Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

Come Tell How Slavery and Emancipation Should be Remembered. Elegba Folklore Society Richmond, VA 23219 http://ping.fm/V3AuS

Former U.S. Army Col. and now Peace Activist ANN WRIGHT to speak May 5 in Richmond The Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality will host a talk by noted peace activist Ann Wright on Saturday, May 5, 7 pm, at the William Byrd Community House, 224 So. Cherry St., Richmond, Va. Ann Wright is a former U.S. Army colonel who publicly resigned from the military over her opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She has since become an internationally known anti-war activist and speaker. She is the co-author of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience; Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq,” which includes a forward by Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame. Ms. Wright will speak on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the human and economic cost of U.S. wars and occupations on our communities here at home. Her presentation will be preceded by reports on community efforts to support Ashley Williams, a young Richmonder wrongfully convicted in connection with the tragic death o...

DefendersLIVE: Today's topic: the upcoming May Day commemorations with guest was Nathan Stickel of the Flying Brick Library, a 9-year old community library of radical literature. Info about the library and May Day activities can be found at flyingbrickrva.wordpress.com and richmondiww.org. Today's show will be rebroadcast ONLINE at WRIR.org Tuesday at 11am and 2pm.

Today on DefendersLIVE: Remembering Slavery, Resistance & Freedom is a project to gain community input and assistance for discovery and reclamation of sites of cultural and historical of meaning to African descended peoples of Virginia. Dr. Michael L. Blakey, director of the Institute for Historical Biology, College of William & Mary, will elaborate on this project, cemeteries, community engagement and decision-making. WRIR 97.3 LP FM at 12noon.

Dear friends, The fatal February shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has produced a firestorm of protest across the country, including here in Richmond. As a follow-up to organizing the 300-strong March 22 vigil at Richmond's African Burial Ground and supporting the 700-strong March 26 vigil at VCU, the Defenders are honored to host longtime human rights activist Ajamu Baraka, founder of the U.S. Human Rights Network, who will be speaking on the case of Trayvon Martin in the context of the deepening political and social crisis in the United States. (Please see the attached bio.) The presentation will take place at the Defenders' regular monthly meeting: 7-9 pm, Monday, April 2, at the William Byrd Community House, 224 S. Cherry St. (just south of VCU). If you have questions please call 804-644-5834. DO NOT CALL William Byrd, they are the host site, not the organizers of this meeting) We are inviting our friends and allies to join us at this event, especially...

Civil War & Emancipation Day is April 14, 2012 Visit http://civilwar.emancipationday.net/ for schedule. Sacred Ground will have a table at the Lumpkin's Jail site and make a presentation at 1:30. Information about the Remembering Slavery Resistance & Freedom and educational materials will be available, including surveys to gather community input on the Burial Ground memorialization and commemorating Emancipation. Civil War & Emancipation Day is a signature event of The Future of Richmond's Past, a collaborative effort among leaders of Richmond’s historical societies, museums, commissions, cultural and tourism organizations, and educational institutions to frame the upcoming sesquicentennial years in which our city and the nation will commemorate the anniversaries of the Civil War and Emancipation. The Future of Richmond's Past sponsors public programs, special events, and inclusive conversations to advance a better understanding of our City’s shared his...

NOTICE!! Slave Trail Commission Resolution Postponed to April 17 Land Use Committee meeting for discussion and April 30 City Council meeting for vote. 11 am PRESS CONFERENCE to be held at VA NAACP Office on Graham Road behind VUU (off Brook Rd) - called by Va State Conference NAACP, King Salim Khalfani. Speakers to include Mr. Khalfani, Sa'ad El-Amin who has drafted a detailed description of the procedural problems of the Slave Trail Commission, members of the Sacred Ground Project, African Burial Ground Community Organizing Committee, Defenders and Virginia Defender Newspaper. 12 noon today: DefendersLIVE topic: Trayvon Martin and His Murder - LIVE on WRIR.org or 97.3 Lp FM