April 8, 2015 – a 25-year-old black man, Nicholas Thomas, was shot and killed in a vehicle by Smyrna police on Tuesday at around 1:30pm. There is a call for justice.
May, 2014 – Habersham County Georgia, a Northeast Georgia SWAT team raided a residence in which a flash-bang grenade landed in a 1-year olds playpen seriously injuring the toddler. Because the suspected drug dealer had previous weapons charges a “no knock” warrant was issued. There is a call for justice.
Update: As this writing, Habersham County, Georgia, will pay nearly $1 million to settle a lawsuit by the parents of Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh, the toddler who was injured in the drug raid last May. Also, a Habersham County deputy sheriff and special agent of the Mountain Judicial Circuit Criminal Investigation and Suppression Team (“NCIS”), has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of providing false information in a search warrant affidavit and providing the same false information to obtain an arrest warrant. Providing false evidence to a judge to obtain a warrant is a federal civil rights violation.
When you hear reports like this on the news what do you do? Sadly, many, me included, head straight for social media sights like Facebook or Twitter to voice outrage, ask questions and even offer condolences to the families of these slain young black youths. We have round table discussions with friends or over telephone lines and text. But somehow, never seem to take it to the streets on a consistent basis. Shameful yes, but that is why we have people like Marcus Coleman an activist and who stands up for justice in our communities.
Mr. Coleman has long been in fights like this one. I first noticed Marcus on Facebook a couple years ago, someone shared a post that I found quite interesting and decided to befriend him. For the past few years I’ve watched as he has remained constant with his challenging of judicial rulings, his speaking out for justice not only in Georgia, but across the nation as well. He is not an attorney, he is not a political figure, he is a man that possesses a type of enduring tenacity that makes a person like me say…“I’ve got to talk to this man”, and being the type of man that he is, he agreed to sit down with me for an interview to talk about his call for justice.
The criminal justice system has long been the backbone in regards to the governance of law in the United States and historically been biased and has missed the mark in the administering of fair sentencing to the underserved and to people of color. In his mid-twenties, Marcus states that he was unjustly imprisoned for a felony crime and spent 30 months in federal prison. It was during this time of incarceration; his need to help others was formed. Upon his release Marcus went into action and became the founder and President of the Atlanta Chapter and responsible for the acquisition of the South Eastern Regional headquarters of The National Action Network (NAN). He worked closely with and still maintains in close relationship with the Rev. Al Sharpton, and credits him for his position in giving a man like himself, a criminal record, the opportunity to reach and help others on a national platform. It has been over a year and a half since leaving The National Action Network to form his own company Save OurSelves #SOS.
RAL: Tell me about your company Save OurSelves (SOS)
Coleman: “Well, it’s something I always wanted to do even when I worked with The National Action Network, but felt the need to do this outside of that platform. It is new, established in May 2014, and it is different. Currently there is no board of directors as I am taking my time to construct the foundation and the people involved in its foundation. We focus primarily on: 1. the criminal justice system in terms of police brutality, unfair prison sentencing, and prison industrial complexes… anything dealing with the penal justice system. 2. Community outreach with the homeless and those suffering with addiction. 3. Mentor-ship with a concentration of Athletics, and this one is the one that I am most proud of”.
RAL: Why do you do this, and what is your focus?
Coleman: “My major is the black community… with a minor in inclusiveness (laughs) meaning the inclusion of like-minded people with the mindset of fairness and equality for all. I have a number of associates of different races and cultures and religious beliefs, and I don’t discriminate against those who are willing to work hard and fight for an issue. I may be invited to be in meetings and functions with high ranking officials and dignitaries one moment, and the next moment in undeserved communities with individuals who don’t believe in the nationally recognized organizations, and their support and activism is due to a willingness for change in our communities and the abuse suffered by the undeserved and people of color within the criminal justice system. I have associates who are clergymen, atheists and communist, it’s not about their belief or non-belief, it’s about the cause”.
And for Marcus, and the handful of his closest associates, it is about the cause. The Kendrick Johnson case is far from over. Every day, we read truths about his death. As recent as last month, U. S. Federal Marshals seized emails from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office after they concluded that there was no foul play in Kendrick’s’ death. Investigators stand by their findings that Kendrick’s’ death was due to a “freak” accident. The Department of Justice has targeted former students in the ongoing investigation into Johnsons’ death. In addition to the seizing of emails from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department, Federal marshals also raided the home of the Father (current FBI agent), the dorm room of his oldest son, & a couple’s apartment whom were friends with the oldest son…all former classmates of Kendrick. Although not formally charged, the Kendrick’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit naming two brothers who federal authorities are now investigating. I expect their findings in this investigation will be revealed soon, so stay tuned.
Save OurSelves (SOS) is not just a catchy slogan; it is what we as a community now find ourselves having to do not just for our generation, but for generations to come. Surmise it to say, I think that’s what black folks have been doing since our beginning. It’s nothing new, but with changing times and the advancement in technology and social forums, the methods have changed. The grass roots way of finding answers we desperately seek in our communities makes activists like Marcus a necessity in saving ourselves. Until next time my lovelies…
Peace and blessings,
Phaedra
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