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Organizing and Mobilizing for Justice!

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Assistant Editor- | Last updated: Feb 2, 2016 - 6:02:43 PM

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A critical time for America as Saviours’ Day 2016 draws near and Justice Or Else! Local Organizing Committees work hard nationwide

Following the monumental #JusticeOrElse gathering on October 10, 2015 in Washington, D.C., many Local Organizing Committees across the United States sprang into action and are working tirelessly to show communities and the world that though 10-10-15 was a memorable day, it went beyond that moment. It was the beginning of a unified effort that has grown into a movement focused on improving educational, economic, cultural, social and political conditions.

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“No More Bloodshed” movement action led by Deric Muhammad and Pastor E. A. Deckard in the Houston, Texas Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade calling for nonviolence to be practiced in our own communities. Photo: Jesse Muhammad

The world witnessed the impact of collective action with a nationwide boycott of businesses on Black Friday, America’s annual retail shopping holiday the day after Thanksgiving. Many businesses experienced tremendous drops in foot traffic and retail earnings that continued throughout the Christmas shopping season. The boycott was designed to “Redistribute the Pain” felt by Blacks suffering under injustice in America through a targeted anti-spending effort.

Holiday earning results are still being tabulated, but it is clear this shopping season did not make merchants happy. Macy’s recently announced plans to eliminate 4,500 workers and big box behemoth WalMart announced upcoming store closings nationwide. Best Buy, Sears and K-Mart also announced financial troubles due in large part to weak retail sales over the holidays, according to reports.

Saviours’ Day and What’s Next?

Following the #JusticeOrElse gathering, many wanted to know: “What’s Next?” LOCs across the country continued to meet and strategize after Oct. 10 and are awaiting more direct instructions and action items that will be given at the Nation of Islam’s annual Saviours’ Day convention.

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The ‘10,000 Fearless’ headquarters of the South, People United For Change and Sankofa Church partnered to feed the community free food in an area known as “The Bluff”. Photos: Sharrief Muhammad/Facebook
Saviours’ Day 2016 will be held in Detroit and marks 86 years of the Nation of Islam’s existence in North America. In some 190 cities in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, many will gather to view Minister Farrakhan’s keynote message live via internet webcast. His keynote address will be delivered Feb. 21 at Joe Louis Arena. Doors open at 12 noon. The program begins at 2 p.m. Convention activities will be held at the Cobo Center.

During the “Justice Or Else!” tour, Minister Farrakhan called for “10,000 fearless” willing to be trained in strategies and sacrifice their lives, if necessary, to make Black communities safe and decent places to live. Many have heeded the call—men and women—to improve conditions.

Student Minister Nuri Muhammad has been speaking all over the United States, often two or three times in each city. He was motivated by the Minister who has clearly been doing his part to make Justice Or Else a reality. Nuri Muhammad has visited over 15 high schools and four colleges within the last month month trying to do his part.

“When someone makes a proposal, the idea is great, grand, perfect, creative, exact; but if somebody else doesn’t second the motion then the motion dies on the floor,” said Nuri Muhammad. “I’m making sure that the subjects are structured around the theme of ‘Be The Or Else!’ we promoted all the way from April to October 10, Justice Or Else! Now we have to ‘Be The Or Else’ in order for that which we were pushing to be realized.”

Answering a crisis in Flint, Mich.

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As they are preparing to host Saviours’ Day 2016, the members of Muhammad Mosque No. 1 in Detroit, MI led by Student Minister Troy Muhammad (center) took the time to gather and transport bottles of water for the people of Flint, MI.
Gov. Rick Snyder switched Flint, Mich., back to using Detroit as a water source as of Oct. 1, and there are plans for $6 million to come from the state alongside a $4 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The funds and a discount on water from Detroit should help offset water costs for one year, he said.

Residents have been using water with dangerously high levels of lead contamination and are calling for Gov. Snyder’s resignation. Many want the governor and former Flint, Mich., Emergency Manager Darnell Earley to face criminal charges. They insist the failures, which put men, women and children in danger, amount to criminal negligence and a refusal to heed warnings that the water was harmful. 

Members of Nation of Islam mosques and study groups in the Central Region from Chicago, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Mich., and Detroit donated and transported bottled water to Flint residents in need. Student Minister Abel Muhammad, of Chicago, organized a broad effort. Not only do they need clean water in Flint, but the people also need basic goods and services so anything that can be sent to the people will help, he said.

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(top) People from all walks of life have responded to this tragic case of environmental racism in Flint, MI by donating bottles of water. Photos: Abel Muhammad, Troy Muhammad/Facebook (bottom) Brothers unloading bottles of water, doing their part to serve and assist the people of Flint, MI who through no fault of their own, have been exposed to drinking water with high levels of lead contamination. Photos: Troy Muhammad/Facebook

Economic battles in Waxahachie, Texas

Members of the Nation of Islam and the Waxahachie, Texas LOC stood outside of a Korean-owned beauty supply shop and redirected potential customers to Empress Beauty Supply, a Black-owned store. Many Black residents in this small town of nearly 32,000 had no idea that a Black-owned business alternative existed. Student Minister Malik Muhammad, Waxahachie’s Nation of Islam study group coordinator, can be seen in YouTube videos explaining to Black customers the importance of supporting their own, much to the dismay of Korean shop owners. Significant numbers of customers opted to shop at Empress Beauty Supply, which has Black employees and features Black-made products.

Ending ‘beefs’ in New Orleans

Student Minister Willie Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 46 and the New Orleans Peace Keepers made the cover of a recent edition of The Times-Picayune for their success in stopping young Black men from engaging in fratricidal conflict. They have successfully mediated nearly 30 beefs saving countless lives.

“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said that he wanted the Peace Keepers conflict resolution model to be the national model for the 10,000 Fearless,” Student Minister Muhammad said. The New Orleans Peace Keepers have launched a 504KeepthePeace art contest for high school students to see who can develop the best artwork with an anti-gun violence theme and message. The winner will receive a cash prize and their artwork will be displayed around the city.

Setting up a beachhead in Atlanta

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The 10,000 Fearless headquarters of the South Community patrol bus.
In Atlanta Student Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad, the Southern regional representative of the Nation of Islam, and Reverend Timothy McDonald, pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church, have partnered to lead the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee of Justice Or Else!. In 1995, Rev. McDonald served as Atlanta LOC head. After the October gathering Rev. McDonald and Student Minister Sharrieff Muhammad went to work to establish what they call the 10,000 Fearless Men & Women Headquarters of the South.

The 10,000 Fearless Headquarters of the South is located in “The Bluff,” an area in Atlanta where crime and violence is high. Their hard work and determination has already resulted in a school bus for transportation, a patrol car and donations continue to pour in. Not only is the headquarters a source for ending crime in the community, but according to Student Minister Sharrieff Muhammad, numerous confrontations have been quelled as a result of the presence of Christians and Muslims who have come together in “love and unity” to make peace.

Focusing on tainted vaccinations in Miami

In Miami, the Justice Or Else! Local Organizing Committee has had two town hall meetings, one focusing heavily on dangerous and tainted vaccinations. This is especially relevant in Miami, where Congresswoman Fredericka Wilson is trying to pass a bill to make vaccines mandatory for children to attend school. The Miami LOC put together a letter informing the congresswoman of the dangers of vaccines and presenting their opposition to her bill.

In a meeting with the congresswoman’s staff, Student Regional Minister Patrick Muhammad, his wife Eiliyah Muhammad, Phillip Muhammad, chairperson of the Miami LOC, and Dr. Toni Bark, a pediatrician and vaccine activist, presented petitions signed by people worried about the negative effects vaccines could have on the community. Planning is underway for a future meeting with Rep. Wilson that will include Dr. Robert Kennedy, of the Kennedy political clan and an advocate for safe vaccines, and Tony Muhammad, the Nation of Islam’s Western region student minister who has also been on the forefront of this battle.

Several community leaders have participated in the 7th Region Local Organizing Committee in Miami, including Steven Johnson, the president of 100 Black Men in Miami. The president of the Urban League Miami has offered to aid in the cause. The Orlando LOC has been gathering pastors to establish conflict resolution centers. The Ft. Lauderdale LOC is working with pastors, young Black lawyers and Black business owners to establish conflict resolution centers. They are also working with an organization called Diplomats for Change that conducts workshops for youth ages 10-18.

The work of the LOCs are making a difference in Florida, said Student Minister Patrick Muhammad. “There are even police officers and street organizers who are willing to work with us to establish conflict resolution centers,” he said.

‘No More Bloodshed’ in Houston

In Houston, the #NoMoreBloodshed Movement led by Deric Muhammad and Pastor E.A. Deckard marched in the Houston Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade—but they are not just marching. Deric Muhammad and Pastor Deckard have been leading the call for non violence to be practiced within the Black community. (Information about The No More Bloodshed movement is available  at http://nomorebs.org/)

In addition, Artists Respecting Community (A.R.C.) have sparked a cultural revolution as many area performers came together in a series of powerful action-oriented meetings at Muhammad Mosque No. 45 hosted by Robert Muhammad, the Southwestern Regional representative of the Nation of Islam. The hashtag #Artists4Justice has spread as social media strategist Jesse Muhammad trains an army of youth and uses their skill, talent and technical abilities to elevate the minds and discussions of young students across the globe.

Confronting police reform in Greensboro, N.C.

Student Minister Willie Muhammad and Kim Muhammad, who performed interpretations for the hearing-impaired during Minister Farrakhan’s message at Justice Or Else!, and other committee members have focused on setting up ministries to address problems in the city.

Taryn J. Muhammad told The Final Call community residents and groups are working together, focusing on economic empowerment, police brutality and respecting their different views.

“Student Minister Willie has always of course pushed the spiritual side of our empowerment and he has made sure that the community understands that there’s a place for everyone in the LOC,” said Taryn J. Muhammad. The Justice Or Else! mobilization has personally reinvigorated her fighting spirit and activism as a concerned parent and Greensboro resident. She has been a fixture at community meetings held to discuss reforming the local police department and has a reputation for focusing on details, commitments and holding police officials accountable.

“Everyone needs to figure out that one thing that moves them to fight and fight heartily because there’s a mighty work to be done, and each of us has a place in that work; we just have to figure out what it is,” said Taryn J. Muhammad. “Once we figure it out through our individual gift, at that point there’s nothing that can stop us.”

Opposing mandatory vaccines in California

Student Minister Tony Muhammad, Western Regional representative of the Nation of Islam, has been on the front lines of the battle to prevent Black families and children from being victimized by unsafe vaccines. In 2015, he arranged a meeting between Min. Farrakhan and Atty. Robert Kennedy and joined protests against mandatory vaccine laws in California. After the Justice Or Else! gathering in D.C., he led a multi-racial group of protestors Oct. 23—including members of the Nation of Islam—in demanding answers about vaccine safety and research from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

On the streets, building unity in Chicago

When representatives from the United Nations held a recent hearing and collected testimony from leaders of grassroots organizations who have been in Chicago’s streets for months, the city’s Local Organizing Committee, its partners and members were there. Whatever vehicle allows oppressed people to express themselves and shows the world the level of injustice inside America should be utilized, said Jeffrey Muhammad, chairman of the Chicago LOC.

He has worked closely with veteran organizers T.J. Crawford and Willie “J.R.” Fleming of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign as well as young activists Lamon Reccord and Ja’Mal Greene to push for justice and confront police brutality.

Black people in America are victims of injustice, discrimination, and inhumane treatment in the areas of housing, jobs, education, and brutality at the hands of police departments nationwide, Jeffrey Muhammad noted.

The faces of members of the Fruit of Islam from Mosque Maryam in Chicago were seen worldwide on Black Friday as their calm presence and disciplined demeanor maintained order during protests on the Magnificent Mile.

The Chicago LOC has focused heavily on youth recruitment and mobilization as well as economic empowerment through connecting with and supporting Black businesses. Their efforts have resulted in a Kwanza celebration at Muhammad University that showcased Black businesses and vendors, a talent showcase for young poets and artists at Salaam restaurant and leading a walk-out of students at Chicago State University, where students and student leaders are demanding that the governor resolve a budget impasse that threatens to shut down the school and disrupt the lives of students. The state has not funded public universities and the Chicago LOC and students walked out and shutdown a major highway as part of an ongoing campaign to force the governor to fund public education at Chicago State, which is a predominantly Black institution. Activists and youth have also spoken and performed at Sunday mosque meetings in Chicago.

(Janiya X from the 7th Region and Rhodesia Muhammad from the Southwestern Region contributed to this report. There will be more details and information regarding Saviours’ Day 2016 in next week’s edition of The Final Call.)