- In your program will agree to that. So at this time, Joanne will make the official presentation. 

- I am very pleased to present this award to Bob Moses, my friend and comrade and to the Algebra Project. And I'd like everybody who's connected with the Algebra Project to stand up and accept a round of applause. (applause) Thank you. This award is the Ella J Baker Award for Service to the Community. And it's presented by my publisher, John Wiley & Sons, who published Ella Baker: Freedom Bound, my biography of Ella Baker. The chairman of the board of John Wiley was very eager to present this award because he once met Ella Baker at a meeting in New York many years ago and he was so impressed by her that when the book came out, he was really glad to be able to present this award. Bob and his wife Janet founded the Algebra Project in 1982. And I just wanted to read you a very short statement that's from the Harvard Educational Review about the project. The project relies on the Mississippi organizing tradition and Ella Baker's techniques as a matter of fact, this article is entitled "Organizing in the Spirit of Ella". The Algebra Project emphasizes the centrality of families to the work of organizing. The empowerment of grass roots people and their recruitment for leadership, and the principle of casting down your bucket where you are and organizing in the context in which one lives and works. So I'm very pleased to present this check to Bob Moses and the Algebra Project. (applause) Well, I wanted to try and talk without the mic cause I'm not gonna talk a lot. When Joanne and Jackie organized an event for Ella while she was still alive, they asked me if I would introduce her. So when we got up on the podium, Ella turned to me and said, well, they got us up here where they put all the others. (laughter) So I've been thinking of how to do this, or what we could do to respect what we are doing here and Ella, and this morning when I was introduced, Jackie said she wanted to introduce one of Ella's children. And so what I thought we could do now is, and Mrs. Gray did something wonderful for us this morning when she asked us to call out the names of people that had gone before us who helped prepare the way for us. And so Ella's legacy is her children, and I was wondering if we couldn't, one by one, anyone here who recognize him or herself as one of Ella's children, one by one, just stand up and say your name for us. And give flesh and blood and spirit to Ella's legacy. My name is Bob Moses. My name is Joanne Grant. 

Off Screen Male: Curtis Mohammad. 

- [Second Off Screen Male] Laurence Gina. 

- [Off Screen Female] Joyce Ladner. 

3rd Male Voice: Derrick Jones. 

4th Male Voice: Reggie Robinson. 

5th Male Voice: Avon Rollins. 

6th Male Voice: Michael Jones. 

7th Male Voice: Marion Barry. (crowd calling out names) (applause) 

- Next we would like to recognize Diane Nash. Where'd she go? Oh, here she is. We'd just like to recognize Diane as a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The woman who set the standard for all the women who followed her. In terms of courage, thoughfulness, militance, and kindness. Now, Diane, we got rid of all the concrete reward when we thought you weren't coming. (laughter) So, we have a song for you from Mrs. Betty Fykes. (applause) ♪ I've been in the storm ♪ ♪ So long ♪ ♪ I've been in the storm ♪ ♪ So long ♪ ♪ I've been in the storm ♪ ♪ So long ♪ ♪ But I'm trying to make heaven my home ♪ ♪ This is a needed time ♪ ♪ This is a needed time ♪ ♪ This is a needed time ♪ ♪ But I'm trying to make heaven my home ♪ ♪ Lord mend my wicked ways ♪ ♪ Lord mend my wicked ways ♪ ♪ Lord mend my wicked ways ♪ ♪ And give me more time to pray ♪ (applause and cheering) 

- That was just beautiful, thank you so much for that Betty. And the beauty of the music and the spirit and the love with which the award was presented. The spirit and the love with which that award was presented is worth much more than money. (applause) 

- Okay, next, is Ed Brown here? While he's coming, I also want to mention that the statement that you read in support of Jamil was originally written by Mike Thelwell and Saint Clairborne and Bill Strickland and I sort of formed a committee where we got it together and sent it off. So we're asking Ed Brown, his brother, to say a few words. (applause) 

- Good afternoon. 

Crowd: Good afternoon. 

- Let me say how wonderful it is to be here with all you young people. (laughter) There are some of you who are young. The others, well I lied. (laughter) Let me begin by extending to you the heartfelt gratitude and shalams of my brother, Jamil Al-Amin. Most of you may know him as H. Rap Brown. (applause) In his own words, he would like for me to greet you in the way in which Muslims greet each other and say to you Assalamu alaikum. 

Crowd: Assalamu alaikum. 

- Jamil, at this point in time, has been incarcerated in the Montgomery County jail. He is awaiting an extradition hearing that will take place on the 21st of April. At which point in time, he will probably be transferred back to Georgia. Let me just tell you that Jamil does not want you or me or anyone to feel down or depressed about his situation. Jamil is a fighter, and he will continue to fight in relationship to these charges that have been placed against him. He is in good health, he was not wounded as was reported by the press. And there are many other kinds of things that have been reported by the press, which you should certainly suspend belief in. Because they have no foundation in fact. There has been a deliberate attempt, in terms of demonizing him, and reducing his humanity. For those of you who know him, you will know that many of the allegations that have been leveled at him are not part of his character. He said to me, because I have not had a chance to talk to him in a manner which is conducive for us to have privacy, he said to me, he said, don't worry. The truth will come. He says truth crushed to earth will rise again. (crowd murmuring agreement) So I want you to understand that you're not looking at someone who is by any means, defeated. They have touched a rock, and they do not know what kind of fight they have on their hands in this situation. I feel that, and he feels that, the struggle continues, it will continue. Around his case it will continue. In terms of requests that people have made of me about things that they can do. The first thing is that you can offer him your prayers. And he does not take that lightly, as being a religious person. The second thing that we have to do is that we have to begin to educate people about who is Jamil Al-Amin? Who is H. Rap Brown? We have to repair and restore his humanity. We have to see him as the multi-dimensional person he is. And basically debunk the kinds of charges that have been made against him that he is simply, quote "A Black Panther" unquote, or he is quote "A Cop Killer" unquote. Jamil has, if you know him, and those of you who worked with him in the movement, was courageous and untiring in his efforts in relationship to the cause in which he believed. He simply brings that also to what he sees as his mission now. Which is the building of an Islamic community in the United States. The second thing that we can do is that we can build support committees for Jamil. And that becomes important to insure that we try and create a balanced kind of atmosphere and eradicate some of the poison that has been placed in the atmosphere by the unfair, overwhelming negative coverage that has been given to him. The third thing that we can do obviously is that those of who us, are inclined, and would like to basically be supporters of his in terms of financial contributions, there is a defense fund. There is a leaflet that will be available to you, which talks about where you can mail whatever contribution you so choose to make. I won't take up any more of your time with regard to that other than to say: we are involved, and continue to be involved, in a struggle. It's not an ending struggle. We sometimes forget about the fact, or we pause and believe that somehow that struggle has come to an end. It doesn't come to an end until we die. As long as there's one person who's oppressed, we're involved in a struggle. As long as there's one person who is needed, who is needed, we're involved in a struggle. As long as justice is denied to anyone, justice is denied to us all, and we're involved in a struggle. The only thing that I can tell you in terms of Jamil Al-Amin is that struggle continues. Thank you. (applause) Allow me one moment, because I am remiss here. I have to do one thing. I really do appreciate the statement that was drawn by you and read earlier. And I will take it to him and share it with him. I'd like to especially single out Michael Thelwell, because as I understand it, he labored long and hard in putting together The Struggle. I understand that it was 600 pages. (laughter) So therefore, I not only thank Michael Thelwell, I thank the editors as well. (laughter and applause) Those of you who haven't received the statement, it's here at the head table as is a pad for anybody to sign who wants to do that. I'm gonna do a couple of housekeeping things while the people from the Walking Wounded Project come forward to make their short presentation. The panels this afternoon, which we hope to start shortly after 3:30, you might want to take out your pen and pencils because we've been, again scrambling for rooms to accommodate the size of this gathering. Alright, ah ha, I don't have it. 

- People are beginning to get up and move. Could we ask people to just have a minute of silent prayer for Brother Al-Amin's part right now? Because that was one of the things he asked us to do. 

- Oh, okay. There's been a request for a moment of prayer for Al-Amin, so if we could have one moment and then we'll go on with the rest, alright. Thank you. I'm gonna read very quickly where the panels are located this afternoon. Black and white together, and I'm gonna do fast now, with Ann Braden, Jim Foreman, and Zahara Simmons, in the Estey Hall Auditorium. A Discussion of Ain't Scared of Your Jails with Diane Nash, Reggie Robinson, and Bob Zellner will be in the C2 in the convention center. With Bob Zellner as the moderator, Tim Jenkins is the moderator on the first one. The Media, 60s and Now, the third panel will be in the convention center D2, with Julian Bond, Doris Derby, and Dottie Zellner. Organizing Student Movements Today, D3, MacArthur Cotton, Dave Dennis, Hollis Watkins, Sekou Franklin, Deidre Edwards, and Susan Glisson. Teaching the Movement in the Primary Grade will be conducted by Maggie Donovan in the Ennis Room of Estey Hall. Contemporary Organizing: Combining Labor with Communities with Curtis Hayes Mohammad, Pat Bryant, and Charles Insley will be in the Estey Conference room. The Sit-in Movement, these are heck panels here, boy. Deon Diamond, Charles Jones, Avon Rollins, Frank Smith, and Virginius Thornton will be at the Convention Center in E2. Organizing in Alabama with Eric Jones, Janet Moses, Cleave Sellers, will be in E3. How Do We Get to the Just Society? With Casey Hayden, James Lawson, Bob Moses in C1 in the Convention Center. Gender and Democratic Movements, Victoria Gray and Gloria Richardson. (laughter) 

Offscreen Male: Where will that be? 

- Oh, I'm sorry in E1 in the Convention Center. The film Freedom Song will be shown in Room B in the Convention Center with discussants Dorie Ladner, June Johnson, Chuck Mcdew, and Brenda Travis, all people who are featured in this film directly or indirectly I understand. Teaching in the Spirit of Ms. Baker: The Algebra Project and the Freedom Rides will be in the Convention Center in E4. Freedom Schools: Then and Now with Charlie Cobb and Mary Lane in E5 in the Convention Center. And Teaching the Movement: What Do Our Students Get From It? Will be in the snack bar out here. We ran out of rooms. With John Dittmer, Timothy Tyson, and myself. Tomorrow. I totally lost it. 

Crowd: Tonight, what about tonight? 

- Everything else is... The book signing's in The William Gary Student Center from five to six. And then there's a freedom walk that begins at the Sheraton Hotel at seven and the... 

Male Voice: Is that canceled? Last night they said that was canceled. 

- Is it canceled? Oh I'm sorry, it was canceled. Then at 8:00, the cultural evening with a wonderful concert by the SNCC Freedom Singers will be at St. Peters AME Church. St. Paul's. Some say Peter, and some say Paul. (laughter) Where is it? (crowd chatting) Where is the Walking Wounded? Quickly, so we can... Come on. 

Female Voice: Where is the church? 

Male Voice: Edenton and Harrington Street. 

- Edenton and Harrington Streets. You should have a map in your packets. Can we have your attention for one more presentation please. Could you hold down one minute please? We're not finished. 

- My name is Wazir Peacock, some know me as Willie B Peacock. Whichever you can think of will do. I'm here, this is not gonna be a long talk. I'm really making this presentation to some key people here. And, you know, not really leaving anyone out, but Tim Jenkins made a referral to what we're trying to really deal with, and that is many of us who were part of that legacy of Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, SCLC, and CUA, NAACP, who worked out in the field, and really became close comrades in arms and did many things and experiences together. You hear of such things as you walk through the halls since you've been here, people, oh I haven't seen you in 35 years. Man, I'm really glad to hear you. Oh, your brother passed, man, that was three years ago. Many people don't even know anything about that. My brother was a part of the Freedom Singers. What I'm trying to say is that we, on the West Coast, we've identified about 60 people that live out there that we could identify as walking wounded that have many needs, psychologically and physically ill, and spiritual, depression. And we decided we would come together and form a committee that made up such people as Jean Wiley, myself, and Betita, some of you know as Elizabeth Sutherland Martinez, and Mary Lovelace O'Neal and Mike Miller and so on. I've passed out some of the proposals that we've drafted, which will become the application that we made to the Tithes Foundation, we're gonna make to the Tithes Foundation. To receive tax exempt funds to begin to, not bring together money, but a staff of us to go around and bring together some type of identifying of those people that worked with us so closely and are in dire need of help. So if they are, sinking so low that they are not, don't have the willingness or the energy to access these resources that already exist, that we can be friends and start communication with each other to begin to heal ourselves and that kind of thing. So this is what the, the gist of what the Walking Wounded Program is all about. Many people that was on the committee that when we were forming that word, they don't like that name, so we've got two things. The Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement or The Walking Wounded of the Civil Rights Movement. But anyway, nobody's going to volunteer and come together and heal us. We're gonna have to heal ourselves. We're gonna have to write our own history the way we want it written. And we're gonna have to exhibit the archival stuff in the places and things where we want them. And as many of us, that are still alive, and so disjointed so far as being in contact with each other, that's very bad, I don't know if we think we've got forever to live here that one of these days, after a while, we're going to just, we're gonna be in touch with each other. When we get the resources, when we get rich or something, you know. But we could put out a, we could write each other. We could form, where in the states where we have at least three to five people, we could form ourselves a committee to make sure we are in touch with people, the rest of us in other states, and out of the country, wherever we are, so that we can form a tight unit and maybe start that as a project to try to restore and make healthy again the beloved community and expand that internationally as we set out to do. So you will see me walking around here, I don't intend to leave anybody out, but I want to make sure those of us who have this work to do are bringing ourselves back together. Get this proposal that we formulated to begin our work of doing that. Some of you I've already given this to. And at this time, we have developed a type of website, I'm gonna let Betita talk about that to you. Thank you. (applause) Just two minutes okay. As my brother here was explaining, Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, we don't have a Veteran's Administration to take care of folks. There's all kinds of groups, the Veterans of the Spanish Civil War, the Lincoln Brigade, they've got an organization. World War II Veterans have an organization. People in other struggles have organizations. There is none for the Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement. So that's the idea here. And we're calling it the Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement Project, or if you like to say Walking Wounded, because some people definitely are. The website is a major tool of this project. And I'm gonna just talk two minutes about what is on that website, which is up now, if anybody wants to write it down, it's www.crmvet.org. 

Crowd: Can you do it again? 

- Alright, (foreign language) www.crmvet Civil Rights Movement Veterans, right. .org. And there'll be some interest in it, I think, also for young folks. Not just for the older wounded. I'll get to the reason for that in a minute. 

Male Voice: Does the vet have s on it? 

- No, just vet. Yeah, www.crm .crmvet.org. So that's the website, it is up and running. It's just started and has three sections. Three sections, four sections. One is a section that I think will be of interest to everybody, which is what we're calling the Veteran Section. It's where we're asking people to post information about themselves. What you were before in the Civil Rights Movement, what you're doing now, how you are, put a picture of yourself in there, hey, you can put photos on websites, right. So everybody can see how gorgeous you still are or whatever. (laughter) You can look up people there, which you haven't been able to find. Which is another asset, we think, to this project. You can post information about anything you want to, just as long as it's not 99 pages long. Secondly, there'll be information on this website about resources that we hope to find might help people. Like ways to get health insurance maybe cheap or free. Whatever the needs are for the different needs that Wazir mentioned, and also putting people in touch to form local committees, like he said. Because a few folks in the Bay Area can't do it alone. Nor should we. But that would be some of the communication that we're, and identification resources. Third, there'll be a memorial section where, you know sometimes you find out two years later, well, so and so died, you know, last week, or whatever. We can keep more up to date on those things and people can pass the word about those who have passed as they wish. And finally will be the list of resources and links to getting more information about them. So, we hope that you all will consider adding your names and your histories and photos if possible to the website. And sort of the motto, I think, at least for me, behind this website, is that the circles go unbroken. All the circles, thank you. (applause) 

- One final thing is that we want to recognize Joanne Grant who formed the fundamental idea for this conference and for Charles Payne and Dr. Moses for taking it up. (applause) 

- And let us thank Martha Norman for organizing it. 

- And I'm asking Brenda Travis and Muriel Tillinghast to go to the Gender Panel. Thank you. (crowd chatting)