This is Black Agenda Radio, a weekly hour of African American political thought and action.  Coming up: People that are sent to prison are supposed to be given back their freedom when they’ve served their time. But that doesn’t seem to apply to Black political prisoners, many of whom are now elderly and sick 

 

the Black Is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations held a two-day school on electoral politics, earlier this month, in St. Petersburg, Florida. One of those on hand was Charles Barron, a former member of the Black Panther Party, who was elected to the New York City Council, and then to the state legislature. Assemblyman Barron says there’s no contradiction between his Black Panther politics and running for office.

Kamm Howard also spoke to the Coalition’s electoral politics school.

Howard is part of the leadership of NCOBRA, the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, as well as a member of the Black Is Back Coalition’s executive board. Last year, Black is Back approved a 19-point National Black Political Agenda for Self-Determination. At the St. Petersburg school, Kamm Howard argued that skillful use of voter initiatives and referendums is a good way to push for reparations and Black community control the police and other issues on the agenda for Black self-determination. It also could be useful in challenging the legitimacy of the sell-outs of the Black Misleadership Class.

Prison abolitionists from across the country are gearing up for a Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March, in Washington, on August 19 th . But, for right now, Anne Lamb, co-chair of the Jericho Movement in New York City, is focused on freeing political prisoner Jalil Muntaqim. He’s the former Black Liberation Army member, once known as Anthony Bottoms, now serving his 46 th year behind bars. Ann Lamb spoke with Black Agenda Radio producer Kyle Fraser. She said the State wants Muntaqim to die in prison.

And that it’s for this edition of Black Agenda Radio. Be sure to visit us at BlackAgendaReport.com, where you’ll find a new and provocative issue, each Wednesday. That’s www.BlackAgendaReport.com. It’s the place for news, commentary and analysis, from the Black Left.