#learnandeducate

Observation of Black August began in the California prison system in 1979 when prisoners started wearing black armbands and studying Black historical events to honor the fallen in the Marin County incident, the Soledad Brothers, and all who had been unjustly incarcerated or killed in prison.  They also began fasting for the entire month between sun up and sundown to recognize the sacrifice of the fallen BGF [Black Guerilla Family] and Black Panther Party members, and showed restraint by abstaining from sex, drinking alcohol, or doing drugs. Loud and boastful behavior was not allowed. Support for the prison’s canteen was also disavowed. Daily exercises were held to sharpen minds, bodies, and spirits in honor of the collective principles of self-sacrifice, inner fortitude and revolutionary discipline needed to advance the New Afrikan struggle for self-determination and freedom. ________________________________________________ Khatari Gaulden, was one of the key intellectual architects of the Black August commemorative tradition and was a prominent leader of the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) after Comrade George was assassinated. He was assassinated by the malicious intent of the government to deny him medical treatment following a mysterious accident on the prison yard. ________________________________________________ Jonathan Jackson tried to demand George’s freedom by holding five people, including a judge and jurors, hostage from a Marin County courtroom with three other Black Panther Party members. ________________________________________________ George Jackson was assassinated by a tower guard inside San Quentin Prison.  Some reports allege that he was attempting to escape, while others imply that a mass rebellion had taken place. #pepperspraymedia #blackaugust #georgejackson #blackcommunity #prisons #august #206bpp #khatarigaulden. #jonathanjackson #marincountycourthouseshootout #blacklivesmatter #learnandeducate #blackguerillafamily #sanquentin #blackpantherparty #thesoledadbrothers #assassinated #prisoners

“Each year officially since 1979 we have used the month of August to focus on the oppressive treatment of our brothers and sisters disappeared inside the state run gulags and concentration camps America calls prisons. It is during this time that we concentrate our efforts to free our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, and all other captive family and friends who have been held in isolation for decade after decade beyond their original sentence. Many of these individuals are held in the sensory deprivation and mind control units called Security Housing Units (S.H.U. Program), without even the most basic of human rights.” – Shaka At-Thinnin, Black August Organizing Committee from, “THE ROOTS OF BLACK AUGUST” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black August has spread beyond prison walls to the Black community-at-large as a month to honor all those who’ve contributed to collective progress of the Black community and all those lost unjustly to violence and systemic racism. The purpose is to come together peacefully to learn and educate about our history and strategize about ways to end racial disparities and the list of unjust deaths and imprisonment of Blacks in America by focusing on such events that took place in August. The first documented Africans were brought to Jamestown as enslaved people in August of 1619. Nat Turner’s slave rebellion, Henry Highland Garnett’s slave strike, the Underground Railroad,  the March on Washington, and the Watts & Ferguson riots were all started in August as well and are points of reflection and study. #pepperspraymedia #blackaugust #georgejackson #blackcommunity #prisons #august #206bpp #jamestown #natturnerslaverebellion #henryhighlandgarnett #slavestrike #theundergroundrailroad #themarchonwashington #thewattsriots #thewattsuprising #ferguson #blacklivesmatter #learnandeducate

#worldaidsday #stopthestigma #learnandeducate 01.12.16 (at Warrington, England)