Contact: Jamarhl Crawford
Phone: 617-755-6463
Email: blackstonian@verizon.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10,000 STRONG BOSTON MOVEMENT ORGANIZES TO IMPACT COMMUNITY

New Black Panthers, Activists, Officials, Clergy, Youth and Residents
Mobilize to Address Violence and Cultivate Emerging Leadership SUNDAY JUNE 21st 2009 – FRANKLIN PARK PLAYSTEAD – NOON-6PM

Boston, MA – In response to recent acts of random violence and community cries for Peace and Justice, local organizers have mobilized to hold the 2nd Annual 10,000 Strong Boston on Sunday June 21st at the Playstead in Franklin Park. The 10,000 Strong Boston event was inspired by the Historic Million Man March and subsequent Million Woman March, Million Youth March, Millions More Movement and the even more recent 10,000 Men Philly held in Philadelphia October 2007.

Scheduled Speakers Include: Sen. Bill Owens (HELP for Black Males), Councilor Charles Yancey, Rev. Gregory Groover (Charles St. AME), Rev. Miniard Culpepper (Pleasant Hill Baptist Church), Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, Min. Rodney Muhammad (Nation of Islam), True-See Allah (Nation of Islam), Elder Gilbert White (Church of God & Saints), Imam Faaruuq (Mosque for Praising Allah), Horace Small (Union of Minority Neighborhoods), Kazi Toure (National Jericho Movement), Cindy Diggs (Peace Boston), Vivian Benton-Smith (Youth Workers Alliance), Ron Odom, jr. (BPH), Alicia Canady (Young Black Women’s Society), Paul Marcus (Community Change). Current Candidates for City Council will also be on hand to share their vision for the city, Ego Ezedi (At Large), Ayanna Pressley (At Large), Tomas Gonzalez (At Large), Jean-Claude Sanon (At Large), Carlos Henriquez (District 7). Youth from across the city will also share their insights such as, Jesse Winfrey (Voices of Liberation), Jelani Lynch (Greatest Minds) and Santiago Rivera (Latin Kings & Queens). More speakers to be announced as current Elected Officials confirm.

“We have been describing it to people like a ‘mini-million man march for Boston’ but we have made some key adjustments to strengthen its impact in Boston.” explained convener Jamarhl Crawford, National Minister of Information for the New Black Panther Party and Publisher of the Blackstonian Community Newspaper. Crawford continued, “Many people were critical of the original Million Man March’s focus on men only. We recognize that women must be a part of whatever is being done in our community. They are Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Aunts. They are the working woman, the backbone of the family and far too often the single parent head of household who is the primary caregiver for the children of our community. We have created an all inclusive movement and moment in which all of our communities can stand in unity. 10,000 Strong Boston is Cross-Generational, Cross-Cultural and Multi-Faith. Whether you are Christian, Muslim or Rasta, Young or Old, Male or Female, Black, Latino, Cape Verdean or Asian, we are all impacted by the same issues of crime, drugs, guns, violence, unemployment, education, police and prisons. We have suffered together as part of the problem and now we will stand together as part of the solution.”

10,000 Strong Boston will be a day long event featuring many speakers ranging from Christian & Muslim clergy to professionals, organizers, community activists, candidates, officials and youth. Themes will focus on self-empowerment, conflict resolution promoting gang truces, CORI reform, domestic violence, prison reform, youth development and education.

Last summer, 10,000 Strong Boston attracted over 400 community residents, elected officials, youth and clergy and received positive media reports from the Banner, Globe, Herald, Metro, Phoenix as well as local cable stations NNN and BNN. In order to get the word out in 2008 organizers inundated Boston with over 15,000 flyers and posters as well as 5,000 copies of the Special Edition “10,000 Strong Boston” Blackstonian Community Newspaper.

This year’s event promises an even more dynamic outreach and a broader range of support. 10,000 Strong Boston 2009 has aligned itself with Save Our Streets (organizers of Project Peace 09 – June 27th 2009) and Black Family Unity Day (monthly community event) and is once again being held the day after the Historic Roxbury Homecoming & Juneteenth celebration in order to maximize impact and continue the momentum of this powerful weekend in Boston.
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For a detailed look at 10,000 Strong Boston please see the website: www.10000strongboston.com
For more info or to schedule an interview contact Jamarhl Crawford 617-755-6463 blackstonian(at)verizon.net