First Published: The Call, Vol. 3, No. 3, December 1974.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
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A massive march and demonstration has been called to demand an end to the racist attacks against the Black community of Boston. The demonstration, called for December 14, is being sponsored by a broad coalition including civil rights groups, liberals, and revolutionary organizations.
The October League has called for the formation of the “Fred Hampton Contingent” to march within the demonstration as an independent force in unity with the general aims of the action. The purpose of this independent contingent in the march is to demonstrate that there are many forces among the people who are opposed to racist attacks, and at the same time who do not go along with the views of the liberal millionaires like Kennedy and the Democratic Party who are a major influence in the demonstration.
Some of the sponsors for the December 14 march include: Clyde Bellecourt, a co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM); Father Phillip Berrigan; John Black, vice-president of Dist. 1199, Drug and Hospital Workers Union; Walter Collins, a leader of the Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF); Carlos Feliciano, Puerto Rican political prisoner: Corky Gonzales, head of the Denver Crusade for Justice; the San Quentin Six, political prisoners; and a host of progressive groups and individuals.
Plans for the demonstration were announced at a press conference called by Black Senator-elect William Owens of Boston on behalf of the Emergency Committee for a National Mobilization Against Racism. Senator-elect Owens stated, “The eyes of the nation and the world are now focused on Boston. The December 14 demonstration against racist violence will show that the vast majority of Bostonians, black, brown, yellow and white, stand on the side of human rights and justice and oppose mob violence against all school children. We call on justice-loving people from all 50 states to come to Boston and join our freedom march.”
The purpose of the “Fred Hampton Contingent,” named for the Black liberation fighter who was murdered five years ago by police, is to show that these racist attacks are part of a system built upon the enslavement of people of color all around the world, and that all the liberal schemes aimed at integration and “everyone loving their fellow man” will not solve the basic problems which Black and other oppressed people face. These problems can only be finally solved in in the course of the revolutionary fight against imperialism which is the root cause of national oppression and racism. Aside from opposing the fascist attacks on Black people, demanding protection for Black and other minority children, the Contingent will also voice its support of the right of self-defense and the cause of Black liberation.