September 24, 2023
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 28, Issue 36
African-American News&Issues
If you have a strong ego and a mental disorder, there’s a strong chance you can become president of the United States.
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
- Roy Douglas Malonson
Freedom Maker Unveiling: Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, left, observes as William O. Perkins III explains images on the “Ben” Freedom Marker while artists Angelbert Metoyer and Dawolu Jabari Anderson look on.
Commissioner Ellis Unveils ‘Freedom’ Marker
By: David Ellison
When philanthropist William O. Perkins III embarked on a massive project to analyze thousands of run-away slave advertisements, one of the main angles he wanted to relay to the public is the human experience and desire to be free. “As I look at these ads and courageous acts, it’s hard to get me to walk around Memorial Park for 3 miles,” Perkins said at a ceremony hosted by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis to unveil a Freedom Marker to honor “Ben,” who escaped slavery on Sept. 13, 1864. “So, these people were running hundreds of thousands miles – no compass, no Google Maps, nothing. Just the desire to be free or the desire to reunite with a loved one.” Perkins initiated a project that resulted in a searchable database of more than 10,000 enslaved people who sought their freedom by running away. The Ben marker, which was donated to Har-
ris County, was the first monument presented to the public at a ceremony held at the University of Houston-Downtown on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The event took place during International Underground Railroad Month, which is recognized in September because well-known freedom seekers and Underground Railroad operatives, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, escaped from slavery in that month. “These projects give us space to reflect on our past but also to imagine a future where George Floyd, Sandra Bland, Ahmad Aubery, Breonna Taylor, and all the others would still be alive,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Ben’s marker will serve that exact purpose.” Commissioner Ellis and his staff will determine where to place the bronze marker, which resembles a manhole-styled plate.
Freedom on pg. 4
Paxton Impeachment Trial: Texas Organizing Project Condemns Cowardly Acquittal By: Daniel Barrera
Today’s sham acquittal of Ken Paxton is an affront to the rule of law and a betrayal of every democratic principle we hold dear. Paxton has proven himself unfit for office, throughout his tenure he used his role to service wealthy donors and a far-right extremist agenda. A Trump and MAGA acolyte, who participated at the January 6th rally ahead of the insurrection at the Capitol and wasted at least $45,000 of taxpayer dollars trying to overturn the 2020 election, Paxton is still also under indictment for securities fraud which has been an ongoing investigation since 2015. The following is a joint statement from Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Directors Brianna Brown and Michelle Tremillo, on Paxton not being convicted on any of the 16 article of impeachment: Michelle Tremillo stated, “From Trump, to Clarence Thomas, and now Paxton, we are witnessing a grand display of the normalization of corruption and far-right extremism. This must stop.” Brianna Brown added, “Paxton isn’t just a singular corrupt individual; he’s part of a larger corrupt ecosystem that has Trial on pg. 5