Rev. Edward Pinkney is a fighter we should all stand up for
We should always talk about ‘we’ much more than ‘I’. However ‘I’ feel like ‘I’ have dropped the ball on this one. I have criticized the corporate traditional mainstream media for bad reporting, for ignoring stories that matter, for misleading, for being the propaganda arm of the corporatocracy and the plutocracy. Yet what many have missed including yours truly are stories that get very little media but are fundamental to our democracy. This is one.
I met Rev. Edward Pinkney at the Democracy Convention in Madison Wisconsin in 2013. I was very impressed with his passion for his Benton Harbor community. This post includes the interview I did with him. I subsequently interviewed him on Coffee Party Radio and on Move to Amend Reports. Rachel Maddow did the following segment on one of the issues he was fighting for.
We received the following note at Coffee Party USA’s Facebook Page this morning.
“We are asking for your support in speaking out about a political prisoner in Michigan. His name is Edward Pinkney, a 66-year-old Black minister who was incarcerated last December after being charged with 5 felony counts of changing dates on petitions to recall the Benton Harbor, MI mayor. He was convicted by an all-white jury (one of whom it was proven perjured herself by not revealing her personal & professional relationship with prosecution team) after the judge and prosecutor instructed the jury to convict with no evidence! There was no evidence; in fact, witnesses came forward (even a commissioner) to testify on behalf of the Rev. It is URGENT that we mobilize even more than ever because 24 hours ago, 10/6 at 6:00 am, the Rev. was removed from the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, MI. His location has not been disclosed. His family was not notified of this action. We do not know where he is and we fear for his safety! Please talk about this case. There is information daily on Twitter @FreeRevPinkney and on Facebook at Justice4Pinkney and Detroit Organizing in Support of Rev Pinkney. Donations and more information can also be found at bhbanco.org (Black Autonomy Network Community Organization of which Rev. Pinkney is president). Here is a list of articles for background information: http://www.counterpunch.org/?s=rev.+edward+pinkney On behalf of the Pinkney family and the worldwide supporters of the Reverend, I thank you in advance for any attention you can bring to this travesty of justice. ”
Polly Hughes
Email: Hughescookie4@gmail.com
Let us all do our part to ensure that we keep a vibrant democracy. If this could happen to this peaceful impactful activist, it could happen to anyone.