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October 13,2004
Election Tied to Civil Rights Struggle
Kerry asks black
voters and the
Almighty for help
( AP) W ith ju s t three Sundays left
less than 10 percent o f black voters
n a tio n ," K erry said at F riendship M is
n ationally supported George W . Bush
have fought fo r, marched fo r, gone to
s io n a ry
B a p tis t C h u rc h , as m any
in 2<MX). But K e rry’ s campaign says there
ja il fo r — some died fo r — could be
congregants waved fans handed out by
have been efforts to turn religious blacks
reversed i f the w rong people are put on
the campaign w ith his slogan, "H ope is
against him based on his support fo r
the Supreme C o u rt.”
on the w ay.”
abortion rig h ts and c iv il unions fo r
"N e ve r again w ill a m illio n A frica n
same-sex couples.
Am ericans be denied the rig h t to exer
Jackson to ld w orshippers th e ir po
cise th e ir vote in the U nited States o f
litic a l concerns are issues that touch
Former Rep. Carrie Meek said Kerry is
black voters and the A lm ig h ty .
A m e rica ." Kerry promised, referring to
th e ir everyday lives, not gay marriage.
"fig h tin g against liars and dem ons.... He
challenges the man who walks with ajaunty
church, but he was in d ire ctly v ilifie d .
The D em ocratic presidential n o m i
the disputed Florida recount in the 2(MK)
“ I see disturbing signs today that some
nee attended tw o church services Sun
presidential race. As he often does be
o f our churches have been confused by
step." She rocked her hips in an imitation
day, instead o f his usual one, w o rs h ip
fore black audiences. K erry said he has
wolves in sheep’ s clo th in g," Jackson said.
o f Bush's swagger as the congregation
ping in M iam i firs t w ith H aitian C atho
a legal team that w ill aggressively re
"H o w did someone else put their agenda
cheered and Kerry laughed from his high-
lics and then w ith Baptists, where the
spond to any allegations o f disenfran
in the front o f the line?”
backed seat behind the pulpit.
Rev. Jesse Jackson and A1 Sharpton
chisement.
B lack turnout is key to K e rry ’ s plan
fo r vic to ry in F lorida and elsewhere —
“ Novem ber 2, the pow er is in your
Kerry was in New M exico Monday to
hands, hands that once picked co tto n ,”
prepare for the third and final presidential
Jackson said.
debate on Wednesday in Tempe, A riz.
Gala Honors Women of Achievement
The International CenterforTraditional
Childbearing has announced that film and
television actress Yvette Freeman w ill be
the keynote speaker at the group's gala
and awards banquet Oct. 16at6p.m. inthe
Smith Memorial Ballroom at Portland State
University.
Freeman w ill talk about her dram atic
weight loss o f 120 pounds and her ad
vocacy w ork in diabetes prevention
education in black and poor co m m uni
ties. In 2003, she was named National
Advocacy Ambassador fo r the D iabe
Speakers avoided c ritic iz in g Presi
dent Bush by name, since they were in
asking fo r all the help he can get from
struggle.
Activist actress
to give keynote
address
Added Sharpton: "E v e ry th in g we
before E lection Day, Sen. John K erry is
tied his election to the c iv il rights
Sen. John Kerry
"W e have an unfinished march in this
P ro ce e d s fr o m the
tes Association.
event w ill support the
Freeman continues to
programs and services o f
perform her award-win
the International Center
ning role o f Dinah Wash
fo r Traditional C hildbear
ington in "Dinah Was
ing. The center provides
and acting on the NBC
free pregnancy testing,
series ER where she has
r e fe r r a ls ,
advocacy,
p la ye d N urse H aleh
breastfeeding prom otion
Adams fo r the last 12
and
s u p p o rt,
baby
years.
clothes exchanges. Bless
The gala and awards
ing Ways ( honoring preg
banquet includes presen
nant wom en) and spon
tation o f the 2004 Unsung
sorship o f the Sister Care
Hero Award to Mariah
high school retention
Taylor, registered nurse
program fo r female stu
and founder o f the North
Yvette Freeman
dents interested in pursu
Portland Nurse Practitio-
ing health careers.
nerCommunity Health Clinic. The award is
Tickets for the gala and awards ban
given to a person who has impacted ex
traordinary health changes in their com quet are $50. For more information, call
munity.
503-460-9324.
Black Midwives and
Healers Gather
The International Center for Tra
ditional Childbearing will present the
third annual Black Midwives and
Healers Conference, from Oct. 15
through 17 at the University Place
Hotel, 310 S.W. Lincoln.
This conference focuses on oral
histories, symbolism and quilting -
bringing together practical skills,
community networking and strate
gic planning to support midwives
and healers. Special emphasis con
nects current practices to past tradi
tions, which are essential to the
creation of healthy birth outcomes -
h o listic
h e a lth ,
in cre ased
breastfeeding and the reduction of
infant mortality.
This year, the African W omen’s
Coalition, comprised of immigrant
African women, will provide work
shops on the traditional naming cer
emonies, baby washing, head and
baby wrapping and share the sto
ries of their birth practices. Health
activist and actress Yvette Free
man is a keynote speaker.
For
in fo rm a tio n ,
v isit
www.blackmidwives.com or call
503-460-9324.
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Please Join Us in Saying
“ NO”
to Unequal Treatment.
Vote NO on Constitutional
Amendment 36.
Putting Unequal Treatment in Our
Constitution Would Be a Giant I
I
jvo
Step Backwards for Civil Rights
O
ur nation was founded on high ideals of
liberty, equality, and the basic rights due to
all people. While we have not always
lived up to those ideals, we must always strive to
move forward and not backwards. Many of us may
be uncomfortable with the idea of gay marriage,
Oregon Assembly on Black Affairs
Vanessa Gaston,
CEO, Urban League of Portland
Senator Avel Louise Gordly
Jim Hill, former Oregon Treasurer
The Rev. John W. Garlington, III
The Rev. Lynn Lopez
The Rev. Cecil Charles Prescod
Art Alexander
Jo Ann Bowman
Antoinette & Keith Edwards
Sandra Ford
Johnnie Gage
Calvin 0. Henry
Stephan Herrera
Cliff Jones
Rupert Kinnard
Paul Knowles
Paul Knowles Jr
A. Halim Rahsaan
Yugen Rashad
Kathleen Saadat
Lurlene Shamsud-Oin
Alisa Simmons
Anne Sweet
Floreid Walker
Jerry Walker
The Portland O bserver-O regon’s Oldest Multicultural Publication-is a member of the
National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Repre
sentative Amalgamated Publishers, Ine, New York. NY. and The West Coast Black Publishers
Association • Serving Portland and Vancouver.
but we must not allow that
discomfort to be used to
change our Constitution to
deny rights to our gay and
lesbian neighbors, family
and friends.
Whenever we allow the rights of a minority to be put to a vote of the majority,
we take a giant step backwards in the struggle for equality of all people.
^
“All forms o f bigotry and discrimination are equally wrong and should be opposed by right-thinking
Americans everywhere—I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King J r ’s dream to make room
at the table o f brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people. ”
—Coretta Scott King
“This discrimination is wrong. We cannot keep turning our backs on gay and lesbian Americans.
I have fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against
discrimination based on sexual orientation. I've heard the reasons fo r opposing civil marriage for same-sex
couples. Cut through the distractions, and they stink o f the same fear, hatred,
and intolerance / have known in racism and bigotry' ”
—Congressman John Lewis
“/ see this as a civil rights issue. That means / support gay marriage. ”
—Julian Bond, Civil Rights Leader
Paid for by No on Constitutional Amendment 36
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