The Gathering is a National movement for coordination to engage organizations in a common covenant for justice and ending child incarceration. It was founded by actor/activist Harry Belafonte in 2005 after he witnessed police officers called in by school administrators put handcuffs on 5-year-old Ja'eisha Scott's wrists and ankles after a half-hour temper tantrum and took the 40-pound girl to the local police station before releasing her to her mother. Mr. Belafonte realized that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system.
Since this watershed moment, there have been 6 Gatherings over the past year and half. Collectively over 1,000 youth and 200 elders have come together and declared their commitment to this mobilization. The Gatherings have also been about bridging the gap between communities and different ethnic groups. Gatherings have been hosted by the Latino community in Santa Cruz, the Native American community at Onondaga Nation, the Caucasian Community in Appalachia, the Asian Community in Orange County as well as the Black community in Epps, Alabama. It's about bringing awareness to each of our communities. One HOOD has been involved in the Gathering from the first Gathering of the Youth in Epps, Alabama. It is because of One HOOD's participation and commitment to improving the lives of the youth in our communities that we have been asked coordinate the Pittsburgh Regional Gathering..
The Pittsburgh Regional Gathering is a collaboration between various organizations who desire to see Pittsburgh be a more livable city for all its residents especially the youth. The Organizations involved include One HOOD, PIIN, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Metro Urban Institute, Potter's House Ministries, Voices Against Violence, Darkins Communications, Mental Health Association-Allegheny County, You Sister's Project, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Thomas Merton Center, Millions More Movement of Southwest PA, The BlackWatch Movement, Brotha Ash Productions, The League of Young Voters, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Disciples of the Village and the United Christian Hip-Hop Coalition.
The Pittsburgh Regional Gathering will begin on August 3, 2007, at 7:00pm with a kickoff concert at the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty featuring conscience Hip-Hop artist Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers, as well as powerful and positive Hip-Hop artists from Pittsburgh. We want to show our youth we can have fun in a safe environment with positive music.
On Saturday August 4, 2007, at 9:00am there will be a conference centering on how we can effectively come together to provide and implement solutions to save the youth of our communities that are dieing daily. This conference will be hosted by the Metro Urban Institute and will take place at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Panels will be conducted and discussions will focus on the areas of Economics, Politics, Education, the Role of the Church, and the Role of Pop Culture/Media. Our Keynote Speaker will be Fred Hampton Jr. and we will have words of encouragement from Mumia Abu-Jamal. We will also have a panel highlighting injustices that have taken place in Pittsburgh and attorneys will provide guidance on how best to proceed when an injustice happens to you.
On Sunday, August 5 2007, we are calling on the faith community, be they Christians, Jews, Muslims or Other, to hold their services outside in the community. Our youth need to see more people of faith in the community encouraging righteous and moral conduct. At 3:00pm we will have a interfaith community dialogue at the historic Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Homewood then proceed to walk through the community in a show of unity under God.
We are still seeking organizations and individuals who would like to help us make the Pittsburgh Regional Gathering a reality. We also extend a special invitation to all of our elders for their participation. Please fell free to contact us at
[email protected] for more information or log on to www.thegatheringforjustice.org.
More info on prior Gatherings:
Harry Belafonte organizes 'The Gathering'
I Chose To Be A Civil Rights Warrior
