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Martin Luther King III Delivers Keynote Address on 40th Anniversary of Jonestown Tragedy

Published

5 years ago

December 14, 2018

Memorial Wall dedicated to the 305 children who perished in Guyana unveiled at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland

It was fitting, Martin Luther King III said,to bring his 11-year-old daughter with him as he addressed a crowd of 75 last Sunday morning at Oakland’s Evergreen Cemetery where more than 400 victims of the massacre in Jonestown, Guyana, are buried in a mass grave.
“We are here primarily to honor the children who never had a chance to make their mark on the world,” King said as sun pierced the smoky air from the Camp Fire and bright-colored balloons tied to the railing around the memorial grove swayed in the light breeze.
While Alice Houston, a member of the original Clara Ward Singers, lovingly crooned “Yes, Jesus Loves Me,” the temporary marker was unveiled and children distributed flowers to later lay athe foot of the panels.

Makayla R. Davis and Marguerite Young of the Devine Angels of Greater Faith Ministries perform praise dance choreographed by Shakira Goff at the unveiling of special panels commemorating the youth who died in Jonestown.

King nodded to his daughter Yolanda Renee King before he went on to inveigh against the evil that robbed the 305 Jonestown children of their future and call for a society that should make “an uncompromising commitment to all children.”
Standing in front of the temporary wall with the names of all the victims and photos of the children arrayed within three hearts, King cited the continuing threat of gun violence against children,especially at schools. In the absence of legislative leadership, he called for communities to organize their own multicultural peacekeeping coalitions to protect the children and thereby secure the future.
It is King’s unrelenting dedication to peace that led Dr. Jynona Norwood, founder of the Jonestown Memorial Wall and Services, to invite him to the 40thanniversary and unveiling of the wall honoring the children.
These 40 years have been a long haul for Norwood, who lost 27 family members in Jonestown, the youngest two months old and the oldest 91 years old.
“Change has always been associated with the number 40,” Norwood said. Noah’s 40 days of rain. The Israelite’s 40 years in the wilderness and Jesus 40 days fasting in the desert. She noted other coincidences over the last year as she was finally able to take the action she thought the Jonestown dead deserved. “When they joined the People’s Temple, they did not join a cult,” she said, “they joined a church that became the cult of Jim Jones,” and they should be remembered separately from the man who brought about their demise.
Supported by Oakland’s previous and present mayors, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Barbara Lee, it was in re-reading letter of support from Rep. Nancy Pelosi that inspired the commission of the temporary grave marker that honors the children as well as the other victims. Norwood, who is pastor of Faith In Ministry Church in Ingleside, Ca.,will bring the panels to Evergreen Cemetery each year but hopes they will ultimately find a permanent home, perhaps at the African American Museum and Library in Oakland.
Other speakers included Dr. E. Faye Williams of the National Congress of Black Women, Dr.Randal Maxey, Rev. Ed Norwood and representatives from Lee’s and Schaaf’s offices presented Norwood with awards of recognition and resolutions. In thanks for them standing by her all these years, Norwood, in turn, presented them with awards of recognition.
After praise dances by three teen aged girls, the service closed with the spirited singing of “Walk With Me, Lord,” by Louise Armstrong, 82, a member of Norwood’s church who also lost a cousin at Jonestown.

Wanda Ravernell

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Related Topics:Evergreen Cemetery Jonestown Martin Luther King III

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

7 days ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”

Oakland Post

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.