Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) in partnership with the grassroots group All of Us or None, will commemorate Black August at Lil’ Bobby Hutton (De Fremery) Park at 1651 16^th St. in West Oakland on Saturday, August 21, from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The mission of LSPC is to organize communities impacted by the criminal justice system, to advocate for the release and safe return of incarcerated people, and to reunify families and communities. It should be noted that the organization is primarily staffed by formerly incarcerated men and women who have returned home to make a difference in their communities.

The event entitled ‘Oakland Rejects Slavery’ begins with All of Us or None advocating for the removal of the slavery exception clause in both the state and federal constitutions of this country. 

California Constitution Article 1, Section 6 states, “Slavery is prohibited. Involuntary servitude is prohibited except to punish crime.” You can also read the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution. For a deeper understanding, watch Ava DuVernay’s documentary on Netflix called ‘13th.’

Throughout the day, there will be a variety of speakers that include former Black Panther Party member and current BPP historian, Billy X, Oakland’s Poet Laureate, Ayodele Nzinga, and a host of local organizations that include New Breath Foundation, Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, CURYJ, United Playaz, CA Prison Focus, Kage University, Place 4 Grace, and others.

The message is multi-pronged but clear, said All of US or None Communications Manager Troy Williams. “Remove the slave language. Black Lives Matter no matter who pulls the trigger. Stop Asian hate. Just stop hating! Return sovereignty of land. Protect water. Protect life. We want our communities to come and enjoy good food and good entertainment with good family friendly company.

“We will also address current events impacting our community and ask that as we fight to strip away the vestiges of slavery in our state and federal constitutions that Oakland stands together to reject the narrative and practice of the violence we have perpetrated against each other.

The event is also taking place during Black August, which began as a way of honoring those freedom fighters who lost their lives in the process of fighting for the full restoration of human and civil rights of all oppressed people. 

“We commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of George Jackson and the Attica uprising that followed,” said Williams. “We are gathering to say that we have returned with a willingness to rectify our wrongs, pick up the torch, and continue on the march toward liberation.

For more information, please go to: 

https://prisonerswithchildren.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=95

Troy Williams has written columns for the Post New Group for several years.

“The Oakland Post’s coverage of local news in Alameda County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California”

Christy Price

Posts by Christy Price