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Fight For Your Rights

by Ayesha Stowe
Photos by Khalid Muhammed

 

On August the seventh, the National Action Network, lead by Al Sharpton, conducted a meeting regarding the million family march that will take place on the twenty sixth of August. The meetings primary concern was the organization of the march. There was a large attendance at the meeting and the people were extremely enthusiastic. The attendees were there for various personal reasons, as well as to support a united cause. Supporters wanted to put a stop to racial profiling, police brutality and many other causes that have plagued the African-American and Latino community for years.

Many advocates view the march as a "rebirth of the civil rights movement," stated Pearl Richardson. Mrs. Richardson believes that this march will force politicians to pay attentions to the demands of the minority groups. Mrs Richardson's personal reason for participating in the march is because she feels that it is her opportunity to make a difference. Orignially born in Belize and Mrs. Richardson believes that by participating in this march she will be reenacting the civil rights movement and doing her part in advancing the African-American and Latino communities.

Many also believe that a positive image will be sent to the public as well as to the politicians. It will inform them that the African-American and Latino communities will not stand by and allow the "Political machine" to exploit and take advantage of minorities. Rosie Campos, a participant of the meeting, believed that the march will raise the confidence of the people within these communities.

Cuthbery Ashby, a social worker, believes that "this cause is worth being apart of because it will lead to a positive change. It is a cause that everyone should be apart of because of the way that people of color are being targeted." He believes that we need to put a stop to "this thing" before it gets even more out of control and before people think that it is a way of life. Mr. Ashby believes that this march is monumental because it is taking place at the Washington monument which is where Martin Luther King made his original "I Have a Dream speech." He hopes that this march will have as much as a impact as King's speech. He also hopes that this march will make the issue a national issue for everybody to be concerned.

Carlos Rosario, who lives in Statin Island, attended this meeting because "he wanted to learn more about the march and wanted to get a group started in his home town." For Carlos, this march serves "as a reminder to black and Hispanics that there is still a tragedy here and there are people still being placed in prisons unjustly." He also hopes that the march will change the political scene so that politicians will begin to take blacks and Hispanics more seriously. Mr. Rosario, wanted to give thanks to Al Sharpton who brought the plight of his people to the attention of the "political machines". He feels that Al Sharpton's publicity will prevent people from violating the civil rights of African-Americans and Latinos across the world. However, the most important message that Mr. Rosario wanted to convey to the public, was the significance of the unification of the various communities to become one powerhouse.

When Al Sharpton began his speech he spoke a few inspirational words concerning the impact of the African-American and Latino communities on politics. He stated that it was us who prompted the retirement of the Police Commissioner, Howard Safir. After stating these words the audience cried out "keep the pressure on, keep the pressure on," repeatedly.

Al Sharpton allowed the black and Hispanic community to expresses their desires and their demands for improving the conditions in which the "political machine" forces them to live in.

 

 

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