Following the monumental #JusticeOrElse gathering on October 10, 2015 in Washington, D.C., many Local Organizing Committees across the United States sprang into action and are working tirelessly to show communities and the world that though 10-10-15 was a memorable day, it went beyond that moment. It was the beginning of a unified effort that has grown into a movement focused on improving educational, economic, cultural, social and political conditions.
Dr. Ava Muhammad, national spokesperson for Min. Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, is on the Nation’s Executive Committee and working around the clock coordinating workshops and activities for Saviours’ Day 2016. Justice Or Else! may have grabbed the world’s attention on 10-10-15 but that was only the beginning of a unified effort to establish a separate and independent reality for Black people in America.
“We now stand poised as a people to fulfill prophecy and to build a nation of our own,” said Dr. Muhammad. “This Saviours’ Day 2016, the convention is centered around nine ministries. Ministries are specialized fields of government that provide services to the citizens.”
Black communities nationwide are in need of quality health and human service delivery systems, improved commerce to create and develop an economic base that will harness Black spending power estimated at $1.1 to $1.3 trillion to urban farming and agricultural industry to grow clean, healthy food and provide for other pressing needs. There is also a need for a new educational reality not rooted in White supremacy and Black inferiority, Dr. Muhammad noted.
Those with specialized knowledge will conduct seminars and share their ideas during SD 2016 to create a clear working vision of how a nation functions. This is consistent with the theme of Minister Farrakhan’s message.
A ‘Black Money Mob’ and more work on the ground
Meanwhile supporters of the Justice Or Else! movement and others have been busy:
· In Memphis, Tennessee, the Justice Or Else! Local Organizing Committee (LOC) initiated a “Black Money Mob.” Black consumers were directed to specific Black-owned businesses in different parts of the city to spend money and business owners were asked to reinvest a portion of that money in the community.
· In Columbus, Ohio, led by Fruit of Islam Student Captain Dennis Muhammad, the Peacekeepers, an organization he founded which has 25 chapters nationwide, trained 125 men who are a part of the “10,000 Fearless.” Dennis Muhammad is well-known for peacemaking with street organizations and speaking all over the country promoting reconciliation and combatting violence in Black neighborhoods.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one heavy emphasis for the Justice Or Else! LOC has been supporting Black-owned businesses and circulating Black dollars within the community. During Kwanzaa, the Philadelphia Justice Or Else! LOC held a screening of “The Film Black Friday,” which emphasizes financial empowerment and building a legacy of generational wealth for Black families.
· Moved to assist the residents of Flint, Mich., who activists say are victims of environmental racism sanctioned by political officials with little regard for their health and welfare, Yonasda Lonewolf Hill is spearheading the #HipHop4Flint movement. Over 45 cities will be hosting events on March 19 to show support for Flint residents. The activist is also a Justice Or Else! organizer.
Economic battles in Waxahachie, Texas
Members of the Nation of Islam and the Waxahachie, Texas LOC stood outside of a Korean-owned beauty supply shop and redirected potential customers to Empress Beauty Supply, a Black-owned store. Many Black residents in this small town of nearly 32,000 had no idea that a Black-owned business alternative existed. Significant numbers of customers opted to shop at Empress Beauty Supply, which has Black employees and features Black-made products.
Ending ‘beefs’ in New Orleans and Milwaukee
Student Minister Willie Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 46 and the New Orleans PeaceKeepers made the cover of a recent edition of The Times-Picayune for their success in stopping young Black men from engaging in fratricidal conflict. They have successfully mediated nearly 30 beefs saving countless lives. Student Minister William Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 3 in Milwaukee has also worked to establish a Peacekeepers “Stop the Beef” hotline there as well.
Setting up a beachhead in Atlanta
In Atlanta, Georgia, Student Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad, the Southern regional representative of the Nation of Islam, and Reverend Timothy McDonald, pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church, have partnered to lead the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee of Justice Or Else!. In 1995, Rev. McDonald served as Atlanta LOC head. After the October gathering Rev. McDonald and Student Minister Sharrieff Muhammad went to work to establish what they call the 10,000 Fearless Men & Women Headquarters of the South.
Focusing on tainted vaccinations in Miami
In Miami, Florida, the Justice Or Else! Local Organizing Committee has had two town hall meetings, one focusing heavily on dangerous and tainted vaccinations. This is especially relevant in Miami, where Congresswoman Fredericka Wilson is trying to pass a bill to make vaccines mandatory for children to attend school. The Miami LOC put together a letter informing the congresswoman of the dangers of vaccines and presenting their opposition to her bill.
‘No More Bloodshed’ in Houston
In Houston, Texas, the #NoMoreBloodshed Movement led by Deric Muhammad and Pastor E.A. Deckard marched in the Houston Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade–but they are not just marching. Deric Muhammad and Pastor Deckard have been leading the call for nonviolence to be practiced within the Black community. (Information about The No More Bloodshed movement is available at http://nomorebs.org/)
In addition, Artists Respecting Community (A.R.C.) have sparked a cultural revolution as many area performers came together in a series of powerful action-oriented meetings at Muhammad Mosque No. 45 hosted by Robert Muhammad, the Southwestern Regional representative of the Nation of Islam. The hashtag #Artists4Justice has spread as social media strategist Jesse Muhammad trains an army of youth and uses their skill, talent and technical abilities to elevate the minds and discussions of young students across the globe.
Opposing mandatory vaccines in California
Student Minister Tony Muhammad, Western Regional representative of the Nation of Islam, has been on the front lines of the battle to prevent Black families and children from being victimized by unsafe vaccines. In 2015, he arranged a meeting between Min. Farrakhan and Atty. Robert Kennedy and joined protests against mandatory vaccine laws in California. After the Justice Or Else! gathering in D.C., he led a multi-racial group of protestors Oct. 23–including members of the Nation of Islam–in demanding answers about vaccine safety and research from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
On the streets, building unity in Chicago
When representatives from the United Nations held a recent hearing and collected testimony from leaders of grassroots organizations who have been in Chicago’s streets for months, the city’s Local Organizing Committee, its partners and members were there. Whatever vehicle allows oppressed people to express themselves and shows the world the level of injustice inside America should be utilized, said Jeffrey Muhammad, chairman of the Chicago LOC.
He has worked closely with veteran organizers T.J. Crawford and Willie “J.R.” Fleming of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign, as well as young activists Lamon Reccord and Ja’Mal Greene to push for justice and confront police brutality.
Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad in Chicago has consistently led conference calls with Local Organizing Committees across the country. The call for Justice Or Else! is the right message at the right time, he said.
“As long as we keep moving, we can bring about the changes we desire, we just have to stay out there in the community, and stay strong,” Jeffrey Muhammad said. “The desire to push for our own independence and self-determination–I love it because our people are learning that no matter how much we have tried to come into this system and work with this system, it just does not care for us. Until we set up our own reality, we’ll continue to be the victims of White supremacy.”