Michigan Pastor Who Fights for the Poor ... Arrested

[Jahness]

Michigan Pastor Who Fights for the Poor ... Arrested

by Sandra Reid

As we go to press, the People's Tribune interviewed Rev. Edward Pinckney, pastor of Bethel Christian Restoration Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, about his arrest on Monday, April 18, for three counts of alleged "vote fraud." Here is what Rev. Pinckney told us about what is going on in his community:

"The community organized a recall of a city commissioner who is backed by the Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool is the largest employer in the area. It literally runs Benton Harbor, the surrounding communities, and the people. They are trying to take over Benton Harbor completely. They are getting ready to build an exclusive golf course in the area so they have to keep their people in office. They are also building $300,000 to $400,000 homes in this area by the lake. They plan to knock down the senior citizens building and build additional exclusive homes. That's what this is about. They were sure their man was going to win the election. But it didn't turn out that way because of the recall. So they decided it was fraud.

"The prosecutor told them how to get a vote fraud investigation going. They told them to get someone to say that Rev. Pinckney paid them $5 to vote. So they paid someone $10 to say they were paid $5. But that person decided not to go along with it and wrote an affidavit saying it was not true. Then, the sheriff seized the city clerk's office in Benton Harbor. They took all her files, went through all of the desks, and locked everyone out for 37 days. Then they knocked on people's doors at 3 o'clock in the morning, trying to scare people. We thought the judge would reverse the election, but he said it was null and void because fraud was involved. They got young girls to say that I got them to fill out an absentee ballot by saying it was a job application. This effort, run by a group called Corner Stone Alliance, is Whirlpool in disguise. They think we are going to take this lying down. But, we are trying to put together an appeal."

Legal funds are urgently needed to help with Rev. Pinckney's defense. Rev. Pinckney faces four felony charges and one misdemeanor, and a possible sentence of over 20 years in prison. Legal costs could run from $25,000 to $35,000. It is in everyone's interest to defend this community. There will be a rally on May 21 in Benton Harbor. For more information call 269-925-0001. Make donations payable to BANCO, and send to 1940 Union Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

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Is Benton Harbor America's future?
from the Editors

Benton Harbor, Michigan, could become America's future if we don't act. A once thriving city, it has an unemployment rate of 70 percent. Benton Harbor, with a population of 12,000, is 92 percent black, and is separated by a river from St. Joseph, a city that is 90 percent white with an unemployment rate of 2 percent. More people are in jail per capita in Benton Harbor than anywhere in the world, and they are mainly youth. Benton Harbor is like so many cities throughout America that are being economically devastated as labor replacing technology eliminates jobs. Communities of every color and nationality struggle for their survival but are met with blatant corruption and outright violence by a state that cares only about corporate interests. No matter what color we are, how do we survive if there are no jobs? No one is safe from the spreading poverty and repression in our country.

We can build a new America. Today, the same technology that is eliminating jobs is creating a world of plenty. It is possible now to create a world where people cooperate and take care of one another, where all that we need to survive and thrive is distributed according to need. Our first step toward achieving a decent life is to recognize our common interests and begin to fight as a class. We urge our readers to take the Benton Harbor struggle into your community and bring your community into Benton Harbor. In this way, we can begin to build a broader consciousness of what is at stake in America: either destitution for the majority of us, or a whole new world. The choice is ours.

Speakers for a New America is helping to organize a national speaking tour for Rev. Pinckney. Call 800-691-6888 or email speakers@lrna.org. Go to our Speakers web page for more information.

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This article originated in the People's Tribune (Online Edition), Vol. 32 No. 5 / May, 2005; P.O. Box 3524, Chicago, IL 60654, http://www.lrna.org. Feel free to reproduce unless marked as copyrighted; please include this message with reproductions of the article.

[Jahness]

Greetings Everyone!




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[OsunkoyaIfayomi]

Good post I am going to share it with my group. I just don't like the part about a new america but that's me Love Ifayekunu

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by Kwaku Omobamidele

Good post I am going to share it with my group. I just don't like the part about a new america but that's me Love Ifayekunu

Greetings Kwaku Omobamidele!

Thank you for checking out the post. We both know that new
ameriKKKa is not going to work. But it gives them hope I guess.


Peace!