GAMALIEL FOUNDATION

Connecting the Dots to

Raise Up A Standard Against A Flood of Segregation

Guiding Scriptures

“…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against him."

(Is 59:19).

" So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of

Juneteenth 2006 flows from the recent raging Hurricanes of Katrina and Rita, exposing the flood of segregation, poverty, racism and abject failure of government. In the wake of catastrophic

destruction and deprivation our American government failed our people, and failed poor people, and failed especially, Black people. Government failed to connect the dots between rescue and response __ life and death __civility and chaos.

The sight of starving, thirsty, dead and dying men, women and children, 3-4 days after the roaring hurricane winds ceased, hit most Americans in the very depths of the soul. Yet, it was families, abandoned, ripped apart and sent to places unknown that was all too familiar, of a much darker period in history.

This AALC event seeks to connect the analysis of critical spacial arrangements within metropolitan areas, which maintain islands of privilege for a few, and deludes the majority that they can buffet themselves from perceived threats, and from real moral and social responsibility of the poor.

Law Professor john powell, Ohio State University, Kirwan Institute on Race and Ethnicity, Sr. AALC Advisor, Gamaliel Strategic Partner, and confirmed keynote both days will advance Katrina analysis on the ground after nearly one year. Professor powell has not retreated into ivory towers of discourse, but has agitated Gamaliel to build power with national partners to address the Katrina crisis. powell will connect AALC to organizing Katrina collaboratives , led by himself and Carl Anthony, Ford Foundation (invited).

AALC leaders, organizers and their allies will use AALC principles and structures to demand that government rebuild the Gulf Coast and invest new public dollars to make Katrina survivors whole,

wherever they are, even if they choose not to return to the Gulf Coast. Good jobs, housing, education, structures of power, wealth and prestige must be gateways to opportunities in all communities.

Ultimately, AALC embraces the power of the vote to ensure that democracy works for everyone.

Therefore, AALC/Gamaliel will advance the fight for temporary Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 as a national issue at this year’s Juneteenth event.

The “special provisions”, Section 5, the federal monitor and observer provisions (Sections 6-9) and the bilingual voting provisions of VRA will expire in 2007. These special provisions in the Voting Rights Act need to be temporarily renewed.

 AALC/Gamaliel will demand temporary renewal to ensure states remove any prejudicial redistricting that affects Voters Rights. Through the Federal Government we have the power to mandate equality, if states practice discriminatory redistricting. Permanency, though sounding good, may have the disadvantage of locking out minority voting rights by removing recourse for justice in the case of any discriminatory redistricting by states.

Confirmed Keynote speaker, Pastor Timothy Mc Donald, Iconium Baptist Church Atlanta, GA and People For The American Way will train us, and deepen our connection to VRA collaboratives and needed actions.

Professor powell will advance AALC organizing on Voting Rights Act Reauthorization in strategic places.

Forty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King reached the conclusion that racism was inextricably linked with poverty and militarism. He called for “a radical restructuring of American society. … Our economy must become more people-centered than property and profit –centered. Our government must depend more on  its moral power than on its military power. Let us not therefore think of our movement as one that seeks to integrate the Negro into existing values of American society. Let us be those creative dissenters who willcall our beloved nation to a higher destiny, to a new plateau of compassion to a more noble expression of humaneness”.

AALC seeks to empower Katrina survivor strategy, and marginalized communities drowning on dry land, and to make connections between the Black community, other ethnic groups and working class communities in today’s metropolitan/global economy. It is time for African Americans, their allies and multi-racial coalitions to mobilize, __raise up a standard of power sufficient to propel and compel radical restructuring, against segregation not only for our survival, but for the sake of America.

If not now,

When? If not us, who?

AALC clergy, laity, organizers and their allies will lift up metro equity campaigns of significant impact; dialogue and move to adopt The National Black Agenda which includes the Voting Rights Act

Reauthorization and Katrina Restoration Strategy. AALC progress reports will be presented to Gamaliel structures such as the Council of Presidents, National Leadership Assembly, Gamaliel National Clergy Caucus, Civil Rights of Immigrants etc., during 2006-07.

AALC Juneteenth 2006 Event Begins

Registration Cost : Includes room, meals, training materials & hotel to church ground travel.

Option 1) $ 300.00 Single Room (1 Night June 15 )

$ 200.00 Double Occupancy ( 1 Night)

$ 400.00 Single Room ( 2 nights)

$ 300.00 Double Occupancy ( 2 Nights)