Former Black Panther to speak in Belfast

antrim | miscellaneous | press release Friday February 27, 2009 21:34 by WSM

Former Black Panther and Black Liberation Army member Ashanti Alston is to speak in the Culturlann next week as part of a speaking tour of Ireland.

Ashanti known as the 'anarchist panther' was a member of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and the early 1970s. As a political prisoner Ashanti spent over a decade in US prisons and since became an anarchist while still drawing on many of his experiences and ideas that spurred him on as a Black Panther activist.

Ashanti remains a community activist in New Jersey and in recent years has spoke in several cities across the United States said:
“I am delighted to be embarking on this tour across Ireland ending in Liberty Hall on March 7 for the Dublin Anarchist Bookfair, especially whenever everyone is suffering from Obamamania at the moment.

I have always wanted to visit Belfast as I was influenced by the struggle here particularly during the civil rights era and hope to share my experiences in the struggle for social change.”

WSM spokesperson Michael McGovern added: “We are delighted to be hosting this talk as we have a lot to learn from the Black Panthers in terms of their successful community programmes. In times of growing inequality, unemployment and bankers being bailed out the need for a revolutionary transformation of society is as relevant as it was in the 1960s.”

The upcoming talk, which is free, takes place on Tuesday, March 3 at 7pm at the Culturlann Gallery room), 216 Falls Road, West Belfast.

Also live interview with Belfast radio show The Fourth World War, Feile FM on Monday 2nd March at 6.30pm.
Féile FM 103.2 or on line at www.feilefm.com

Related Link:: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90924

For more info contact:
belfastwsm@yahoo.com
07864833031
www.wsm.ie