People's Tribune: Why is there hunger in the midst of plenty?

Back to the January, 2008 issue

It’s time to make a decision, Benton Harbor

From left, Belinda Brown, Rev. Anderson and Rev. Pinkney in court.
PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY.COM

By Belind Brown

Edward Pinkney is fulfilling the call of God by speaking the truth. The corrupt Berrien County Court system must stop oppressing the people. According to Psalm 82:4, judges are commanded to: “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” When there is no justice, the people become a prey for the forces of darkness. The Lord asks who will listen to this word that explains the sad plight of God’s people when there is no deliverance. Unfortunately, many ignore this word. This man of God is not a coward or afraid to stand up. He has walked that courthouse up and down. He knows how people are treated. He knows the employees that are corrupt. They see people being hurt and families torn apart by this racist system. Until we have an outcry for justice, these people will keep doing whatever they want to do. We need to come up with strategies. We need to talk to the young people. We need national and international attention. We need to keep reaching out to other organizations, and boycott businesses that don’t support the community.

Now, that the truth has been spoken, it’s time to make a decision. Can you truly afford to sit on the sidelines and let this traumatic injustice go on? Or, are you courageous enough to stand up and act on what God has clearly revealed? It’s time to come together, for your good, and the good of your loved ones. Think deeply about the famous warning given by Sir Winston Churchill: “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” I hope we can all realize that “escapism” is intellectually and spiritually dishonest and cowardly!

This Man of God Has Stood UP For You When You Were Afraid to Stand UP For Yourself. This Man Of God Has Inspired Some of You to Get an Attorney When You Wanted TO Plead Guilty to something you did not do. This Man Of God Has Monitored those court appointed Attorneys Who have tricked you into False Guilty Pleads and Lesser Charges just so that the court can take your money.

The truth behind the Pinkney case

From the editors

Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Mich., convicted by an all-white jury of “voter fraud” in March 2007, was sentenced on December 20 to one year in jail as a result of an alleged parole violation based on an article appearing in the People’s Tribune. The final outcome of these free speech issues will be determined in a second hearing some time in January.

The backdrop to this case is a raging struggle for justice by Benton Harbor’s poor, and others, against the take-over of their town and lake-front park property by the giant global corporation, Whirlpool. The redevelopment that is sweeping Benton Harbor, like New Orleans, and other cities across the nation, aims to displace the poor in favor of high-end properties and amusements for the rich.

The arrest of Rev. Pinkney for utilizing his right to free speech, the trumped-up charges of “voter fraud” intended to silence Pinkney and others, are part of a whole process in which the legal battles move into the political arena in order to strip the people of their right to freedom of expression. It is a small part of the motion toward fascism in this country.

It is important to note that in American history, revolutionary movements begin not so much to achieve new rights, but to hold on to those the people have. The Civil War’s beginnings were not rooted in an effort to liberate the slaves or to preserve the Union. It began as the mass response to the slave power’s attempt to silence the anti-slavery forces—and their newspapers—in the decades leading up to the war.

We know from history that during such periods of economic and political transition as our country is entering, there is an objective motion on the part of the ruling class to establish a fascist dictatorship in order to maintain their control. Every expression of that motion—no matter how small—must be exposed and fought. If Whirlpool’s ruling clique in Benton Harbor wants to attack the community for defending their freedom of expression, we are ready for that fight.

Wealth gotten by dishonesty shall be diminished

“God created us as good creatures but unfortunately some have chosen to turn away from good, enslaving themselves to evil, corruption and deceitfulness, which caused them to become blind to biblical truths and justice. My husband, Rev. Edward Pinkney, has been wrongfully convicted by the capitalist class who profits off the enslavement of the innocent. Proverb 13th chapter, 11th verse says wealth, gotten by dishonesty (capitalists) shall be deminished but He (Pinkney) that gathereth by honest labor shall increase in power.”

— Dorothy Pinkney

Pinkney has fought for justice for the community

“Rev. Edward Pinkney has been a stalwart fighter for justice in the community and is leading its resistance to these powerful corporate interests. Rev. Pinkney has succeeded in bringing whites and blacks together in this fight for justice. And we know that powerful interests view that as a no-no. Please write letters asking for justice for Rev. Pinkney and the people of Benton Harbor. I know that our concerted work together will change things.”

— Cynthia McKinney,
Presidential candidate
and former member of Congress

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