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Sankofa.Org Issues Statement Urging Artists and People to St

We at Sankofa.org, along with the rest of the world, have been riveted and dismayed upon witnessing the blatant oppression in Ferguson, MO of people, mostly Black Americans who have attempted to peacefully demonstrate and stand up for the violation of their natural civil and human rights.

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Sankofa.Org Issues Statement Urging Artists and People to St

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  1. Sankofa.OrgIssuesStatement UrgingArtistsandPeople toStandupandDemandSocialJusticeinFerguson We atSankofa.org, alongwiththerestof theworld,have beenriveted anddismayeduponwitnessingtheblatantoppressioninFerguson,MOofpeople, mostly BlackAmericanswhohave attemptedtopeacefullydemonstrateandstandup for theviolationof theirnaturalcivilandhumanrights. NewYork,NY,September 07,2014 –WeatSankofa.org, along withtherestof theworld,havebeenrivetedand dismayed uponwitnessing theblatant oppressioninFerguson,MOofpeople,mostlyBlackAmericanswhohaveattempted topeacefullydemonstrateand stand up fortheviolationoftheirnatural civiland humanrights.Sankofaisdeeplyheartbroken thatyet anotherblackmotherand fatherhassuffered thepainand deathof theirunarmedchild asaresult ofaquestionableandunmitigatedactofviolence. Ourheartsgoouttoall thefamilyand friendsofMichael Brown. Sankofa.orgapplaudsthecourageand braveryof theFergusoncommunitywhohaveunitedtogetherand also galvanized anational and international outcry toend themilitarizationby thepoliceandrestorehopeand peace intheircommunity. “Weappreciate alltheartistsand people alike whoareheeding ourcall and speakingout to answerthequestion,WhatDoYouStand For?”saysCo-Director, GinaBelafonte. OneofSankofa.org’scoremissionsistoendsystemicviolenceinoursociety.Sankofa.org believes,likeitsfounderHarryBelafonte,that asacommunityofartistswemust beacounterbalance,a communicationchannel,toinform,educate,inspireandempower.Sankofa.org intends todoitsparttore-ignitethekind ofactivismthatjustdoesn’t petitionfora“moreperfect union,”butdemandsit.AsMartinLutherKing,Jr., stated succinctly,“Changedoesnot rollinon thewheelsofinevitability,butcomes throughcontinuousstruggle.Andsowemust straightenourbacksandworkforourfreedom." Raoul Roach,Co-Director stated,“Althoughweapplaud themovebytheJusticeDepartmentto openaCivilRightsinvestigationintopolicing practicesinFergusonandsurrounding communities,weseethisasonlyafirststep.”Itisnow thepeople’sresponsibilitytomakethe“State” (i.e.,local, stateand federal authorities),accountabletoitscitizenry,and make itclear that wedemand swift action.Thatdemand will onlybetakenseriouslyifwemaketheStateuncomfortableinits abilitytodelayjusticeandallowoppressiontocontinue incommunities likeFerguson. Sankofa.orgisworking andbuildingcoalitionson theground inFergusonand aroundthe country.Theorganizationrecentlysent artistsand activists toMissouri toassess,connect andidentify indigenousleadership and workwith themtofind tacticalsolutionsthatwill hopefullybring trueand lasting empowerment totheFergusoncommunity.Sankofa.org isalsocontinuing to convenemeetingsbeyondFerguson toidentifymeaningfulsupportand resources. Sankofa.orgurgescitizensof theUnited Statesand theworld tojoin thisnecessarymovement,tobeferventlypersistent and toletthepeople’svoicesring loudlyandcontinuetodemonstrate

  2. for justice.Weencourageartistsand activists tospeakout,organizeand usetheirtoolsand crafttosupport communitieslikeFerguson.We will not end social injusticeunlesswemaintainourvigilanceand leverageourpolitical,economicand cultural strength todemandandachievenon-violent and lasting change. Sankofaisasocial justiceorganizationfounded by iconicactivist/entertainerHarryBelafontethat enlists thesupport oftoday'smost celebrated artistsand influential individualsincollaborationwithgrassrootspartners toelevatethevoicesof thedisenfranchised,and topromotepeaceandequality.Formoreinformationgoto: www.sankofa.org Contact: Chip SchutzmanMilesHighProductions P.O.Box93157 Hollywood, CA90093 323-806-0400 http://www.mileshighproductions.com/ ###

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