A call from Global Women’s Strike

Defend the Right to Vote In Benton Harbor!
Stop the Frame-up of Rev. Edward Pinkney!

On Monday, April 18 Benton Harbor police arrested
activist and civil rights leader, the Rev. Edward
Pinkney, an outspoken organizer against police
brutality and economic devastation in that largely
African American city. He has been charged with four
felonies and a misdemeanor because of his leadership
in a successful election recall of a City Commissioner
who strongly supports the police chief.

Benton Harbor’s Black community rose in rebellion
against police brutality in June of 2003. Massive
repression followed the uprising. The city was
occupied by 200 state and local police armed with
armored personnel carriers, helicopters and dogs. Rev.
Pinkney was a leader of a large civil rights march in
Benton Harbor following the rebellion. His continuing
activities to expose police brutality, fight for jobs
and investment in Benton Harbor and to expose the
racist courts and political machine that operates in
Berrien County has angered the ruling elite.

Rev. Pinkney led a successful petition drive that put
the recall of City Commissioner Glenn Yarbrough on the
ballot. Yarbrough, brother of former mayor Charles
Yarbrough and supporter of police chief Samuel Harris,
was voted out of office in the Feb. 22 recall vote.

Unwilling to accept the will of the people, the County
prosecutor went to court to overturn the election.
Pressure was reportedly brought on one witness to
testify that Rev. Pinkney “bought votes for $5 each.”
The media also went along with this frame-up with
articles denouncing Pinkney and attacking his
character. Other charges include “attempting to
influence absentee voters” and helping voters who
couldn’t read to fill out their ballots! Chief Judge
Paul Maloney overturned the recall of Yarbrough and
ordered a new recall election to be held August 2.
Rev. Pinkney’s arrest followed only a few days later.

The very day of Rev. Pinkney’s arrest, members of
Benton Harbor’s African American community once again
packed City Hall to protest another case of police
brutality. Ms. Alzeni Crumble, a county probation
officer, had been stopped by two white Benton Harbor
cops earlier in the day. The police assaulted Ms.
Crumble and threw her to the ground, according to
witnesses and others who viewed the police video tape
of the incident.

Supporters of Rev. Pinkney are holding a march and
rally protect the right to vote, to demand that the
frame-up charges against him be dropped and for an end
to police brutality and racism in Berrien County.

Donations are needed for his defense. Checks can be
made payable to Attorney Tat Parish and sent c/o Rev.
Edward Pinkney, 1940 Union Street, Benton Harbor, MI
49022.

Rally & March for Justice

MAY 21, 2005 - 1 PM
Benton Harbor Public Library
215 Wall Street (at Pipestone St.)
[I-94, exit 33, about 5 lights turn left on Pipestone, go one block]

issued by: Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice - www.mecawi.org
for transportation information call 313-680-5508 (start in Detroit, proceed on I-94 to BH)

to speak to Rev. Pinkney call: 269-925-0001