MALCOLMITES HONOR FAMILIES OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS / CALL FOR RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

NEW YORK, N.Y.—On Sunday, January 23^rd , the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee will proudly host its 4^th annual dinner tribute to the families of our freedom fighters at the Harlem State Office Building’s Art Gallery at 125^th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The theme for this year’s tribute is, "It Is The Year 2000! Isn’t It Time For The Black Nation To Bring Home It’s Freedom Fighters?!" According to Herman Ferguson, Chairman of the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee, " Our committee is calling for an extensive campaign to pressure Governor Pataki to commute the sentences of our political prisoners to time served and grant them clemency, just as President Clinton recently did for the Puerto Rican political prisoners." To add emphasis to the importance of this year’s theme, Ferguson continued, " We have invited members of the Black Caucus of the N.Y. State Legislature to join us as our special guests at the dinner to show their support for the families of these political prisoners."

Among the political prisoners from this area whose families will be honored are Abdul Majid and Basheer Hameed, also known as the Queens 2; Assata Shakur’s co-defendant Sundiata Acoli; fearless people’s soldiers Russell ‘Maroon" Shoats and Robert "Seth" Hayes;

Dr. Mutulu Shakur, the stepfather of the late hip-hop star Tupac Shakur, the Move 9 and "The Voice Of The Voiceless," revolutionary journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal.

The speakers for this important event are Dr. Ishakamussa Barashango, the charismatic author of the book "African-Americans, Holidays And Mental Genocide," and brother-in-law of Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad, the convener of the heroic Million Youth March and leader of the New Black Panther Party. Cultural presentations will include George Edward Tait, Poet Laureate of Harlem, Sister Amina Baraka, drummers and other cultural workers. There also will be a special presentation by ‘Black August’, a coalition of STRESS Magazine, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and Columbia University students.

The MXCC is an organization made up of comrades of the slain revolutionary Black Nationalist freedom fighter Malcolm X as well as other supporters and defenders of his legacy. Its mission is to defend the revolutionary legacy of Malcolm X from distortion and co-optation, to observe the anniversaries of his birth and his assassination, and to struggle for the recognition and release of our political prisoners and prisoners of war. The MXCC is also a member of the New Afrikan Liberation Front.

Proceeds from this $25.00 a plate dinner are donated to the commissary accounts of each political prisoner represented at the event. For further information, call (718) 949-5153.

Contact Person: Herman Ferguson, (718) 949-5153

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