Some of you know that I have been participating in a class this year that uses poetry, hip hop and spoken word to create critical literacy. This semester we have been working with high school students that are locked up on Rikers Island. This Friday, we are scheduled to have a release party for the anthology of student writing and lesson plans from the last four years of Lyrics on Lockdown. We originally planned to just perform poetry but with Sean Bell's murderers acquitted on all counts, we feel that we need to address this and use Friday as an opportunity to organize. Folks have been throwing out a lot of ideas and if anyone knows about other folks organizing a response please let me know and I will post it here and pass the word along.
So far, I have heard that Reverend Al Sharpton is organizing a march, Kevin Powell is organizing folks in Brooklyn. Also, this event sounds pretty dope and I will definitely be there whether I perform or not:
WE WANT 50 ARTISTS FOR 50 SHOTS - A CALL OUT TO ALL POETS, MCS, DANCERS, PAINTERS & MUSICIANS TO RESPOND TO THE OUTCOME OF THE SEAN BELL VERDICT.
***please forward this far and wide***
When: Saturday May 3rd, 2008
Time: 7 PM sharp - 10 PM
Where: The Brecht Forum
451 West Street (near West Side Highway)
*This will be a Free Event and All Performances are Voluntary. First come bases, once we have all 50 Artists the list will end.
***If you are interested please submit your name, contact info and a brief description of the work you would like to perform to mahinamovement@yahoo.com or call Gabreilla Calleder: 917-325-1699
That's all I have for now, I will post more information as it becomes available.
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