January, 2007

Voices from Benton Harbor, Mich.
Update from Rev. Pinkney

Rev. Pinkney PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY

Rev. Edward Pinkney made a motion for a continuance in his re-trial for "voter fraud." The court ordered the transcript of the first trial, but at the expense of Rev. Pinkney, who had to put up his home as collateral. Hugo Davis, his lawyer, moved for a continuance of the trial date to March 13, 2007, because the court failed to produce the transcript in a timely manner. The motion was granted.

In December, Rev. Edward Pinkney's attorney filed a motion for a Direct Verdict to Squash the Information and to dismiss counts three to five of his charges. These counts are in violation of his constitutional rights/due process. The statute of being in possession of absentee ballots creates a felony offense, but there was no evidence presented at the preliminary examination that showed that Rev. Pinkney had any knowledge that it was illegal to possess and/or deliver absentee ballots.

Everyone's support is needed at an important hearing on several constitutional issues on January 25, 2007, at 9 a.m. at the Berrien County Courthouse, 811 Port Street in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Call 269-925-0001 for information.

Mattie Smith (left) and Marquette Coates. PHOTO/SANDY REID

"It's hard to figure out who's decent to vote for. I want someone to do what they say they are going to do. Do it for the community and world. Nobody is fair anymore with the heart or mind. We have to stand up in a unity and make them quit. If we don't, they will do us any kind of way. We can't let that happen. We have to stand up."
-- Marquette Coates

"Police had a guy on the ground telling him to put his hands up. They had guns to his head, beating him. I thought--what is the problem? He's down. They told me to mind my own business. That symbol on the side of police cars that says "Serve and Protect"--there's no such thing in Benton Harbor. One day I was stopped three times moving about my apartment complex. I asked an officer, why? He said, 'I don't need a reason.' A lot of poor are scared to speak up. They need to get that fear out of them. If they know someone will be at their back, they'll speak up. The harassment is related to the redevelopment. They want everyone to move since the jobs are leaving. I see all these homeless kids out here. I hate to see hungry people. I'll feed anybody."
-- Mattie Smith

"A Berrien County Circuit Judge sentenced a 16 year old to 16-1/2 to 50 years in prison for robbery of the Nextel Telephone Co., despite that nobody was hurt. I heard the young defendant manage to utter this through a heavy row of tears. The Department of Corrections has one thing to offer a teenager and that's bitterness. It takes a cold-blooded, heartless individual to damage a child. Since the Judge was white and he was Black, she felt that she did her honorable duties. And believe me, it's a conspiracy to get rid of Blacks….corruption and racism is alive in Berrien County. Please don't wait until it hits home. Join together and have corrupt judges and prosecutors removed. I urge all Pastors to bring your congregations together as one, and rid ourselves of these wrongs and bring in the right."
-- Craig Shivers, prisoner

Whirlpool vs. the People

Rev. Pinkney went to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board of Trustees, a special meeting in Lansing, to challenge Whirlpool's takeover of Benton Harbor. Rev Pinkney spoke for the people in Benton Harbor -- with its 70% unemployment, and 90% of people living below the poverty level. He asked why Benton Harbor, with so much poverty, would want an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a boat launch, and about 30 homes that cost around a million dollars each, built on city property? The City Council is voting on the golf course. This could be the last stand, but the battle continues for the people of Benton Harbor to keep their city.

Rev. Pinkney is available to speak.

Call Speakers for a New America at 800-691-6888. Also, order a new film, "What's Going on in Benton Harbor?" produced by Tri City Production, for $10.