“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it” – James Baldwin
October is Black Panther Party Awareness Month. It’s a time to reflect on the history of the BPP, and to share the stories from the courageous Panthers who dared to fight for justice and equality.
Black Panther Party Resources:
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Veronza Bowers Jr., a veteran member of the Black Panther Party, was incarcerated for over 51 years at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina. Bowers became a role model, an author, musician, and healer, with a strong interest in Buddhist meditation and Native American spirituality, while serving a lengthy sentence
In 1973, Bowers was convicted of murder based solely on testimony from government informants who received reduced sentences. One of the informants was reportedly paid $10,000. There was no physical evidence or eyewitnesses linking Bowers to the crime. Despite maintaining his innocence for decades, his parole appeals were denied, as admission of guilt is usually required for release. Bowers was finally released in May of 2024. VB says it weighed heavily on him to be sidelined as an activist, however he was able to transcend prison walls by embracing an opportunity to grow.
Attorney and host Nkechi Taifa spoke with Veronza Bowers, Jr..
Veronza Bowers Speaks: Nkechi Taifa
Visit Veronza Bowers’ Instagram page @VeronzaBowers.
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K’Sisay Sadiki is the daughter of political prisoner Kamau Sadiki. Speaking to Block Report’s JR Valrey, she recalls what it was like being the child of revolutionary parents and being harassed by the FBI’s CounterIntelligence Program at a very young age.
She talks about her life being mentioned in the classic revolutionary book “Assata”, which is written by political exile Assata Shakur, who is also the mother of her sister. K’Sisay will be performing @ the Curb fest for political prisoners in HTX, Oct. 26th.
To learn more and support Kamau Sadiki, visit https://freekamau.com/.
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On September 10, 2024, the Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected Mumia Abu-Jamal’s petition for relief in the first-degree murder charges, against him. The court upheld a decision by Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Lucretia Clemons to deny an evidentiary hearing, despite the discovery of new evidence in 2021. This evidence, found in the District Attorney’s office, included a note from a key eyewitness demanding money from the prosecution and notes revealing racial bias in jury selection.
The Superior Court acknowledged that the evidence should have been disclosed, but ruled that it did not affect the outcome of the case. Abu-Jamal, who was convicted 43 years ago for the murder of a Philadelphia police officer. Mumia and his supporters continue to maintain his innocence. They have fought for decades for Mumia to be granted a fair trial.
JR Valrey of Block Report Radio spoke to Jamal Ibn Mumia, the son of political prisoner and prolific journalist, Mumia Abu Jamal.
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Mimi Rosenberg, host of WBAI’s Equal Rights and Justice, spoke to Dr. Gerald Horne about his new book, “Armed Struggle? Panthers and Communists; Black Nationalists and Liberals in Southern California Through the Sixties and Seventies” which examines the Black Panther Party’s legacy. The book also draws on Horne’s own experience in Berkeley in the ’70s. Dr. Horne is a professor of history and African American studies at the University of Houston and author of many books.
And that concludes today’s edition of Capitalism, Race & Democracy. We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by Akua Holt and the Capitalism, Race & Democracy collective, with contributions from JR Valrey, Nkechi Taifa, and Mimi Rosenberg, with editing and production support from Polina Vasiliev.
You can find this and all previous episodes at our website “capitalism race and democracy dot ORG”. Make sure you click the subscribe button. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @PacificaCRD.
Thanks for listening! –
Music:
Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science – No Justice (For Political Prisoners) ft Meshell Ndegeocello
