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Juneteenth Shows Hope for
Richmond's Future

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Contact: Dr. Henry Clark Work: 510-232-3427 Fax: 510-232-4111
E-Mail: HENRYC11@prodigy.net

Attention: Assignment Desk/Daybook

Progressives Join Richmond’s Home-Grown Juneteenth Celebration with the Timeless Message: “No struggle, No Progress”

Progressive speakers, activists and poets, and a chance to win $500 cash.

Richmond -- In the midst of the worst financial crisis in the history of this city the interests and the aspirations of thousands of African American families are threatened. The layoff of city employees, the closures of libraries and after school programs, chronic un-employment and under-employment, the school district crisis and endemic environmental injustice, seem to accumulate and destroy the dream of better lives.

The Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), a local alliance of Progressive Democrats, Greens and Independents, working together in progressive unity for a better and healthier Richmond, salutes the African American community and joins Richmond’s Home-Grown Juneteenth celebration this Saturday 6/19/04 (11AM-6 PM

RPA members Dr. Henry Clark, of the West County Toxics Coalition, and Whitney Dotson, of the North Richmond Open Space Shoreline Alliance, will address important local issues affecting the community. Additionally, the RPA is sponsoring the participation in the program of Maria Labossiere, of the Haiti Action Committee, and poet Raymond Nat Turner, who will be presenting his work “One hundred librarians…”

Furthermore, Juneteenth participants will have a chance to win one prize of $500 in cash by participating in a contest-raffle. To participate in the free RPA raffle for $500 in cash people will need to identify and write down in a provided brochure and under their pictures the names of 25 prominent African Americans who struggled for African American liberation, and answer some current events questions. Participation is FREE. There will be other prizes as well.

The RPA hopes to highlight the importance of connecting to the past and the importance of the words of Frederick Douglas: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress"