Black August Reading & Discussion
Black Au
gust acknowledges the fallen comrades that die, sacrifice and struggle for the self-determination and liberation. Black August originated in the California penal system to honor fallen Freedom Fighters, Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain, and Khatari Gaulden. Jonathan Jackson was gunned down outside the Marin County California courthouse on August 7, 1970 as he attempted to liberate three imprisoned Black Liberation Fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee. Ruchell Magee is the sole survivor of that armed liberation attempt. He is the former co-defendant of Angela Davis and has been locked down for 47 years, most of it in solitary confinement. George Jackson was assassinated by prison guards during a Black prison rebellion at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. Three prison guards were also killed during that rebellion and prison officials charged six Black and Latino prisoners with the death of those guards. They became known as the San Quentin Six.
On July 8th, 1971, Angela Davis and George Jackson met in a holding cell beside a courtroom in the Marin Civic Center in the company of two attorneys and an outside observer. It was the first time that they would be in the same room together for an extended period of time. About a year earlier, Davis had seen Jackson when she attended his pre-trial hearing. She had been organizing to free the Soledad Brothers. After their July 1971 meeting, Angela Davis began to write a series of letters to Jackson. On August 27, 1971 The LA Free Press published commentary by Angela Davis on George Jackson’s death.
On August 21, 2020 at 7 pm we will honor these fallen Freedom Fighters by reading commentary written by Davis and discussing themes such as prison rebellion and solidarity.
Link to article: http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/White%20Materials/San%20Quentin/San%20Quentin%20078.pdf
“Settle your quarrels, come together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are already dying who could be saved, that generations more will live poor butchered half-lives if you fail to act. Do what must be done; discover your humanity and your love in revolution.” ― George L. Jackson