Moments ago, Thomas Muhammad -- president of the Dallas chapter of the National Black United Front and organizer of Saturday's rally for Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price -- sent word that a Very Special Guest has been added the list of speakers scheduled to attend Saturday. That would be civil-rights movement icon Willie Ricks, one of the leaders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the man often credited -- even by Stokely Carmichael -- with coining the phrase "Black Power" in a June 1966 speech following the shooting of James Meredith.
Ricks, also known as Mukasa Dada, says in the NBUF's release that follows that he's met Price several times during trips to Dallas, and that when he found out about the FBI's investigation, well, he signed right up:
"Hell no we can't allow this to happen to such a strong and powerful brother who loves and helps his people. This is what Dr. King, and Brother Kwame [Stokely Carmichael] and I fought for all those damn years. Getting beat by police, bitten by vicious police dogs and facing white racist cracker Ku Klux Klansmen in the South so our people could have good people like John representing them. Tell that brother I'll be there to do whatever I can to fight against Cointelpro and will keep coming to Dallas until we see victory!"Muhammad also explains in the release who he believes is behind the JWP investigation and why. Jump for that.
"World Renowned Black Power Symbol will attend Dallas Rally"
"We declare our rights on this earth to be a man, to be a human being, to be given the rights of a human being, to be given the respect of a human being, in this day on this earth which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary!" Malcolm X
Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 10:00 am -7:00 pm the National Black United Front (NBUF)-Dallas will host a "Hands Off; Bold Black Leadership Rally" at Pan African Connections 828 Fourth Avenue (Across from Fair Park).
Willie "Mukasa" Ricks the man who coined the civil rights battle cry slogan "Black Power" will speak in Dallas during a rally in support of John Wiley Price, the Dallas County Commissioner who most feel has come under attack by Cointelpro FBI agents lead by outgoing Tea Party activist and federal prosecutor Jim Jacks.
Many believe Jacks was urged on by members of the Tea Party to try to silence Commissioner Price who had been aggressively changing the once majority Republican County to a majority "Blue" Democratic county through redistricting. The commissioner has also been very aggressive in fighting to provide better opportunities for minorities to access business contracts with the county.
When told about what was happening to the popular commissioner whom Ricks met on several occasions while visiting Dallas he said, "What? Hell no we can't allow this to happen to such a strong and powerful brother who loves and helps his people. This is what Dr. King, and Brother Kwame (Stokely Carmichael) and I fought for all those damn years. Getting beat by police, bitten by vicious police dogs and facing white racist cracker Ku Klux Klansmen in the South so our people could have good people like John representing them. Tell that brother I'll be there to do whatever I can to fight against Cointelpro and will keep coming to Dallas until we see victory!"
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called Willie Ricks "The fiery orator of SNCC" in his famous 1967 speech "Where Do We Go from Here?" at the 11th annual SCLC Conference.
James Forman a former Executive Secretary of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) said the following about Willie Ricks: "Willie Ricks must rank as one of those unknown heroes who captured the mood of history. In calling for Black Power, he caught the essence of the spirit, moving Black people in the United States and around the world who were poor, Black, and without power".
During the 1966, "Meredith March across Mississippi", Willie Ricks, then a young field secretary and Central Committee member of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, first popularized the slogan, "Black Power" that became the rallying cry for the militant Black community rebellions that shook this country to its foundations. Mukasa's introduction of the "Black Power" demand was indicative of the leadership that he has provided in the course of over 35 years of courageous struggle on behalf of poor and working African people. Beginning as a student organizer in Tennessee, where he and his family were targeted by the Klan with cross burnings and gunfire at their home, Ricks has fought on the front lines of the struggle for black freedom.
The program will feature dozens of well known speakers representing City Councils and black organizations from New York, Houston, Ft Worth, Georgia and Dallas. The leaders are coming together to join forces in bringing national spotlight to racist attacks on black leadership across America.
Partial list of speakers: Charles Barron, NY City Councilman, Jolanda Jones, Houston City Councilwoman, Cynthia McKinney, Former US Congresswoman Atlanta Georgia,
Ray Winbush, Author/Professor Morgan State University, Kofi Taharka, National Chairman NBUF, Robert Muhammad, Student Minister Regional Representative Nation of Islam along with other noted powerful local leaders representing civil rights and black nationalist organizations.
Master of Ceremonies: Thomas Muhammad, NBUF-Dallas Chapter
Mistress of Ceremonies: Carolyn R. Davis, Dallas City Councilwoman
It will be a family event featuring Kiddie Bouncer Castle, Raffles held throughout the day paying utility bills up to $250.00 along with $200.00 Grocery Give-A-Ways and Theater Tickets priced at $100.00. Black vendors will be on hand as will African Drum and Dancers. Soul Music or "Music for the Soul" will fill the air. Live Streaming: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nbuf-tv
