Occupy 4 Prisons fundraiser: Angela Davis in Oakland.

Oakland's done a fabulous job with Occupy 4 Prisoners. This fundraiser is coming up at the Grand Lake Theater March 1. Hit it if you can...

UPDATE, MARCH 3, 2012 

This is how the benefit went, with the link below that you can hit to catch some of it:

What a night!  A benefit fundraiser for Occupy4Prisoners brought in a crowd of between 300-350 people. In addition to the screening of newly released documentary, Broken On All Sides, the program consisted of music, an introduction by the Truth Mob, and a line up of eloquent speakers, including Barbara Becnel, Elaine Brown, and Angela Davis.   Statements from incarcerated individuals, giving voice to those behind walls,  included a call-in from from Kevin Cooper from San Quentin's death row. it was an amazingly successful night that exceeded our expectations, and left me breathless with hope and amazement.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to Allen Michaan.   His longstanding generosity and support of the movement is legendary.  He made this event possible.  

A huge thank you to everyone who attended last night's event and/or supported it in any way.  Special thanks to Crystal and  Barbara for their efforts to help create the program, and to Denise for bringing the Message Wall and organizing the Truth Mob.  And thanks to each of the musicians,  speakers, readers, assistants, and other individuals who contributed to the program, publicity,  and/or logistics. 

For those who could not be there, the program portion of the event is available on ustream at this link:  http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20818490

The film itself was a serous eye opener about the Prison Industrial Complex, and it got rave reviews.  Here's one,  posted on twitter,  by OakFoSho: 

What an EPIC documentary. Tears in my eyes. Everyone see "Broken on all Sides." Wow. #Occupy4Prisoners #OO #OWS 

 

One of the highlights of the evening was  an stunning vocal performance 

by Elaine Brown 

after the screening

. Tributes to the Jackson brothers, one each to George and Jonathan,  were moving and powerful. 

 

 Elaine ended the program with "We Shall Overcome."  

 

The glow of this night will will linger for some time.  I had previewed the film twice before on a small screen.  But seeing it in a theater with over 300 clapping, cheering activists  was a completely different experience!  Scenes such as an Occupy Philadelphia march with a speaker calling "We Need a Movement! " or "Let us believe that if Harriet Tubman could organize slaves without an ipad, email, cell phones... that surely we can organize people across the United States of America now!"  were moments not to be forgotten. 

We do have a Movement,  and we are organizing.  That is clear. 

Truly blessed and honored to do this, in solidarity with each of you.  

Rachel Victoria