Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan Will Speak in Oakland Saturday October 4, 2014

OAKLAND, Calif. - Oct. 1, 2014 - PRLog -- Rev. Pinkney will be speaking alongside Claire McClinton and Maureen Taylor; two major leaders in Michigan's fight for democracy and human rights such as water. They have important lessons regarding the fight for housing, health care, and other basic human rights in Silicon Valley.

Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan has been a leader in Michigan fighting for jobs, education, and against racism in the criminal justice system. He has confronted the Emergency Financial Manager in Benton Harbor who stripped the people of their right to self-government, and as a result has been targeted with criminal charges for circulating a petition to recall the Mayor. Rev. Pinkney goes to trial on Oct. 27 and requires support.

The event will reveal the lowdown first-hand on why tragedies are squeezing Michigan workers so hard, and why this is important to the Bay Area. WEAP hosts the free community teach-in which features some of the strongest fighters against Michigan’s move away from democracy and toward corporate dictatorship. The Oct. 4 teach-in, at Laney College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., begins a week-long Bay Area “Michigan Speakers Tour.” Each event will center around issues that steal away social justice. They include the corporate push to privatize things that used to be public, the corporate capture of elected officials, criminalization of the poor, and threats to democracy.

More on the speakers:

Michigan speakers include Reverend Edward Pinkney, who is facing phony voting fraud charges in an attempt to silence him; Maureen Taylor, head of the Michigan Welfare Rights Union; and Claire McClinton of the United Automobile Workers union. They have been on the front lines of the fight to stop corporations from stomping all over the workers they no longer need. They will describe their strategies and help facilitate community round table discussions.

The event at Laney College in Oakland from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014  is open to the public. Each speaking event will include activists from Michigan who will focus on how California is a target for struggles similar to the ones Michigan is facing. Poverty keeps growing in California, even as Silicon Valley generates untold wealth for a fortunate few. People can’t fight for a vision of a better society if they don’t know what they are facing. These events will empower working and poor families with the knowledge to recognize the enemy, explore common themes of oppression, and build upon ideals to guarantee human rights and an end to poverty in the richest country in the world.

The speaking dates and times are:

Sat. Oct. 4th at Laney College Bistro, 900 Fallon St. in Oakland from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Sun. Oct. 5th at Tapestry Ministry in Berkeley, 1798 Scenic Ave., from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Tues. Oct. 7th at Laney College Forum Room, 900 Fallon St. in Oakland, from 12 p.m.- 2 p.m.

Wed. Oct. 8th at Merritt College Huey P. Newton room, 12500 Campus Drive in Oakland from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Thurs. Oct. 9th at Alameda College in Alameda, in the Pitt, 11 - 1 p.m.

Thurs. Oct. 9th at SEIU 1021 in Oakland, 155 Myrtle St. from 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 10th at Berkeley City College from Noon to 2 p.m (Tentative).

Fri. Oct. 10th at SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island St. in San Francisco from 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Media Contact:

Sandy Perry

Email: perrysandy@aol.com