Tuesday, December 04, 2001
Text of Black United Front letter
Dear Friends of Justice:
We send you this letter requesting your cooperation. The level of
racism, discrimination, tyranny and general oppression in every area
of life here in Cincinnati has grown to such a level that only
national and international economic sanctions may get the attention
of the corporate leaders and their political servants. Tim and again
we have gone to our elected and corporate leaders, but our voices and
proposals have been ignored or improperly implemented. THEREFORE, WE
HAVE CALLED FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CINCINNATI
AREA.
Think of the irony of living in the city where the centerpiece of
the National Underground Freedom Railroad network is being built, and
we are struggling through the highest state of Apartheid. Economic
disparity, legal injustice, political and governmental
unaccountability, and lack of adequate and affordable health care and
housing are just some the the challenges we face.
Police are killing, raping, planting false evidence, and along
with the Prosecutor and courts are destroying the general sense of
self-respect for black citizens. Most recently, Officer Road, who
shot and killed unarmed Timothy Thomas last April, was found ""not
guilty'' by a judge...not a jury...on the misdemeanor charges of
negligent homicide and obstruction of justice. Officer Jorg, who, by
a marine-style chokehold, killed unarmed Roger Owensby Jr. last,
November, was found not guilty on the assault charge and a mistrial
was declared on the involuntary manslaughter charge. Officer Caton,
who beat brother Owensby while he was handcuffed, was also found not
guilty of assault. We need you to help oppose these constant
injustices!
IF YOUR ORGANIZATION IS PLANNING AN EVENT IN CINCINNATI, OR IF YOU
ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND AN EVENT HERE, PLEASE CANCEL. Your sacrifice
will be a great contribution toward our ability to negotiate. We also
request that you specifically let our government officials know that
you are canceling a planned trip to Cincinnati. Please send a letter
stating that to: Mayor, City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH
45202. We request you also send us a copy of that letter to:
Cincinnati Black United Front, 1829 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
If you believe cancellation of your event in Cincinnati is not
feasible, we request you contact us with that information also. We
will demonstrate and protest at events held here. However, we do not
want to demonstrate if there are justifiable reasons for the event
not being cancelled.
We know that many people in your city are suffering many forms of
injustices also. However, nearly everyone who can personally compare
Cincinnati racism with other cities, state that Cincinnati is more
racist than any major city they have seen. Many describe the
situation here as ""unbelievable.'' We all must stand to end the
overbearing racism here and then collectively move to the next
target. The Cincinnati Black United Front's study of historical
struggle and advancements reveal that when racists, discriminators,
and their chosen cronies are denied their (our) capital, this
pressures them to be more progressive and inclusive in their
behaviors.
What do we want? The answer is too long to provide details because
different groups of blacks need different relief and opportunities.
Please visit our website at cbuf.org to find a list of demands and
our press statement announcing these sanctions. These tourism
sanctions are just one component of a broad strategy to change the
way business is conducted in Cincinnati. We cannot go back to
""business as usual'' which is what the current Mayor has publicly
stated he wants to do.
As part of our strategy regarding these sanctions, we are
developing a list of supporters. We would like to add your
organization to our list. Please let us know if you will allow us to
include you in our fight against injustice. You can write us at the
above address or call the undersigned at (513) 623-7237.
Mayor boots Rev. Lynch from race commission
Text of Lynch's response
Text of Black United Front letter
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