‘Occupying the Corners’ in the ATL

By Kenetta Muhammad | Last updated: Nov 25, 2015 - 9:24:50 AM

In Atlanta, the Nation of Islam joined forces with the National Action Network, Unite or Die Campaign and the Local Organizing Committee of the Justice Or Else movement to help make the streets safer for residents. Left to right, Terrence Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 15, Mary Pat-Hector, national youth director for NAN and Southern Regional Student Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad. Photo: Khalif Ali Muhammad

ATLANTA— The National Action Network (NAN), Muhammad Mosque No. 15, the Unite or Die Campaign and the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee of the Justice Or Else! Movement, joined forces and took to the streets to “Occupy the Corners” near the West End and AUC Area, which includes Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University.

NAN pushed the initiative behind the leadership of the groups National Youth Director Mary Pat-Hector. NAN is a civil rights organization founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton. Its call for justice reflects a goal of the Nation of Islam as outlined in Point #2 of the Muslim Program: What the Muslims Want which states, “We want justice. Equal justice under the law. We want justice applied equally to all, regardless of creed or class or color.”

Nation of Islam Student Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 15 heard Mary Pat-Hector speak at the Atlanta LOC meeting about the increasing violence in the West End and AUC towards college students and the elderly. Immediately, Student Minister Muhammad put out a call for the F.O.I., the men of the Nation of Islam and the Atlanta LOC to join forces and back NAN in efforts to secure the corners for students and residents. During the nights of November 6 and 7 from 6-9 p. m., Ms. Hector and Student Minister Muhammad led everyone to “Occupy the Corners.” On both those nights there were no reports of violence or crime in the area. During one point the F.O.I. helped push a woman’s car to the nearest parking lot after it broke down.

It was a night of love and unity as people came together to help to transform a community and follow the instructions of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in his call for 10,000 fearless men and women to help go into Black communities to keep peace.

“As we are occupying the corners we want to give our community resources that will strengthen them. I am just disappointed in the local pastors for not doing what they personally told me they would do and stand with us as we occupied the corners. What happened to your word is your bond? We held down six corners with NAN, NAACP, Unite or Die, Spelman, Morehouse and Minister Sharrieff and the Nation of Islam,” said Ms. Hector.

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