Black Church Leaders Partnering with Occupy
Hamil R. Harris at the Washington Post talks with African-American clergy who are embracing the 99% movement as an important ally in the fight for economic justice.
Some critics say the focus of the Occupy movement, which by design does not have leaders, is unclear. But [Occpuy the Dream co-founder Rev. Jamal Harrison] Bryant, who observed the movement from a distance before deciding he wanted to be part of it, was adamant that Occupy the Dream has a defined agenda.
“Number one, we are asking for more Pell grants so that our young people might be able to compete and go to colleges and universities,” he said. “Number two, we are asking for an immediate freezing on foreclosures.” The group is also seeking billions of dollars “from Wall Street for economic development and for job training.”
Beginning in February, Bryant plans to launch a campaign to urge people to bank only at minority-owned financial institutions.
Bryant, 40, a former national youth director for the NAACP, said his involvement in Occupy the Dream feels like he’s “coming home” to his civil rights roots.
“I think the Occupy Wall Street movement has held the legacy of Dr. King and has brought the church back into accountability,” Bryant said. “Dr. King would be here today. He wouldn’t be at a breakfast; he wouldn’t be at a mall. He would be here with us.”
Read the whole thing here.