BRING DOWN THE WALLS!
A night of music & art to honor our political prisoners/pows!

Saturday, March 26th @ 6pm
Community Church of Boston
565 Boylston Street

$5-15 sliding scale

Performances by:
Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde
Evan Greer & Friends
Born In A Cent
spiritchild
Danniela
Jalen

Join us for a night of Revolutionary Music, Reflection Wall, Food, Socializing and REMEMBERANCE!
Hear updates/statements from Political Prisoners including Mumia Abu Jamal, Imam Jamil Al-Amin and more!

A flyer for this event is available here:
https://lists.riseup.net/www/d_read/jericho_boston_announce/march%2026b2b%26w.jpg
Labels: Community , Events , Jericho , Music

Labels: Black History , Brown History , Community , Education , Event , Events

Labels: Community , Event , Events , Media , Screen Printing , T-Shirt , Tee , Workshops , Youth

Dear Neighbor,

Sadly, it takes a tragedy to impulse unity. As Boston residents, we need to take control of our community and unite forces to make Jamaica Plain a safer place to live. However, we can only do that if we work together. Please join us as we invoke a call to action starting now.

Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Noon a Mass for Peace at Our Lady of Lourdes located at 13 Montebello Rd, Jamaica Plain. Be part of the discussion and propose your solutions, let us make a plan together for fight crime and violence in our community.

Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 1:30 pm -Jamaica Plain Walk for Peace starting from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. We need to pave our roads with chants of peace and unity we cannot do it without you! (Subject to change due to weather and/or pending city approval)

En Espanol

Estimados Vecinos,

Lamentablemente, se necesita una tragedia para impulsar la unidad. Como residentes de Boston, tenemos que tomar el control de nuestra comunidad y unir nuestras fuerzas para hacer de Jamaica Plain un lugar seguro para vivir. Sólo podemos hacerlo juntos, por favor, únase a nosotros para evoca una llamada de acción a partir de ahora.

Domingo 12 de diciembre 2010 al mediodía una Misa por la Paz en Nuestra Señora de Lourdes situada en el 13 Montebello Road, Jamaica Plain. Sea parte del diálogo y proponga sus soluciones, vamos a hacer un plan en conjunto para luchar contra el crimen y la violencia en nuestra comunidad.

Domingo 12 de diciembre 2010 a las 1:30 pm - Jamaica Plain Caminata por la Paz, empezando desde Nuestra Señora de Lourdes. Tenemos que trazar nuestras calles con cantos de paz y unidad no podemos hacerlo sin usted! (está sujeta a cambios debido al mal tiempo y/o la espera de la aprobación de la ciudad)

Sincerely,
Maria Moreno
Yasmin Pereyra
Labels: Community , Events , Stop the Violence

One surefire way to rile activists is to beat a teenager in plain sight, and tell witnesses that they can't record the free-for-all. Needless to say, more than a few folks are furious in the wake of news that Boston Police Department officers jabbed and kicked a 16-year-old inside a Roxbury Community College building this past Friday.

At the time of this writing, more than 17,000 people have viewed a seven minute YouTube video (above) in which what appears to be a mix of plain clothes and uniformed officers repeatedly assault a juvenile in custody. Despite claims that the alleged fugitive resisted arrest – and a statement from Commissioner Ed Davis claiming that an investigation is under way – more than a dozen respected local leaders aired grievances this afternoon in front of BPD headquarters.

“It's on all of us to answer the question of 'Who wants to do something about this,'” said organizer Jamarhl Crawford, who also read from a prepared statement. “This press conference has been called after repeated attempts and pleas for the Mayor and Commissioner to open the table to new ideas from fresh voices in order to combat all violence in the city.”

Speakers brought more than just rhetoric. Representatives from the Boston Black Men's Leadership Group and the National Action Network demanded that a community civilian board be put in charge of reviewing the case; an attorney from the law offices of civil rights attorney Howard Friedman was also on hand to explain that it was perfectly legal for onlookers to record the incident. “The [police sergeant who told people they could not shoot video] should be disciplined,” said attorney David Milton.

It was also noted that police brutality is not a new issue for Boston; Crawford specified that the public is still in the dark about specifics surrounding the April killing of Manuel DaVeiga, who died in a shootout with state police and city officers. “The police must serve and protect,” said former State Senator Bill Owens. “We don't pay police officers to beat up on our children. We will not tolerate these atrocities.”

Despite this being the height of election season, most major news outlets came to cover speeches by local clergy and other concerned individuals. So it looks like this story might have legs after all. Tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, starting at 5pm, community residents – not united under any particular banner – will gather outside of the Roxbury Crossing T stop for a larger public rally.

“I'm here as a concerned resident,” said James Hills, a former special assistant to Mayor Menino and city liaison to the faith community. “We want the response of young people to this to be constructive and positive.”


Read more: http://thephoenix.com/blogs/phlog/archive/2010/10/28/community-leaders-hold-press-conference-outside-bpd-headquarters-to-address-videotaped-police-beating-of-16-year-old.aspx#ixzz13m4Z3tBZ
Labels: Boston , BPD , Community , Events , Police , Police Brutality , Police Community Relations , Protest , Rally , Youth

Centro Presente invites you to a:
Community Forum about the Secure Communities Program

The Forum will be conducted in Spanish

As part of Centro Presente's informative campaign we are organizing a Community Forum about the Secure Communities Program.

When: Sunday,October 24th at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Casa de La Cultura
202 Maverick Street
East Boston, MA 02128

Do you want to know what is the Secure Communities Program that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is implementing?

Do you want to know how this Program is affecting immigrant communities?

Do you want to take action and support a campaign that seeks to educate people abut the effects of this Program on the immigrant community?

Come learn and participate in an informative session about the Secure Communities Program.

This federal program, under the direction of ICE, requires local law enforcement to cross-check digital fingerprints of anyone they arrest against a federal database to evaluate the arrested person's immigration status. If ICE determines the arrested person to be undocumented, that person will be detained by ICE and processed for deportation.

ICE claims that Secure Communities targets undocumented immigrants who have been arrested for felony offenses, but the program doesn't explicitly say that non-felony arrests are exempt from the program. This opens the door for local law enforcement to arrest people they suspect of being undocumented to cross-check fingerprints against the ICE database.

The program will help the Obama administration reach its goal of deporting 400,000 immigrants this year.

For more information please contact:
Patricia Montes- Centro Presente- 617 959 3108
Patrick McDermott- Centro Presente- 617 629 4731
Labels: Community , Education , Events , ICE , Immigration

Labels: BPD , Community , Police Community Relations

WHEN: Saturday, September 18, 10:00 am RAIN OR SHINE!
WHERE: Jamaica Pond Boathouse (Jamaica Plain, MA)

Running Down the Walls came early this year (Saturday, 8/7)--thanks to all who attended in spite of late notice. Since many couldn't attend, we have decided to keep up our tradition in Boston and hold another 5K run at Jamaica Pond in September in honor of Leonard Peltier's 66th Birthday.

This year will be Leonard Peltier's 34th year in prison for defending the rights of his people. Our 5K run is one small opportunity to create visibility about Leonard's case and raise funds for his ongoing defense. More information at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/.

Proceeds from the run will be divided between the Leonard Peltier Defense/Offense Committee (LPDOC) and the Tarek Mehanna support committee www.freetarek.com. Since Leonard's actual birthday (Sept. 12th) falls on the last day of Ramadan this year, we have decided to hold the run on the following weekend: Saturday, Sept. 18th.

We are suggesting a $15 donation to register for the run; participants are invited to gather pledges and donations to help support the event.

Jamaica Pond is located on the Jamaica Way in Jamaica Plain. The run will start at the Boathouse, near the intersection of Jamaica Way and Pond St. The closest T stations are Green St. on the Orange Line and Heath St. on the Green Line; the closest bus route is the 39. Please call Jericho Boston if you need more detailed directions.

JERICHO - BOSTON
(617)830-0732 - jerichoboston.org
Labels: Community , Events , Health and Wellness , Political Prisoners

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Safiya Asya Bukhari, freedom fighter and former political prisoner

Saturday August 28, 2010
7:00-9:00pm
Lucy Parsons Center, 549 Columbus Ave.

Please Join us for a short documentary about her life and work, and selected readings of her book, The War Before

Discussion to follow--Topics include:

• Resistance and Sacrifice
• Building and Sustaining Community
• Lessons Learned from Our Past Struggles

Flyer available here:
https://lists.riseup.net/www/d_read/jericho_boston_announce/Safiya%2520Bukhari%2520Flyer1-1.pdf
Labels: Community , Education , Events , Political Prisoners

Saturday, August 21st 2010

The YGB Movement, BloodSkinLand Productions & Voices of Liberation presents:

YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK
The 8th Revolution

The bi-yearly youth explosion returns for the 8th time with a collage of poetry, spoken word, rhyme, song, dance, etc.

@ OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center
11 Walnut Park, Roxbury/Egleston Sq.
(off Washington St. next to LaundroMax behind Citgo gas station)

5:00pm - 8:00pm (doors at 4:30pm)
$5.00 admission / Free for 12yrs and under

With performances by:
LARISA OSORIO, KETCHUP, J-ONES, DEEMA FAISAL, ALLEGRA FLETCHER, CATCH WRECK, ASHLEY ROSE, SOFIA SNOW and more!!

Hosted by X-RATED

For more info contact VCR at 617-480-7663 or bloodskinland@yahoo.com
http://younggiftedblack.org/
Labels: Community , Events , Hip-Hop / Poetry , Young Gifted and Black , Youth

Please take this opportunity to use this community event as it was meant to be! Many are concerned about recent violence and lack of opportunity for our youth Use this event to speak to the community, join with existing efforts, develop or unveil plans. GET INVOLVED!!! BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.


3rd Annual 10,000 Strong Boston
Sunday, June 20th 2010 | Franklin Park Playstead
10,000 Strong Boston - STOP THE VIOLENCE Sun. 6/20/10 noon-5pm

12Noon – 5pm (Speakers begin at 3pm)

For more information, details about the schedule and speakers, visit 10000strongboston.com

Greetings! This is a formal invitation requesting your presence and your words of wisdom for the 3rd Annual 10,000 Strong Boston! Feel free to use your own experience to deliver an uplifting message to empower, inform and inspire the community.

Since 2008 (each year held the day after Boston’s Roxbury Homecoming and Juneteenth Celebration) 10,000 Strong Boston has brought together Black, Latino & Cape Verdean Community Members, Clergy, Educators, Activists, Parents, Youth, Elders and Elected Officials for this one of a kind community event standing for Justice & Peace in Boston.

Each year 10,000 Strong Boston has garnered crowds of 100-400 all standing in Unity for Peace & Justice with speakers, food and fun for the entire family. 10k Strong Boston has received excellent coverage in the Press and has been featured in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Phoenix, Boston Banner and Channels 4, 5 and 25.

PAST EVENTS: photos, videos, past speakers and media from 2008 & 2009 10,000 Strong Boston
please see our website: http://www.10000strongboston.com/

10K AGAINST: 10,000 Strong Boston takes a stand against Racism, violence, drugs, guns, gangs, prostitution, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, police brutality and more!!

10K FOR: 10,000 Strong Boston stands for Strong Families, Education, Political/Civic Engagement, Leadership Development, Prison Reform, Fair Housing, CORI Reform and more!!

10,000 Strong Boston is coordinated by Jamarhl Crawford and organized in conjunction with the Blackstonian Community Newspaper, which has grown into a website blackstonian.com and internet radio station blogtalkradio.com/blackstonian

For this 3rd Annual 10k Strong Boston, the newly formed Boston Black Men’s Leadership Group is also taking a lead role in fulfillment of the group’s commitment to grassroots community efforts.

Please consult your schedule and confirm your availability ASAP as we will begin heavy promotions and press in the first week of June.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

Contact:
617-755-6463
blackstonian@verizon.net
Labels: Call to Action , Community , CORI , Education , Events , Housing , Immigration , Police , Political Prisoners , Prison Conditions , Service Cuts , Stop the Violence , Street Violence , Youth

Place Matters
May 12, 2010 - 12:00 to 1:30 PM
14 Beacon Street, Suite 604, Boston, Ma

Why is your street address such a good predictor of your health?

Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood leads to a 50-80% increase in risk for heart disease - the number 1 killer in the U.S. One reason is chronic stress. Worrying about violence, lousy schools, and unpaid bills; living in substandard housing or a polluted environment; not having good access to fresh food, reliable transportation, or safe public spaces - all of these have a negative, even toxic effect on health.

As Harvard's David Williams reminds us, "housing policy is health policy. Neighborhood improvement policies are health policies." Health of individuals is improved when residents, government agencies, local officials, foundations and private business work together and take health into account.

Join Community Change staff and friends for a screening of this film followed by a community conversation.

Please bring your lunch.
Beverages will be provided.
$5 contribution requested. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
RSVP at 617-523-0555 or janet@communitychangeinc.org.

Place Matters is the fifth installment in the Unnatural Causes film and discussion series.
Labels: Community , Education , Events , Health and Wellness

Show your solidarity with the women at South Bay!

Saturday (4/10) at 12:30pm, Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard (just past Boston Medical Center by the Hampton Inn)

If you've been reading your email, you've heard about the deplorable conditions the women in the tower at South Bay are fighting. Grievances have been filed, calls have been made, and yet still the prison officials deny the allegations, while the issues with contaminated food continue. We are working with other prisoner advocacy organizations to take the next steps in terms of the legal battle. In the meantime, the women in South Bay need to see that they are not alone.

Come to Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard at 12:30 this Saturday and march to the Suffolk County House of Correction to keep up the pressure on the prisoncrats and to show some love to the folks inside. Bring noise, bring messages of encouragement, but most importantly, bring yourself-- and bring some friends, while you're at it!

The tower being what it is, we probably won't be able to see their faces, but they will be able to see ours! Both from later feedback and from engaging with prisoners through the walls during these demos, these supportive presences outside South Bay are really meaningful to the folks held captive to let them know that we haven't forgotten them.

For more information, please contact bostonabc@riseup.net.
http://baamboston.org
http://www.myspace.com/abcboston
Labels: Community , Events , Prison Conditions

Time: April 11, 2010 from 12:30pm to 2pm
Location: "St. Peter's Teen Center"
Organized By: Community

Event Description:
Sunday at 12:30, there will be a community meeting with the Police at Saint Peter's Teen Center on the issue of the death of Manuel "Junior" Da Veiga. The location is on Bowdoin Street, Dorchester, MA

See more details and RSVP on Blackstonian:
http://blackstonian.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2761975%3AEvent%3A7123&xgi=1mXOkLqBar6iMI&xg_source=msg_invite_event
Labels: Boston Police Killings , Community , Events , Meeting , Police , Police Brutality

This Friday, April 9th at 8:30 a.m., the trustees of the Boston Public Library will meet to vote on a budget plan which includes proposals for closing somewhere between four and eight branch libraries and cutting services at the main library in Copley Square.  BPL president Amy Ryan has endorsed a proposal to close four branches this year.  However, many believe that her ultimate  goal is to close all 10 branch libraries that she had originally targeted.  She has realized the opposition was too fierce when she proposed that many closings all at once, so she is being strategic and trying to pick off the branches a few at a time.

We need to IMMEDIATELY CONTACT BPL TRUSTEES, BPL PRESIDENT AMY RYAN, MAYOR MENINO, AND CITY COUNCILORS TO DEMAND THAT THEY NOT APPROVE ANY BUDGET THAT INCLUDES CLOSING BRANCHES OR CUTTING SERVICES.  THE TRUSTEES NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU BEFORE 8:30 FRIDAY.

It is clear, after hearing Amy Ryan speak, that this is not really about a budget emergency.  It's true that there is a budget shortfall that must be addressed.  But this shortfall is actually a convenient excuse for her to push a pre-existing agenda that seems Orwellian - that library services will be "transformed" and "improved" by cutting services and closing neighborhood branches.  Ryan's "vision" for the BPL is to have fewer, "big box" libraries and to provide library services via the internet.  She has completely discounted the role that branch libraries serve as community spaces - to her, "21st century" libraries are meant to exist primarily in cyberspace.  It's an ugly, misguided "vision" and completely discounts the loud, clear opinions expressed by patrons of the BPL.

Contact info below.  Thanks so much.

BPL public comment email: feedback@bpl.org
BPL Trustees clerk, Jamie McGlone: jmcglone@bpl.org
BPL president, Amy Ryan: aeryan@bpl.org
Mayor Menino: mayor@cityofboston.gov
City Council members: firstname.lastname@cityofboston.gov
Felix.Arroyo - at-large
Mark.Ciommo - dist. 9
John.R.Connolly - at-large
Rob.Consalvo - dist. 5
Maureen.Feeney - dist. 3
Salvatore.LaMattina - dist. 1
Bill.Linehan - dist. 2
Stephen.Murphy - at-large
Ayanna.Pressley - at-large
Michael.Ross - dist. 8
John.Tobin - dist. 6
Chuck.Turner - dist. 7
Charles.Yancey - dist. 4

For more information:
People of Boston, citywide library support group: http://peopleofboston.org/
official BPL budget page: http://www.bpl.org/general/budget/
Labels: Community , Education , Library Closings , Service Cuts