(BALTIMORE, MD, 6/16/21) – On Saturday, June 19, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, will join other community and civil rights organizations at a protest and march to mark Juneteenth and to address the desecration of an African-American burial ground and continuing environmental pollution in Black communities.
WHEN: June 19, Noon to 4 p.m.
MEET UP: Macedonia Baptist Church, 5119 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
MARCH TO: 5204 River Road (1 block)
CONTACT: CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com
“Montgomery County is building a monument to white supremacy in Bethesda over the graves of our tortured ancestors. Even the KKK would not have desecrated African graves in daylight but Montgomery County and its officials sided with developers over the community. What has been destroyed is irretrievable and their hate crime is unforgivable.” Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, President, Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition
“The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) calls for justice in the desecration of Moses Macedonia African Cemetery. It’s shameful that Montgomery County officials are siding with developers in this racist and despicable act of disrespecting our ancestors. We will remember the desecration when it comes time to vote.” Baba Mosi Matsimela, President, Woodsen-Banneker, Jackson Bey – UNIA, ACL Division 330 – RC2020
ARTISTS:
Hip Hop Artist – TONE P
Evergreen Productions,
Nana Malaya Rucker, Ayomi
Dr. Karen Wilson Ama’Echefu,
Andrea Hines, B.E. Farrow,
African Drummers and Dancers
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC)
Carroll R. Gibbs, Historian
Baba Mosi Matsimela, President, Woodson-Bannekar, Jackson Baye, Div. 33 – UNIA-ACL RC2020
Rev Segun Adebayo, Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, BACC
Mr. Harvey Matthews, Descendant, River Road Community
Senghor Jawara Baye, 1st Assistant President-General Government of the UNIA-ACL RC2020
Arthur McCloud, Chair, WPFW, Local Station Board
Melody Cooper, Mother of Kwamena Ocran, killed by Gaithersburg Police
Lennox Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus
Dr. Jack Rasmussen, Director, The American University Museum, Katzen Arts Center
Dr. Zainab Chaudry, Director, CAIR Maryland Office
Josh Odintz, JD, Holland and Knight Law Firm
Dr. Mustafa Ali, V.P. National Wildlife Federation
Jeffrey Slavin, Mayor, Town of Somerset
Brandy Brooks, Candidate, Montgomery County Council – At Large
Perry Paylor, Candidate, State’s Attorney
Bernice Mireku North, Candidate, State’s Attorney
Gaithersburg City Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, Candidate for Montgomery County Council At-Large
Ralph Wooden, BACC
Martha Peterson, BACC
Avery Smedley, MoCo Steps
David Mott, Poor People’s Campaign, Montgomery County
Howie Hawkins, 2020 Presidential Candidate, Green Party
Vanessa Till, BACC
Ari Gutman, BACC
Hanna Schwadron, Structures for Change
Dr. Dante O’Hara, Claudia Jones School, CP
Robert Stubberfield, BACC, DSA
Adam Simon, BACC, Anti-rrcist Coalition
Mia Carmel, BACC, Anti-Racist Coalition
AVERY SMEDLEY, MoCo STEPS
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Woodson-Bannekar, Jackson Baye, Div. 33 – UNIA-ACL RC2020
Maryland Green Party
Bethesda Anti-Racist Coalition
Hip Hop Caucus
United Negro Improvement Association – National
WPFW – 89.3 fm
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Poor People’s Campaign, Montgomery County
Claudia Jones School
Cameroun American Council
National Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression
Standing Up for Racial Justice
Earlier this month, CAIR welcomed news that Anne Arundel County has officially recognized Juneteenth as a county holiday for the first time.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Maryland County’s Historic Recognition of Juneteenth as Official Holiday
Yesterday, the National and Houston (CAIR-Houston) offices of CAIR hosted the first of two programs in honor of Juneteenth.
SEE: CAIR, CAIR-Houston Mark Juneteenth with Online Educational Program
https://www.facebook.com/42590232694/videos/346378063498997
In Virginia, CAIR has offered support for a demand to stay all development activity on African-American and Native American cemeteries and surrounding areas in the town of Thoroughfare, Va.
Video: CAIR Supports Protection for Historic Va. African-American, Native American Cemeteries
BACKGROUNDER:
Juneteenth – also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day – is observed on June 19th annually. It marks the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation outlawed slavery. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now commemorated annually throughout the United States with increasing official recognition. While it is ceremonial rather than a national holiday, more localities are moving to add it to their calendar of official holidays.
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com