NBPP Community March 6/14

[nattyreb]

THE NEW BLACK PANTHER PARTY
NATIONAL MINISTRY OF CULTURE
PO BOX 25332, NEWARK, NJ 07101
201-602-0780


May 30, 2008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SHUT'EM DOWN! NO MORE LIQUOR STORES IN OUR 'HOOD!

MARCH FOR 'THE SOUL OF THE SOUTH WARD'!


On Saturday, June 14th, the New Black Panther Party will rally with legions of Bergen Street area residents to protest the opening of a liquor store and establishment on the corner of Bergen Street and Custer Avenue, right in the heart of Newark's south ward.

The rally will include a march and will be held from 12 noon to 5p.m. at Bergen and Hawthorne.

Months ago, a merchant from outside of the area applied to the city for a permit to open a liquor store and establishment. When he was confronted with wide well-organized opposition from the community, he then applied for a permit to open a check cashing business instead, but once he secured approval for that, he then began to renovate the location for the liquor establishment he originally opted for, outraging the community who had already been to the city's zoning board and city council to properly register their opposition.

Since then, people like Carolyn Kelly-Shabazz, who runs the First Class Championship Center on Bergen Street, have rallied their neighbors like Palm Garden Church of the Living God, Gethesemane Church of God In Christ, the Pentecostal Family Prayer Center, United Muslim Inc. and host of area businesses and residents.

Two weeks ago, our elders fired another shot in community self-defense on this issue. They secured a lawyer and went into court and secured an injunction temporarily halting the process until it can be properly addressed through the proper channels.

Meanwhile, support for the June 14th action has been swelling. Organizations like Morticians That Care, well known for their casket van used at anti street violence actions will be join in as will many other groups.

"We have two schools, a day care center, four churches, a mosque and a whole lot of good people who just don't want that liquor store and all the negativity its going to bring with it in our community," Kelly-Shabazz railed.


Area residents have also already secured the outraged support of city council members Mildred Crump, Donald Payne Jr. and Oscar James II, who joined them at a recent press conference.

"I proudly tip my hat to Sis. Carolyn Kelly-Shabazz and to our elders for how they came together. They have done in exemplary fashion what a community is supposed to do to protect the fabric of their neighborhood, and still, in spite of all that, somebody at City Hall is arrogantly and underhandedly turning their backs on them. It's time to raise hell," Muhammad observed.
For more information about the rally and march, please call 973-318-7013.

For more information about the Party, please call 201-602-0780...