there is little disparity in drug use between DC’s African-American and caucasian residents, nine out of ten individuals arrested for drug offenses are African American. More than eight out of 10 arrests in our city were of African Americans.

In short, we might not have a stand your ground law in the District of Columbia but the same racial profiling that took the life of Trayvon Martin and many, many other African American men and boys is alive and well in the District of Columbia. In light of these facts, a coalition of activists is having a press conference and teach-in that draws the connections between the fight for justice for Trayvon Martin and the need for a movement to address racial profiling in DC.

Are you still mad about Trayvon Martin? Do you want to give his death meaning and stop future extra-judicial killings? Make a start by attending this press conference.

Speak Out and Organize Against Racial Profiling in DC Wednesday July 31 @ Noon Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Speakers include:

Rev. Graylan Hagler, Plymouth Congregational

Etan Thomas, activist and former Washington Wizards player

Perry Redd, Ex-prisoner, activist, and former DC Council candidate

A representative from The Washington Lawyers Committee

Seema Sananandan, of the DC American Civil Liberties Union and author of a recent study on marijuana arrests

Andy Shallal, anti-war activist and owner of Busboys & Poets

Jamal Muhammed, host of the Luv Lounge show on WeAct Radio

Plans will be made to add an End Racial Profiling in DC component to the 50th Anniversary March on Washington. For more information please call (410) 635-0235.

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