EXTENDED BLACK FAMILY MOVEMENT(Harlem Parade)‏

[Shombay]

EXTENDED BLACK FAMILY MOVEMENT
AFRIKAN ALERT!!
Sept. 29 2008
Paterson/Passaic
Immediate Release

On Sept. 21 2008, members of the Extended Black Family Movement traveled to Harlem to participate in the 39th Annual African American Day Parade. They were to march in the parade
with members of the Zulu Nation, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Jericho Movement, Original Black Panther Party, Nation of Gods and Earths, United Front, as well as the New Black Panther Party. This coalition marched in solidarity to collectively honor our political prisoners. They respectively dubbed themselves the "Freedom Fighters Contingent". Their march started off well, beginning at 112th street traveling up Adam Clayton Blvd. toward the end point which was to be 142nd street. Along the route the marchers shouted call and response of "Black Power", Black Love", and other positive affirmations."Black is Beautiful", "Respect Yourself", "Love Yourself", were all shouted by thr marchers and echoed back by the paraders. They were obviously out there to send a message that Black Power was still alive in the Black Community. Twenty blocks into the Thirty block march the new york city police department did exactly what they are trained to do in the Black Community,attack!!. The police have desinated areas during a parade which is located near the sidewalks, this is for the obvious reasons, floats, marching bands, dance groups,cars, etc. need to occupy most of the street. On around 132nd street the police choose to stand in the middle of the street only when the "Freedom Fighter" were marching.

The conclusion was reached that it was a deliberate act of disrespect because the fire department had been in front of the "Freedom Fighters" and we're sure they wasnt in the middle of the street while big fire trucks were passing by. Also there was a huge police presence on that particular corner unlike any other corner of the whole parade. It was said that when the "FreedoFighters" arrived on that corner a member of the contingent asked the police to excuse his self from that position because marches were comming through. The police flat out told the brother, "no, I'm not movin". The brother then turned his back on the police allowing the upcomming sisters/marchers to pass through. Then it happened!, unannounced and unprovocated, the police pushed the brother right into the sister. The brother then turned around and with the bravery of a True Black Man, pushed the police back. After that, all hell broke loose, with the devil himself as the instigator. The "Freedom Fighters" defended themselves valiantly, police came from every direction, FF were outnumbered 10 to 1. Still, no one ran in fear.

The Panthers fought the police off like the strong soldiers they are. EBFM held their ground and didnt back down. Others protected the babies and young children that were with the contingent. Oh, it was not previously mentioned that the nypd committed this cowardly act of aggression against the "Freedom Fighters" that consisted of the mentioned organizations but also children, women, elders and one sister was even pusing a baby in a baby carriage! Shombay Bandele, chairman of the EBFM, stated,"The brute-york city ho-lice department and ho-lice departments across this country have a long history of harrasing, terrorizing, brutalizing, and murdering Afrikan people, whether they be men, women, children, the elderly or our babies". Shombay later said, "why would the police stand in the way of a parade group and refuse to move out of the way, unless they had planned intentions for an altercation and confrontation". Ato Bakari, of the New Black Panther Party said "This was definetly a planned ambush". When it was over the Afrikan Liberation Flag that had been captured by the police from a fallen Freedom Fighter had been taken back by a member of the Extended Black Family Movement. Five strong, brave members of the New Black Panther Party had been captured, and injuries were sustained by both sides. The community was outraged by what occured, some fought along with the Freedom Fighters, others expressed their anger verbally. Shaka Shakur, Chairman of the NY NBPP, ordered everyone to regroup and march to the police precinct to demand the safety of his captured soldiers. Shombay said "I definetly respect Shakas' leadership experience, I look to him for guidance myself".
As of the time of this writing all five panthers have posted bail, largely from community donations. They all have cout dates pending for the next four months.
When the call is given lets pack the court room in support of these strong brothers who fought defending our honor and our dignity!

EBFM