Although Black August has come to an end, Black Lives Matter Philly is committed to carrying on the spirit and work of our ancestors, whose tireless struggles for liberation and justice for all Black people we honor during the month of August. As we uplift the important moments of global Black resistance that have transpired in August from the start of the Haitian revolution to the Ferguson uprisings, let us not forget that the observance of Black August began in California prisons in the 1970s after the assassination of political prisoner and revolutionary, George Jackson.
Black August is a time to remember our fallen political prisoners whose leadership and sacrifices have paved the way for the work of Black Lives Matter and our collective fight for freedom. It is also a time to give flowers to our movement elders and political prisoners who are still living, teaching, leading, and fighting for us. BLM Philly acknowledges and holds dear the members of the MOVE Organization and all political prisoners in the state of Pennsylvania, whose struggles and immense sacrifices have directly impacted our local communities.
The Brick by Brick Freedom Fund was established by BLM Philly in partnership with Abolitionist Law Center and the Philadelphia chapter of the Jericho Movement to provide life-sustaining financial support to current and former political prisoners and legal defense for those who are currently being targeted by the state for political resistance. Your donation to this fund will directly benefit elders who have struggled for liberation for decades as they rebuild their lives after and during incarceration and people currently fighting cases related to the 2020 uprisings for racial justice.
This fund was established in honor of members of the MOVE Organization and beloved political prisoners such as Mumia Abu Jamal and Russell Maroon Shoatz, whose struggles and immense sacrifices have directly impacted our local communities. Our current fundraising goal of $520,000 will provide direct support for housing, medical care, and daily needs to former political prisoners, including surviving members of the MOVE 9, commissary deposits for the daily needs of current political prisoners, and legal support for current political prisoners and those being targeted by the state.
At BLM Philly, we believe “It is our duty to fight for our freedom.” This means supporting the efforts of our freedom fighters who’ve been unjustly persecuted by the state. Through this fund, we give flowers to our movement elders and political prisoners who have paved the way for the work of Black Lives Matter and our collective fight for freedom, and are still living, teaching, leading, and fighting for us
Join us in our effort to support political prisoners in the state of Pennsylvania, who have sacrificed their freedom for the cause of justice. They have committed their lives to the struggle, and it is now our turn to support them in securing and sustaining their freedom.
Brick by Brick, Wall by Wall
We’re gonna Free Mumia Abu Jamal
We’re gonna Free Russell Maroon Shoatz
We’re gonna Free Joseph “Joe Joe” Bowen
We’re gonna Free Dawud Lee
We’re gonna Free Arthur Cetawayo Johnson
We’re gonna Free Kerry Shakaboona Marshall
We’re gonna Free Safir Chuma Asafo
We’re gonna Free Fred “Muhammad” Burton
We’re gonna Free Bryant Arroyo
We’re gonna Free Dennis Solo McKeithen