Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Hebrews 13:3

"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.



Monday, May 30, 2016

Successful Protest on Saturday in Benton Harbor!

I was so glad I attended the PGA protest in Benton Harbor on Saturday.  It was much like past protests of this event.  Dorothy Pinkney, wife of political prisoner Rev. Edward Pinkney, along with 2 friends, did a wonderful organizing job. There were welcoming speeches in front of city hall as people from all over the midwest arrived.   

Following the welcomes was a spirited march through the city with vigorous chanting to “free Pinkney” and in favor of justice over corporations and incarcerations.  The march ended at a corner which had been set up with rows of chairs, tables of water and snacks, and a sound system.  Many people spoke on the need for activists to organize, Pinkney’s unjust treatment by Whirlpool and the Berrien county injustice system, the Flint water crisis and Snyder’s lack of action, Detroit, and many other topics.  

I was proud to be among people who cared so deeply about humanity and the planet.  Photos of the event:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.555197847995838.1073741830.527827594066197

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Rev. Pinkney DENIED Bond Pending Appeal

In a disappointing order, this week the Michigan Court of Appeals denied Rev. Pinkney bond pending appeal while they await the outcome of the Michigan Supreme Court case People v. Hall.

Rev. Pinkney is unbowed by this decision. The defense team will proceed with Plan B and will continue the fight, and so must we!

Friday, May 27, 2016

Rev. Pinkney needs your help!

The legal battle to free political prisoner Rev. Pinkney continues, while he endures relentless harassment by racist guards at Marquette Branch Prison.

On May 11th supporters came from across the region to fill the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids. Defense attorney Tim Holloway and Mark Fancher of the ACLU of Michigan both argued at length before a panel of three judges.

The next day, the judges issued an order putting the case on hold until the Michigan Supreme Court makes a decision on another election fraud case. There is no telling when the other case will be heard.

Nevertheless, the judges’ order provides a new window of opportunity to free Rev. Pinkney from prison on bond while the appeal proceeds. On May 16th, the defense team filed a motion for bond pending appeal and we hope for a decision in two to four weeks.

We must be ready with sufficient funds to cover the bond so we can free Rev. Pinkney immediately! We don’t know at what amount the bond will be set, so we need to raise $10,000 as soon as possible. Rev. Pinkney needs to be with his people, and the people need him.

If you've donated to BANCO before, thank you for your past support. It allows BANCO to continue to fight with Benton Harbor, a poor, Black community fighting against corporate greed and genocide-by-gentrification.

We know the economy is bad and that many good causes need help. But if you can, please give to BANCO to support the defense of Rev. Pinkney and the ongoing struggle of the people of Benton Harbor.

Together we can accomplish what we can't alone. Whether $5, $20, $100, or more, every gift helps. We need your help right now. 

What if you lived in a world where those with money and power could silence all dissent simply by locking up their opponents in prison?  If we let Berrien County do this to Rev. Edward Pinkney, what hope is there for Benton Harbor, or for any of us? What's at stake?

In the 1960s, it was called Negro removal. In Bosnia, it was called ethnic cleansing. It could be called genocide, the removal of the minority population for the purpose of redevelopment of the land. That’s what’s happening in Benton Harbor and leading the resistance is Rev. Edward Pinkney.  -Hugh “Buck” Davis, Michigan civil rights attorney

Donate securely online through Paypal at the BANCO website (click the donate button): bhbanco.org

Or send checks made to BANCO:
c/o Dorothy Pinkney
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Thank you!


Press release: “Occupy the PGA” Rallies in Benton Harbor, Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
from Benton Harbor BANCO (Black Autonomy Network Community Organization)
May 27, 2016

Contacts:
David Sole,
Joe Peery [email banco9342 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net]
http://BHBanco.org and http://OccupyThePGA.wordpress.com


“Occupy the PGA” Rallies in Benton Harbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor residents and supporters from across the region protest gentrification, racism

BENTON HARBOR—On Saturday, May 28, Occupy the PGA—a coalition of Benton Harbor residents, community groups, and allies from across the region—will hold a rally and march in protest of the 2016 Senior PGA golf tournament. The rally will begin at 11am at Benton Harbor City Hall (200 East Wall St.)

This year’s tournament will be the third since the construction of the controversial Harbor Shores golf course and luxury condominium development, backed by Whirlpool Corp. It also marks the third Occupy the PGA protest. The coalition has demanded that the Senior PGA transfer 25% of its profits to Benton Harbor, where nearly half of the residents live in poverty and over 90% are black (http://census.gov). Occupy the PGA also indicts Harbor Shores and the Senior PGA for its unfulfilled promises of significant jobs and tax revenue for Benton Harbor residents.

The group also continues to demand a public acknowledgement at the tournament of the “theft of public park land for private profit,” referring to the lease of 22 acres of dunes on Jean Klock Park for transformation into three holes of the Harbor Shores golf course. The group attributes the transfer to the “complete undermining of democratic structures” via former Democratic Governor Granholm’s installment of an emergency financial manager in Benton Harbor in December 2010. Benton Harbor was the first predominantly Black Michigan city in recent years to be subjected to an emergency financial manager.

Occupy the PGA organizers see the Harbor Shores development as a prime example of “racist genocide by gentrification,” designed to force out Black community members who have lived in Benton Harbor for generations. Instead of bringing jobs and opportunities, such luxury developments at best bring only a few low-wage service jobs for locals.

Rev. Edward Pinkney of the local community group BANCO (Black Autonomy Network Community Organization) said, “Benton Harbor continues to be a city under siege. The mishandling of public trust couldn't be more massive, unjust, inhumane, and unconstitutional. The Senior PGA needs to hear our voice. It's time to stand up and fight for what's right.”


BANCO has lead multiple petition drives to recall local officials as one strategy of their campaign to promote democracy, civil rights, and economic justice in the county. Pinkney is currently appealing a conviction for allegedly changing dates on a petition drive to recall former Benton Harbor mayor James Hightower. Hightower’s opposition to a city income tax that would have affected Whirlpool Corp. resulted in the community’s effort to recall him.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Rev. Pinkney on Prison Radio, and Solidarity Phone Calls May 28

Listen to Rev. Pinkney speak on Prison Radio, the support network for political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal: http://www.prisonradio.org/media/audio/rev-pinkney/reverend-edward-pinkney-speaks-prison-407

Prison Radio has also issued an alert for a solidarity action for Rev. Pinkney. If you can't come to Benton Harbor on May 28th, you can make calls in support of Rev. Pinkney!

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Massive Unity Action at Marquette Branch Prison

Prison on Lock Down for a Day

Yesterday saw unprecedented unity among prisoners at Marquette Branch Prison, Michigan's concentration camp. Only 50 prisoners out of about 1,100 went to chow. The rest refused to go in an expression of solidarity and unity in protest of the appalling food from Trinity Corporation and of MDOC's complicity in failing to address the situation.

Prison officials retaliated by locking down the entire Marquette facility from Tuesday, May 24, through Wednesday, May 25, at 6pm.

The unity action at Marquette Branch Prison is the fourth in a series of similar protests in recent weeks, beginning at Kinross Correctional Facility and Chippewa Correctional Facility in March, followed by Cotton Correctional Facility (in Jackson) in April. According to the Detroit Free Press:
Both of the UP protests were characterized by extremely high participation rates among inmates, which disturbed both the prison administration and the Michigan Corrections Organization, which is the union representing corrections officers.
"Absolutely, we're still concerned—it's been spreading," said Anita Lloyd, a spokeswoman for the MCO.
Trinity took over food services for Michigan Department of Corrections after the previous contract with Aramark ended amid repeated scandals. MDOC took prison food services out of the hands of state workers and privatized it in December 2013. A recent report from the University of Michigan (Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy) exposed problems such as food shortages, security vulnerabilities, and other dangerous conditions under Aramark's reign.

And prisoners say food services under Trinity are just as bad, or worse. This has led to the current wave of peaceful protests which serve to build unity and solidarity among prisoners. 

Stay tuned for more details from Rev. Pinkney!

Severe mistreatment of Rev. Pinkney by 3 prison guards

May 2, 2016

Dear Ms. Heidi Washington:

My name is Rev. Edward Pinkney (294671). I have written to you on several occasions, requesting an investigation, which never took place.

On May 2, 2016, Warden Robert Napel allowed me to be subjected to inhumane treatment, cruel and unusual punishment, by 3 correctional officers (Kauiz, Moyle and Schrober--the names may not be correct), who were working on 2pm-10pm shift. One female working inside the visiting room, one female who brings the prisoners in for a visit, and a male working with them on May 2, 106 at or about 7:10pm.

The three Michigan Department of Corrections officers violated Policy 03 03 130, inhumane treatment, by not allowing me, prisoner Pinkney 294671, to use the bathroom. All three stated you cannot use the bathroom, if you need to use the bathroom you must end your visit and return to your unit. The correctional officers forced me to urinate and defecate on myself before I could get back to my unit. This was lack of care for the prisoner’s interest and safety. A prisoner has a right not to be subjected to inhumane, cruel unusual treatment.

The three employees should have been trained, or they should have known, a prisoner has a right to use the bathroom facility during a visit. The three state employees were very unprofessional, untrained, they were intimidating, harassing, and threatening me. The male correctional officer (Schrober) got right in my face. They forced me to urinate and defecate on myself.

The Marquette Branch Prison normally gets away with inhumane treatment in violation of policy, because nobody investigates, the grievance system is a fraud. I am requesting a complete investigation once again into this hostile environment. I never know when, where, why or how the attacks will come, but every day they come from MDOC! Director Heidi Washington, you knew I was in a very hostile environment which was life-threatening, and you did nothing to protect me against the MDOC correctional officers working together.

Rev. Edward Pinkney
294671
N-39U

Monday, May 23, 2016

Pinkney Defense Files Brief in Michigan Supreme Court Case

Rev. Pinkney's defense team has filed a detailed amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief in a separate case, People v. Hall (Mich SCt #150677), in the Michigan Supreme Court.

In Rev. Pinkney's own case, a panel of three judges at the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered a stay on his case until they learn the outcome of the Supreme Court case.

One of the issues in both cases is a question about the meaning of the statute under which Rev. Pinkney was charged. In the amicus brief, his defense argues persuasively that the statute was only a penalty provision, not a statute proscribing forgery. By raising this question in the amicus brief, it is anticipated that the Supreme Court will decide this issue once and for all. If the statute is only a penalty provision, then Rev. Pinkney was improperly charged under it and cannot be retried.

Meanwhile, last week the defense filed a motion requesting bond pending appeal for Rev. Pinkney, since there is no telling when the Supreme Court case will be decided. Please donate if you can so we can be ready to free Rev. Pinkney if he gets bond pending appeal!

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Stop the Corruption in Berrien County!

The message couldn't be clearer. This week three billboards popped up in Benton Harbor, just in time for #OccupyThePGA!

Two of the billboards are near the intersection of Nickerson and M-139, right near the bus station, and the third is on I-94 between exits 28 and 29. Be sure to look for them when you're in the neighborhood!

Thanks to all who supported this effort, and to quemadura.net for the donated design work and daymonjhartley.com for the donated photo of an earlier Occupy the PGA march!



New Opperman radio interview with Rev. Pinkney

https://soundcloud.com/worldausterityreport/rev-pinkney-tells-ed-opperman-we-must-fight-together-not-fight-each-other

Friday, May 20, 2016

“Injustice anywhere…” MLK (excerpts)

Posted: Thursday, April 7, 2016 12:00 am

There is a particular evil going on the State of Michigan, among all the others plaguing that state. During the election hoopla, the debates, the speeches, and attention focused on Michigan’s Black voters, I was appalled that no one took the opportunity to point out this quiet yet outrageous situation. No one stepped to the microphone or held a press conference or asked a question or held up a sign about Edward Pinkney.

Who is Ed Pinkney? He is a 68 year-old minister from Benton Harbor, Michigan, former President of the local NAACP, and most of all an unwavering activist who fights against social and economic injustice. Pinkney now sits in an isolation cell at the infamous Marquette Branch Prison, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, nearly 500 miles from his hometown, his wife, Dorothy, and his supporters, in an “out of sight out of mind” attempt by the State to make Brother Pinkney disappear from the public stage and from public discourse.
...In Pinkney’s own words: “A heavy and cruel hand has been laid upon me. On Oct. 6, 2015, I was transferred back to Marquette Branch Prison, a two-day ride on the bus, shackled, mistreated and intimidated. I was forced to strip on five different occasions. I am forced into overcrowding, inadequate exercise, lack of clean clothing and inadequate medical care which violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. I estimate over 75 percent of the prisoners in Marquette have mental problems.”
...His history of confrontation with the justice system in Michigan notwithstanding, in this particular case the punishment does not fit the alleged crime. Yes he has been a thorn in the side of the establishment and local judges in Benton Harbor, but Pinkney’s willingness to fight for civil rights should not be used as an excuse for retribution against him by the courts; according to our Constitution, he must be treated fairly and he must not be subjected to “cruel and unusual punishment.” The crime he allegedly committed does not rise to the level of being held in prison without bond during his appeal. By the time his appeal comes around, if he is found not guilty, he will have served prison time for a crime he did not commit.

Full article:  http://www.carolinapanorama.com/opinion/injustice-anywhere-mlk/article_f8638f7e-fc7a-11e5-bf97-8f9bbab0c13b.html

James Clingman is one of America’s foremost authorities on Black economic development. To learn more, visit www.Blackonomics.com.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Activists support Rev. Pinkney at hearing

by Abayomi Azikiwe posted on May 18, 2016



The Michigan State Appeals Court hearing for the Rev. Edward Pinkney, an African-American political prisoner, was held in Grand Rapids, Mich., on May 11. The hearing was attended by many activists from throughout the Midwest region, including Berrien County, Lansing, Mt. Clemens, Ann Arbor, Detroit, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Chicago and other areas. A press conference took place outside the courtroom in the aftermath of the proceedings.
(WW photo: Abayomi Azikiwe)

From Workers World

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Rev. Pinkney's Appeals Hearing

Today the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids heard oral arguments for the case of Rev. Pinkney. Supporters attended from as far away as Detroit, Flint, Mt. Clemens, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Berrien County, Chicago, and even the Upper Peninsula. A press conference followed. We await the decision and a more detailed report will follow.

Mrs. Dorothy Pinkney and supporters at the press conference (photos by Marcina Cole):




Tuesday, May 10, 2016

ACLU of Michigan Press Release

ACLU of Michigan Demands Release of Benton Harbor Minister Jailed in Retaliation for Activism

May 10, 2016

DETROIT—The ACLU of Michigan on Wednesday will urge a state appeals court to overturn the conviction of Benton Harbor civil-rights firebrand Rev. Edward Pinkney, arguing that Pinkney was unfairly jailed in retaliation for his activism and political views.

“Clearly, Rev. Pinkney is incarcerated today because his political views are unpopular with those in power in Benton Harbor,” said ACLU of Michigan staff attorney Mark Fancher, who heads the group’s Racial Justice Project and is slated to speak on Pinkney’s behalf.  “This, of course, violates our nation’s most fundamental constitutional principles. Regardless of who does or doesn’t embrace our ideas, we all have the right to participate peacefully in civic life without being marked for revenge by our government.”

The argument comes after the ACLU of Michigan filed a friend-of-the-court brief last year in support of efforts to have Pinkney freed following an election-fraud conviction. Mr. Fancher will present the ACLU’s position during oral argument in addition to Rev. Pinkney’s criminal defense attorney, Timothy Holloway.


The argument is scheduled for 10 am at the State Office Building in Grand Rapids.

Read the rest of the press release at ACLU of Michigan....

ACLU of Michigan Press Release

ACLU of Michigan Demands Release of Benton Harbor Minister Jailed in Retaliation for Activism

DETROIT—The ACLU of Michigan on Wednesday will urge a state appeals court to overturn the conviction of Benton Harbor civil-rights firebrand Rev. Edward Pinkney, arguing that Pinkney was unfairly jailed in retaliation for his activism and political views.
“Clearly, Rev. Pinkney is incarcerated today because his political views are unpopular with those in power in Benton Harbor,” said ACLU of Michigan staff attorney Mark Fancher, who heads the group’s Racial Justice Project and is slated to speak on Pinkney’s behalf.  “This, of course, violates our nation’s most fundamental constitutional principles. Regardless of who does or doesn’t embrace our ideas, we all have the right to participate peacefully in civic life without being marked for revenge by our government.”
The argument comes after the ACLU of Michigan filed a friend-of-the-court brief last year in support of efforts to have Pinkney freed following an election-fraud conviction. Mr. Fancher will present the ACLU’s position during oral argument in addition to Rev. Pinkney’s criminal defense attorney, Timothy Holloway.
The argument is scheduled for 10 am at the State Office Building in Grand Rapids.

Read the ACLU amicus brief on behalf of Rev. Edward Pinkney.

In 2014, Pinkney was tried and convicted by an all-white jury on charges that the African-American activist illegally changed dates on a petition to recall the then-mayor of Benton Harbor, whom Pinkney had criticized as a stooge for the city’s state-appointed emergency manager.
Noting that the jury was allowed to hear irrelevant and inflammatory evidence of Pinkney’s political activities, the ACLU of Michigan argued that his conviction should be overturned because the evidence was unfairly prejudicial against Pinkney and violated his constitutional right to free speech.
The ACLU also maintained that the law that Pinkney is accused of breaking was never defined clearly as a felony offense, which would violate Pinkney’s right to due process.
Although enough signatures were collected on the recall petitions in 2014 to put the issue on the ballot, the election was cancelled based on the allegations of election fraud.

Read more about the ACLU’s representation of Rev. Pinkney.

Pinkney’s supporters have argued that the minister has been singled out for years because of a long history of challenging political and corporate power in Benton Harbor, including his work around such issues as voting rights and gentrification.
Indeed, in 2009, the ACLU represented Pinkney after he was imprisoned for writing a newspaper column that criticized a local judge and characterized the criminal justice system as racist. The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed the conviction on the ground that he had a constitutional right to speak his mind about the judge and the justice system.
Regardless of who does or doesn’t embrace our ideas, we all have the right to participate peacefully in civic life without being marked for revenge by our government.

via MI ACLU

National Lawyers Guild Press Release


*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

From the Detroit/Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild

May 10, 2016

*Contact:*

John Royal, President, Detroit/Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers
Guild
(313) 962-3738
Jfroyal2000@gmail.com


*ORAL ARGUMENT BEFORE THE MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS IN ELECTION FRAUD CASE AGAINST CLERGYMAN, ACTIVIST, REV. EDWARD PINKNEY*


GRAND RAPIDS – The Detroit/Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
(the “NLG”) stands with veteran community activist Rev. Edward Pinkney, who
was wrongfully convicted of five counts of forgery in connection with
petitions submitted to recall the mayor of Benton Harbor. The NLG filed a
friend-of-the-court brief on Rev. Pinkney’s behalf in his appeal.

Rev. Pinkney’s appellate attorney, Timothy Holloway, will participate in
oral arguments before a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals in Grand
Rapids on May 11, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.  Mark Fancher, of the Racial Justice
Project and the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, who filed a
friend-of-the-court brief for the ACLU on behalf of Rev. Pinkney, will also
participate.  A press conference will be held outside the courthouse at
11:30 a.m. after oral arguments.

“There are so many violations of Rev. Pinkney’s rights, it’s hard to
believe.  Three witnesses stated emphatically that Rev. Pinkney was not
present when another person altered the petition,” said long-time Michigan
civil rights attorney and NLG member Hugh “Buck” Davis.  “The prosecutor in
the case was allowed to use Rev. Pinkney’s community activism as evidence.
This is a serious violation of the Reverend’s First Amendment rights and
due process.  When the defense attorney raised objections, the judge called
his constitutionally-based arguments ‘emotional rhetoric.’”

Local government and business interests have targeted Rev. Pinkney for his
human rights activism. A SWAT team surrounded Rev. Pinkney’s home and
reportedly arrested him at gunpoint on non-violent charges.  Rev. Pinkney
maintains that these tactics are being used to intimidate all Benton Harbor
residents who speak up against Whirlpool Corporation and local officials.

Rev. Pinkney and other members of BANCO (“Black Autonomy Network Community
Organization”) have protested the four emergency managers installed in
Benton Harbor by the governor.  They protested the sale by the emergency
manager of Benton Harbor city parkland to a private developer for a golf
course and luxury development.

Rev. Pinkney and BANCO also sought to recall Mayor James Hightower after he
opposed the imposition of an income tax that would have affected Whirlpool
Corporation, which is headquartered in Benton Harbor, a city with a
population that is 96% African American and that has among the highest
rates of unemployment and poverty in the state.

Monday, May 09, 2016

Hear one of America's most fearless activists speak

Rev. Pinkney on Sunday May 8.
Nothing less than inspiring.

Appeals Hearing, this week: Wednesday, May 11, 10am, Court of Appeals, Grand Rapids  -  Press conference outside the courthouse, 11:30am after the hearing.

https://Spreaker.com/user/oppermanreport/rev-ed-pinkney:

Monday, May 02, 2016

BANCO Press Release: Court of Appeals Hearing for Faith Leader, Activist, in Election Fraud Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
from Benton Harbor BANCO (Black Autonomy Network Community Organization)

May 2, 2016

Contacts:
David Sole, 3 1 3 6 8 0 5 5 0 8; Joe Peery, 3 1 2 7 8 8 0 3 8 0
http://bhbanco.org

Court of Appeals Hearing for Faith Leader, Activist, in Election Fraud Case

Constitutional rights violations alleged in case of Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor

GRAND RAPIDS—After 17 months behind bars, Rev. Edward Pinkney, 67, will have his case heard Wednesday, May 11, 10am at the Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids. A press conference will be held outside the courthouse at 11:30am after the hearing. A panel of three judges will hear arguments from Rev. Pinkney’s attorney, Tim Holloway. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan and the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) both filed friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the appeal. Mark Fancher of the Racial Justice Project at the ACLU will also deliver oral arguments.

The defense appeal brief argues, in part, that Rev. Pinkney’s trial violated the Michigan Rules of Evidence and his Constitutional rights to free speech and due process when Pinkney’s political and community activities were admitted as evidence. A veteran community activist from Benton Harbor, Pinkney was convicted last November on five felony counts of forgery based on allegations that he changed five dates on a petition intended to recall Mayor James Hightower. He maintains his innocence and was sentenced to 30 to 120 months in prison. He is currently incarcerated in Marquette Branch Prison where he says he has been targeted with racist harassment, threats, and intimidation from correctional officers.

“There are so many violations of Rev. Pinkney’s rights it’s hard to believe. Three witnesses stated emphatically that Rev. Pinkney was not present when another person altered the petition,” said Michigan civil rights attorney Hugh Buck Davis. “The prosecutor in the case was allowed to use Rev. Pinkney’s community activism as evidence. This is a serious violation of the Reverend’s First Amendment rights and due process. When the defense attorney raised objections, the judge called his constitutionally-based arguments ‘emotional rhetoric.’”

Pinkney and his supporters believe his human rights activism has made him a target of political persecution by local government and business interests. Pinkney’s arrest warrant for the non-violent charges was served by a SWAT team surrounding his home at gunpoint. Such tactics, Pinkney says, are designed to intimidate all Benton Harbor residents who speak up against Whirlpool Corporation and local officials. Supporters charge that the unjustified prosecution amounts to election fraud.

Pinkney and other members of the Benton Harbor community group, BANCO (Black Autonomy Network Community Organization), have lead multiple petition drives to recall local officials as one strategy of their campaign to promote democracy, civil rights, and economic justice in the county. Whirlpool Corp. is headquartered in Benton Harbor, which is 96% African-American and has among the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the state. Mayor Hightower’s opposition to a city income tax that would have affected Whirlpool Corp. resulted in the community’s effort to recall him.

BANCO and Pinkney have protested the four emergency managers, appointed by the governor under Michigan’s controversial Emergency Manager Law, who have operated the city instead of democratically-elected officials. BANCO was also among the most vocal opponents of the Harbor Shores golf course and luxury development that appropriated lakeshore land formerly designated as a Benton Harbor city park. BANCO and supporters around the region plan to protest this year’s Senior PGA tournament on May 28 in Benton Harbor.

May Day in Detroit

Rev. Pinkney's name was lifted up by numerous speakers and marchers at the May Day protest and march in Detroit yesterday. "Gov. Snyder should be in prison, not Rev. Pinkney!" "Free Rev. Pinkney!"

Abayomi Azikiwe and May Day protesters in Detroit.

MECAWI Press Release: Appeals Hearing

Michigan Emergency Committee
Against War & Injustice
5920 Second Avenue, Detroit 48202                 313 680 5508                       MECAWI.org

April 27, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Conference: Wed., May 11, 2016
Outside Michigan Court of Appeals: 350 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids, 49503
11:30 AM
CONTACT: DAVID SOLE
313 680 5508

Court of Appeals to hear case of
Michigan Political Prisoner, the Rev. Edward Pinkney, May 11

After 17 months behind bars, the Rev. Edward Pinkney’s case will finally be heard by the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids. A three judge panel will hear oral arguments from Rev. Pinkney’s attorney, Tim Holloway, along with an attorney representing the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Holloway, the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) all filed lengthy appeal briefs back in September and November of 2015. Supporters of Rev. Pinkney will be traveling from all across Michigan to pack the court (10 AM) and will hold a press conference following the court session outside the courthouse at 11:30 AM.

            Rev. Pinkney, an African American community organizer from Benton Harbor, Michigan, was charged with changing five dates on petitions to recall then mayor James Hightower in 2014. At trial absolutely no evidence was ever presented that linked Rev. Pinkney to the alleged altered petition dates. There were no witnesses, no confession, no handwriting testimony and no chain of custody to the petitions which were handled by many different people.

            The all-white jury was told by the prosecutor that they didn’t need evidence and that they should convict Rev. Pinkney because he was a leader of the recall campaign, spoke at press conferences, organized legal picket lines against Whirlpool Corp. and “invited Jesse Jackson to Benton Harbor.” This outrageous argument by prosecutor Sepic was allowed by Judge Schrock. The jury dutifully convicted Rev. Pinkney and he was sentenced to 2.5 to 10 years in prison.

            The ACLU and NLG joined the case with amicus curiae briefs because of the serious threat to everyone’s civil liberties if the prosecutor’s argument is allowed to stand and be applied to other activists and protestors. Leaders can be convicted with no evidence except their role in Constitutionally protected free speech and assembly activities.


            Supporters of Rev. Pinkney have worked tirelessly for the past two years to demand his freedom and to demand an end to the harassment and abuse that he has suffered inside the prisons, particularly the remote Marquette Branch Prison in the Upper Peninsula, 500 miles away from his wife and friends.