Sunday, November 15, 2009

Stand For Eleven Black Women


STAND FOR ELEVEN BLACK WOMEN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 7 PM

VIGIL OUTDOORS 7 P.M.
EAST
123 RD AND IMPERIAL AVENUE, CLEVELAND, OH

COMMUNITY AFFIRMATION FORUM (AFTER THE VIGIL)

SPONSORED BY BLACK ON BLACK CRIME, PEACE IN THE HOOD, SURVIVORS AND
VICTIMS OF TRAGEDY
CONTACT thepeopleforum@gmail.com 440-623-0492
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179595463087


The remains of the eleven slain African-American women were discovered
in a Cleveland neighborhood, less than two miles from the affluent
Shaker Heights community where President Obama recently visited to
address national health care.

The Cleveland neighborhood where the horrific crimes occurred has been
hit hard economically. In Cleveland's Ward 4 known as the Mount
Pleasant
area, 414 homes are in foreclosure, 887 vacant houses were counted,
and 72% of homes are run by single females.

Local community groups feel that most of these deaths could have been
prevented if Cleveland Police and city government would take reports of missing
people seriously. There are currently 77 women reported missing in
Cleveland; 21 women reported missing in the Mount Pleasant area.
(WOIO-TV news, Nov. 7, 2009)

The Eleven Black Women found dead and buried at the home of alleged
serial killer, Anthony Sowell, has brought Cleveland's
African-American Community, and some
supporters, out to support the families of the dead women and
other missing people, and to get answers.

Following the lead of Survivors/Victims of Tragedy, Inc. and Black on Black
Crime, Inc., the People of the Imperial Avenue area and the Mount Pleasant
Task Force are demanding the creation of a Missing Persons Department in
the city of Cleveland and other proactive initiatives.

People of the Imperial Avenue area also recognize that they have a
certain responsibility of getting to know their neighbors, like "the
way it used to be."

As ten of the victims have now been identified,
a vigil and community forum are planned for November 16. An intense
effort has been initiated for wider participation from all people of
diverse ethnic and economic sectors.

Vigil organizers stated, "African-American activists associated with
the Mt. Pleasant Task Force have supported plenty of rallies for other
people and causes. It's time to come to the aid of our
African-American Sisters and Brothers. It takes the whole community to
aid in the healing of the victim's families and overcome the fear and
horror felt by the people of Mt. Pleasant."

The impact on the children of the Mt. Pleasant area is a special concern. What
fears are they living with? These fears are known by all the children
of many of Cleveland's poor, ethnic communities and religious faiths.
The fear of someone coming for them in the night, losing their
parent(s), or being hungry or homeless.

Organizers proclaimed, "the women and children of Mount Pleasant area
deserve to feel safe and secure. All women deserve relief from the
fear of being preyed upon."



Many ethnic communities have experienced this scale of racism in the
USA, in our jaded history. Fear-mongering against certain races or
faiths in this nation disparages the integrity of the US, it divides the nation,
perhaps by design; it divides the cities and the neighborhoods

Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are highly segregated There are Black
neighborhoods, and Latino neighborhoods, and White suburbs; and the
list goes on. This has a detrimental effect on the viability of the
underprivileged sectors, perpetuating unemployment, poverty, poor
education, breakdown of family structure, increased crime, children in fear,
and at-risk, and further disparity between rich and poor.

From Palestine to Kabul, to Baghdad to Cleveland, Ohio, human rights
suffer for the sake of colonial wars and occupations perpetrated by the US
and its corporate and military allies. The exorbitant military expenditures of the US
leave few resources for meaningful economic recovery for the nation's cities and peoples.

Governmental and social neglect of human rights and dignity of the
poor, and people of color, breeds crime, violence, and despair in our
cities.

STAND FOR ELEVEN BLACK WOMEN - MISSING PEOPLE - AND ALL WOMEN

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