A Standing Rock Indian Reservation

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Now I am not exactly sure what the Standing Rock protest is all about that has been in the news a lot lately, though before the United States Presidential Election 2016 results turned America upside down, as if it weren’t already turned upside down, Standing Rock was just about the only thing, besides Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street and other topics, that seemed to appear on that Facebook news feed everywhere that I find myself looking at every so often in my internetaholicness. And according to Wikipedia, Standing Rock Indian Reservation is a Hunkpapa Lakota and Yanktonai Dakota Indian reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota in the United States. And also according to Facebook, Standing Rock is the latest cause to stand for, the latest cause that has resulted in seemingly endless protests, rallies, standoffs and Facebook event invites for even more protesta, rallies, standoffs and Facebook event invites that has gained support from seemingly across the nation with the hashtags #NoDAPL and #StandwithStandingRock and a #NODAPL National Day Of Action 11.15.16. And I think this #NoDAPL has something to do with No Dakota Access Pipeline, which I guess has something to do with the blood for oil industry and fracking or drilling or running a gas line or some kind of pipeline through everywhere the blood for oil industry can find, and I guess in this case, in the middle of or near an Indian reservation. And though I am no rocket scientist on this topic, those pictures that find themselves posted above from Rob Wilson Photography and Stand Step Up Speak out Loud in Prayer for Standing Rock of what looks like a police state in the middle of the desert from 1492 when America was supposedly discovered, speak for themselves. And according to that American Indian Prophecy, Legend of the Rainbow Warriors and Hopi and Sioux Prophecy:

“When the earth is dying there shall arise a new tribe of all colours and all creeds. This tribe shall be called The Warriors of the Rainbow and it will put its faith in actions not words.”

“There will come a time when the earth is sick and the animals and plants begin to die. Then the Indians will regain their spirit and gather people of all nations, colors and beliefs to join together in the fight to save the Earth: The Rainbow Warriors.”

Water is sacred. Water is life. No blood for oil. And what does this have to do with a No Police State.

Uncategorized

I Am No Queen

#babylon

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I am no Queen
I sit a widow and shall see sorrow
I kannot walk any further
my journey may end here
there are no words to take away the pain
to replace a person who is gone
my eyes are dim and heavy with grief
I kannot close them
I do not wish to see the darkness they hold
this thing which I have greatly feared
has come upon me with trembling
kausing all my bones to shake
I am scared with dreams and terrified
with visions of what will my funeral be like
when I die today at this very moment
will there be a funeral
who will come and who will pay
will they eulogize me and what will they say
leave me to sit and decay
make me your centerpiece in a chair dressed up dead
preserve me with spices, mummify me
let the birds of the air pluck me
the beast of the field tear me
till I be consumed by maggots and
dust and fly away when I die
there hath been no greater love than
that which hath been
it is the sound of Rachael mourning for
the children that never were
no one to comfort her
no where to wail lament save the ocean
why died they not from the womb
why died they not the breast prevent them from suck
why died they not the knees prevent them
why died they not give up the ghost that
no light shine upon this day
cursed be the man that saith the child is born this day
it is the wake of a funeral procession about to begin
it was a sunny day that day across the street from the graveyard
and we all laid down in our coffins to die

Have a great life, death and poetry day.

Uncategorized

A March To Close Rikers Island

And so there was a CLOSErikers March, Rally & Vigil yesterday in that neighborhood of Queens, New York. And this march to close Rikers Island day seemed to belong to the students and JustLeadershipUSA. And there have been other marches to shut down Rikers Island, that slave plantation, concentration camp torture chamber of a prison named after a slave catcher and bounty hunter that has been compared to Abu Ghraib prison. And even those these marches have come to pass, as far as I know, Rikers Island is still open for business. And so that CLOSErikers March, Rally & Vigil Facebook event for this event read something like:

For decades, the notorious Rikers Island Jail Complex has been marked by violence and corruption and impervious to substantive reform. The#CLOSErikers campaign was formed in 2016 to break the political gridlock and achieve real solutions that are guided by directly impacted communities.

Led by JustLeadershipUSA, in partnership with the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice, the #CLOSErikers campaign includes 90 diverse organizations across New York City that have joined the call for Mayor Bill de Blasio to close Rikers. The campaign to #CLOSErikers is calling for New Yorkers to boldly reimagine the city’s failed criminal justice system and become a national leader in ending mass incarceration.

Join us in sending Mayor de Blasio the message that the City is united.

On September 24th at 1:00pm we will be meeting at 30th Ave. & Steinway St. and marching to the Rikers Island bridge. We will then hold a rally and vigil at 19th Avenue and Hazen at 4:00pm. Do not miss this historic event!

For more information, or to get involved, please contact:

Erin George:
408-691-7372 // erin@justleadershipusa.org

And what, if anything, does this have to do with a No Police State. Shut Down Rikers. #shutdownrikersisland

art, black lives matter, Uncategorized

Your Thoughts On Black Lives Matter

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And even in the midst of when that Google page rank update still wants to send me in search of a fifth full time job for when that get rich internet quick does not get rich internet quick, and it seems as if the world around me could be going to hell in a hand basket, I still find myself blaghing on this blagh and my other blog in an attempt to maintain web 2.0 social media user generated content whenever blaghers block possible.
And on this day finds itself as Occupy Wall Street Day one thousand and something, I think. And Occupy Wall Street and that all things police brutality and beyond movements Black Lives Matter are still moving fast. And so that Black Lives Matter Art Show at Chashama has come to pass that I blogged about a few weeks ago on my other blog. And so I thought to post some of those “Your Thoughts On Black Lives Matter” comments that were written on those banners to be found at that Chashama space, for when the prevailing thought seems to be All Lives Matter, followed by the color of ones skin with a few quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King thrown in as follows:

1. My Life Matters
2. Listen, do you want to know a secret? All Lives Matter. Stop the hate.
3. (in response to #2), yet this totally disarms #blacklivesmatter and continues the hate. Ironic.
4. Let’s be clear. Black llives have always mattered. What the Black Lives Matter is saying is that black lives in the judicial system are not being recognized as life lost. Legally we stopped being property less than 200 years ago. So since we are free black & magical – are we less protected by law because we are no longer property. Black Lives Matter is all you ever need to know. #______ my life matters.
5. If we don’t get justice they wont get no peace.
6. Love your blackness.
7. I love black people
8. We are one. No one is different. All the same. Same love.
9. Fight the good fight.
10. Keep fighting. Keep loving. Freedom is the soul of equality. Do not rest until we are all equal.
11. The people united will never be defeated.
12. You are my brother. You are my sister.
13. Jesus Loves Black Lives.
14. Focus on the progress. Not hate. Otherwise they win.
15. It’s so sad that even in 2016 we are still living in a white supremacist capitalist colonial patriarchy where people of color are routinely silenced and murdered.
16. A white male police officer told Karyn Gains “I can’t believe you’re raising your kids this way”, meaning raising them to defend themselves and resist police violence. 5 months later, she was murdered in her home and her son was shot by police. When will we stop blaming people of color for their own victimization under white supremacy.
17. We are a billion cells of pure knowing.
18. Black Lives Matter
19. All Lives Matter (in response to #18).
20. Together we can
21. Jesus
22. No God. No Peace. Know God. Know Peace.
23. There’s history, power & strength of my skin color. Always love your black in all ways.
24. Step the fuck up white people.
25. My life does matter and my skin is beautiful and important.
26. My skin color is beautiful.
27. Black is beautiful.
28. Silence is not an option, but listening is just as important.
29. Race is a social constraint that we reaffirm everyday. It is in out power to change the status quo. Love is love is love.
30. The color of my skin does ot make me inferior. It makes me beautiful.
31. We all feel and feelings have no color.
32. The skin i’m in is beautiful, bold, black.
33. All people of color should be treated fairly.
34. Color is just a refraction of lights, length received by our eyes, what should count is what’s in our souls.
35. Black Love Matter
36. Every place where you set your foot will be yours. – Deut 11:24
37. A 5 year old child understands this you would think all adults would.
38. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
39. The character of a man is now where he stands in times of peace, but where he stands in times of strife & turmoil. Where do you stand?
40. Under skin we all bleed red.
41. Jesus is love. Dwell on this notion!
42. Skittles + hoodie = armed + dangerous. R.I.P Trayvon
43. Inequality is a historical & social product of society, classified by color. It is out moral obligation to keep fighting until we truly reach equality & justice. A revolution has to happen now. Keep fighting.
44. We are people. We have families. We exist.
45. Let’s keep the fight against injustice.
46. our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. MLK Jr.
47. Be kind to yourself, and others! racism.
48. Just like black is the combination of all colors of the spectrum. So are black lives. So when we say black lives matter we are saying black trans, black gay, black women, black children, black men, my black is all of that.
49. “March through the streets”. I’m willing and I’m able. Categorize me and I defy every label. #blackgirlmagic, #carefreeblackgirl, #blacklivesmatter
50. Fight the power! Transform the people for revolution.
51. #Hands Up Don’t Shoot!
52. Let us remember that Dr. King was hated by the government. Be flexible.
53. ONE LOVE
54. Change!
55. Justice
56. It’s not about the color, its the character.
57. 1 world, 1 race, 1 life, 1 death, 1 eternity.
58. 500 years later and we’re still trying to make this point?! We need to come together and heal now. Educate about the true history. Share stories. Work for change.
59. All lives can’t matter until black lives matter.
60. Petty crimes = death penalty.
61. Stop racist police.
62. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere”. – MLK Jr. #blacklivesmatter
63. #Latinx4blm
64. We all belong
65. (In response to #1) All lives can’t matter until black lives matter
66. The voices of the oppressed matter most. If you are white you don’t have the authority to speak over black people regarding black issues.
67. Another white anti – racist for black lives matter
68. #peace
69. (In response to #1) true but right now we are talking about black lives
70. We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. – Letter from Birmingham. MLK JR.
71. Today it might be me, tomorrow it might be you! Think about it.
73. CHANGE!
74. The struggle continues
75. Once upon a time there was my grandfather. Today he is alive in my heart. An african descent slave
76. Look at me, not my skin color
77. F*ck cops
78. Love always
79. In a country run by bigotry + racism the black lives matter movement has succeeded in bringing the people of color together to educate those who wish to be enlightened and to promote the love between all people of color we must all love one another.
80. Read your history. 3/5 of a human being. U.S. Constitution!
81. It’s the content of your character, not the color of your skin. God bless my brothers & sisters of color. I stand with you.
82. Out of many we are one.
83. You are my brother you are my sister. God intended us to treat each other as such.
84. There’s no color between people. We all human
85. I can’t breathe. BLACK LIVES MATTER

And I am not sure if there are any other words to say about this art show except to say thank you Chashama for giving me that opportunity to take the artwork out the closet to say #blacklivesmatter, Black Lives Matter. And what, if anything, does this have to do with a No Police State. Occupy Art. Occupy Wall Street Worldwide.

Uncategorized

A 2016 Tompkins Square Riot Reunion Concert

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–The place was martiallawville two thousand and one
and everywhere I looked I saw people with guns
standing on the corner in uniforms
full of torture devices for if you stray from the norm
they’ll stop you over here and they’ll stop you over there
they’ll stop you anywhere and they won’t even care
as they shake you down and throw you on the ground
put their foot on you and then kick you around
they’ll punch you and they’ll beat you till you’re almost dead
I couldn’t take it no more and so I said
No Police State. yeah, that’s right, no policy state.
I screamed No Police State. No Police State.

And so, I left the street and then I went to the store
but as I walked through the metal detector
I could not get through because this man at the door
in a uniform called security
with a criminal record worser than you and me
he took my bags and my belongings too
and he said the words we are surveiling you
with plain clothes spies and close circuit cameras
inspection devices and ten way mirrors
and so I started shopping from aisle to aisle
but I could hear them all the while
they murmured, they whispered and then they said
come with us your time is at hand
to be mocked, scourged, tried, tempted and afflicted
and crucified and persecuted in this wilderness
I said to them deliver me I did not do a thing
they said I did and that was it and so I screamed
No Police State. yeah, that’s right, no policy state
I screamed No Police State. No Police State.

And so, I went home and I felt secure
until the evil knocked at my door
it was a legion of men it was an army
and they called themselves the authority
who were concerned for my safety
so they said to me can we see some ID
to use against you as you will see
our king he owns the land and he even owns you
so this is what we’re gonna do
they trashed my place, they tore it upside down
they took everything and then they threw it around
then they wanted to put me under their care
cause it looked like I could not take care of my affairs
so I took no further thought for what I was gonna say
cause they were gonna search and seize me anyway
and so I screamed, No Police State yeah that’s right, no policy state
I screamed No Police State. No Police State.

And so I found myself attempting to sing part of that above No Police State Song at another one of Chris Flash’s The Shadow and Iconicide’s 2016 Tompkins Square Riot Reunion concert in Tompkins Square Park the other day, which was actually about a week ago, as it was that concert time of year again. And it was mostly a punk rock concert with a few other speakers like Paul DeRienzo, Jerry Trudell, Warcry Priya and Father Patrick Moloney thrown in. And I vended those DecorForU #blacklivesmatter, #occupywallstreet, #berniesanders and #theshadow necklaces, magnets and key chains for $1 each alongside those The Shadow t shirts and other merchandise as well. And the Facebook event invite for that 2016 Tompkins Square Riot Reunion concert read something like:

TWENTY EIGHT YEARS AGO

The environment in NYC, and especially AlphaBet City and surrounding areas, was drastically different. The city had made it clear, its underclasses were to be disowned. Tent Cities had sprung up in local parks. Warehoused and abandoned buildings were siezed and turned into squats by neighborhood residents who had had enough with the empty myth of Upward Mobility and Trickledown Economics. People carved out livings for themselves, however spartan, to a degree and scope that today would be seen as unfathomable.

It was “necessary,” then, for the city to at once save face, and to punish such outright acts of autonomy. And so, after a “mini riot” staged by the NYPD in order to gauge public opinion, the full force of the Men in Blue was let loose on denizens of Tompkins Square Park, who had commited the unforgivable crime of having nowhere else to go, and, by default, on every human being found out past an arbitrary midnight curfew.

The tidal wave of subsequent complaints against the 9th Precinct, who had conscripted personnel from other precincts throughout the city, pale in comparison the the actual bloodshed of that long, hot night. Police on foot, on horseback, and in helicopters descended on the homeless, on visitors to the area, and on those who had just stepped out for some fresh air, Batons were swung, bones were broken, and many were bloodied by individuals who feared no reprisals for their actions, because their badges and identification had been blacked out. Imagine a sea of faceless blue berserkers, issued a simple order to use whatever force deemed necessary to cleanse the late night city streets, and you will only come close to the reality.

The Tompkins Square Park Police Riots were but one in a series of falling dominoes in a process of econimic and cultural whitewashing, which continues, in earnest, to this day. The shortsighted will say, what else is new; neighborhoods always change. But this change is far from organic. When an invading “culture” displaces the life’s blood of a formerly vibrant, inclusive and diverse community, it is nothing short of an act of War.

COME ON DOWN to Tompkins Square Park on August 6th and 7th, and shake hands with the ghosts of those who bled on these streets, and with those who STILL will not be moved.

PERFORMANCES BY

August 6: Saturday (2:00-7:00pm)
> Simon Chardet
> The Coffin Daggers:
> ISM
> Iconicide
> Nihilistics

August 7: Sunday (1:00-6:00pm)
> Jennifer Blowdryer Punk Soul
> Rockaway Bitch
> Love Pirates
> Sewage
> Hammerbrain

Brought to you by The SHADOW, Chris Iconicide, the undying spirit of Uncle Don Yippie and…. THOSE FUCKING ANARCHISTS!!

Information Is Strength. Knowledge Is Power. Housing Is A Human Right. Free The Land. Squat The World. And what, if anything does this have to do with a No Police State.

Uncategorized

A Go Africa Harlem Street Festival

Hey again bloggers, or whoever could be reading this blog. Okay, so in the age of social media web 2.0 user generated content, I have all of these photos sitting here from a few weeks ago or so, that just seem like they want to be shared on the internet somewhere, hence this blog post, again, in an attempt to maintain content for this blog and my other blagh whenever bloggers block possible.

And so there was a Go Harlem Street Festival 2016 the other day in that city of New York where I attempted to vend those DecorForU ‪#‎berniesanders‬, ‪#‎blacklivesmater‬,‪#‎occupywallstreet‬, ‪#‎brooklyn‬, ‪#‎harlem‬ and ‪#‎yoga‬ necklaces, magnets and key chains for $1 each as one of those vendors at this Harlem Street Festival. And it seems like I may have spent more time attempting to take photos of Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Bourough President, and Charles Rangel, a member of Congress, who were speaking at this festival, as in some of those photos that find themselves posted above, then attempting to vend that jewelry. And according to that Go Africa Network Facebook page post that reads something like:

“We would like to thank Gale Brewer, Michael Blake, Senator Adriano Espaillat, Charles Rangel, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, Carl E. Heastie, Healthfirst, D.j. Henri,African diaspora parade1, NY African Restaurant Week, Foundation for a Drug Free World, IDNYC, Carver Federal Savings Bank, CUNY Citizenship Now, MoneyGram Africa and American Red Cross for their participation and support of the Go Africa Harlem 2016 street festival on 7/16/2016. We are looking forward to the next street festival on 7/15/2017. visitwww.GoAfricaHarlem.org for more information.”

And according to that Go Africa Network 2016 website page, they were proud to announce a lot of people, politicians, musicians, vendors and beyond and more to this event, as their description of this Harlem Street Festival read as follows:

Street festival aims to support black-owned businesses in Harlem and New York City in general

New York, NY — The second annual Go Africa Harlem Street Festival will be held Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 116th Street within the boundaries of Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglass boulevards in Harlem.

The festival will include live music and dance, African food and beverages, African-American food and beverages, clothing and apparel, health and wellness services, financial services such as banking and insurance, city agency services in areas such as immigration, housing and social services, taste tests and giveaways.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, a sponsor and supporter of the festival, will serve as the grand marshal for the event.

Shaun King, senior justice writer for the New York Daily News and a prominent civil rights activist known for his use of social media to shed light on social causes, will serve as Co-cost for the event with Charlene (“Charlie”) Cooper from WFXR, Fox News

Some of the restaurants that will be participating in New York African Restaurant Week (NYARW) 2016, will be in attendance. A Taste of Africa, a community-based organization dedicated to promoting the best of African cuisine and culture that organizes the annual NYARW, is among the supporters of the event.

Other sponsors and supporters include the Consulate General of Senegal in New York; Association Nationale des Senegalais d’Amérique; Manhattan Community Board 10 and the Honorable Professor Michael John Downie, chairman of the CB10’s Arts and Culture Committee; the Delegate General of Côte d’Ivoire; the Permanent Mission of Guinea to the United Nations; New York State Assemblyman Keith Wright; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and his African Advisory Council; Souleimane Konaté, imam of the Masjid Aqsa Mosque in Harlem; New York City Civil Court Judge W. Franc Perry; New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat; Manhattan Borough President Brewer’s Immigrant Task Force; and Halstead Property.

And what a great Go Africa Harlem Street Festival day this was indeed. Have a Great Harlem Street Festival day and more.

Uncategorized

Another Patriotic Holiday

The only thing constant is change and some stories do not end as you expect. And as I was wandering throughout the streets on this day, all of the activities and advertisements in the stores seem to point to the latest buy everything for this holiday day of the day. And July 4th was this holiday. Another one of those red, white and blue flag waving holidays, similar to those holidays of Memorial Day and Veterans day, where the patriots come out in force to wave those American flags. And though that photo in this blog post above doesn’t really have anything to do with July 4th, it was taken on that July 4th weekend during that one day road trip in that state of New York near that town of Beacon, New York on the roadside towards that 2016 Vermont Annual Rainbow Gathering, that I never seemingly made it to, though attempted. And even at one of those hippie peace and love gatherings, this is also what a police state looks like, with a description of that event that reads something like:

We will gather peacefully for silent meditation in the morning of July 4th, 2016 until noon; and a peaceful assembly of free speech and expression from July 1st through the end of Vision Counsel; in the public lands of the White and Green Mountains National Forests in the states of Vermont, Maine or New Hampshire

We, who are brothers & sisters, children of God, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves Rainbow Family Tribe, humbly invite:

All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals — out of love.
All nations & national leaders — out of respect
All religions & religious leaders — out of faith
All politicians — out of charity

to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. & to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, for three days, but upon the fourth day of July at noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honor & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world — asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace.

Feel free to arrive a few weeks early to create the gathering and/or stay a few weeks late to clean it all up.

Welcome Home.

And so here is another one of those recycle this blagh July 4th blog posts in an attempt to maintain content for this blog and my other blog whenever bloggers block possible because hey, it’s less writing sometimes.

The 4th of July Again

And here on this day is another one of those holidays that seem to repeat itself each year as if to say same holiday, different year, so much that I find myself reposting those holiday blog entries again, as this blog seems as if it wants to repeat itself sometimes over the days, months, years, centuries and infinity, maybe:

It’s July 4th again. Another one of those national American patriotic holidays that is celebrated and observed only in America and nowhere else in the world. And what does the word “Patriotic” mean anyway? And for what reason does the word patriot have the word riot in it. And that “Parens Patriae” government as parent, father of a country sovereign guardianship of property thing, what’s that all about? And for what reason does the phrase Parens Patriae have the word patriot in it. That could be a whole another blog post of isms of some sort. And it’s that time of year again when the image of the American flag is worshiped and honored for whatever the reason may be and more patriotic songs are sung and more pledging of allegiance to the flags are pledged. Didn’t the flag waving just end last month with Memorial May, the other ultimate patriotic American holiday? And what is being celebrated this time? I can’t remember the meaning of July fourth. Doesn’t it have something to do with freedom or the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia? I am not sure if anyone is free when others are oppressed and civil liberties are disappearing at the speed of light in the name of “Security and terrorism” and now, the latest trend “Plots”. Although the show business of fireworks for pyrotechnics of peace and war for this day can be really cool to look at and the rooftop parties can be fun. Again, I should consult Wikipedia, the ultimate internet bible to understand the meaning of this holiday. Happy July 4th, great travels, fireworks, barbecues, beachgoing and picnics.

And this one also…..

Plastic

Today is July 4th. The fourth of July. It’s a day when there will be lots of events, celebrations, parties, barbeque’s and outdoor activities going on. Have you ever thought about the amount of plastic that will be disposed of today in all of this activity? Have you taken time to think of where that plastic cup or bag goes when you throw it in the garbage. As most of the parties today will most likely not be contributing to the recycling program. There are countries in Europe that impose a plastic bag tax, PlasTax of .5 cents for every plastic bag you receive to discourage the frivolous use of plastic. Ireland has reduced their consumption of plastic bags by 90 percent as a result. As New York City is contemplating a plastic ban, the plastic pimper corporations are not. America is drowning in plastic. As I have mentioned before, the evils of plastic are many. It is a non biodegradable object fueling the petroleum oil industry. The health hazards of plastic are many. Greenhouse gas emissions have run amok. Drains are being clogged and drain flooding is increasing. The birds of the earth are dying and choking from it and people are suffocating from it. For what reason is not a more natural material and product being created to replace plastic? If you are at a party today, consider the environment. Consider reusing your cup or your bag today. Go Green. And what does this have to do with a No Police State? Happy July 4th.