Black August–Connecting the past struggles of resistance with the present
“Black August” is a month-long celebration that marks the remembrance of the lives of freedom fighters who gave their all for Black liberation, freedom, radical resistance and mass consciousness. It is a month to honor the struggles and sacrifices of the past and recommit to the struggle for liberation in the future. Black August stems from the courthouse rebellion on August 7, 1970 led by Jonathan Jackson to free his brother George Jackson.
Locally, a number of activities are planned. On August 7, there’ll be a march and rally in the name of Isaiah Hammett, murdered by STL SWAT. There’s the Whose Streets? weekend of the Ferguson documentary screenings August 11-12. The Millions for Prisons is a national event with solidarity actions including one in St. Louis on August 19. We are fighting to stop the execution of Marcellus Williams on August 22. There’s the Jefferson Bank Protest Commemoration on August 25.
These and other events let us know that the racist oppression is real and that our ability to organizer must be more intense and disciplined.
I leave you with the words of our beloved Brother Mumia Abu-Jamal. Black August, “is a month of meaning … of radical resistance… of divine justice…of righteous rebellion, of individual and collective efforts to free the slaves and break the chains that bind us.”