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YOU ARE INVITED on behalf of the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO) to our

JUSTICE FUND DINNER on October 5, 2013, in Benton Harbor, Michigan!

Our special guest speaker will be actor and political activist DANNY GLOVER, the famed "Lethal Weapon"

and Color Purple star who is also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

WHERE: Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022

WHEN: October 5, doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the Justice Fund Dinner starts at 7:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: Tickets are $50 dollars per guest

The Justice Fund Dinner is a fundraising event to enable BANCO Organization to continue helping

people in Benton Harbor and across the country. Director Rev. Edward Pinkney and BANCO members:

Led the 2012 Occupy the PGA protest against Benton Harbors loss of self-autonomy under an

appointed emergency financial manager, who set aside all duly-elected city council members and

began selling public lands

Lead a quest to stop gentrification - the attempt to drive out African Americans

Oppose courthouse corruption that unfairly targets African Americans for imprisonment and help

clear innocent people from serious criminal charges

Promote accountability by government, civil rights organizations, and individuals

Rev. Pinkney leads the "Occupy the PGA protest" for social and economic justice

The banquet Justice Fund will also honor the Black Farmers of America with Rev Al Sampson, dedicated

to bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to inner city food deserts, areas where residents have no

supermarkets.

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Rev. Sampson was ordained by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1966. He

earned his master's degree in cultural studies from Governors State University in 1973 and his master's of

divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1977. He also worked with the Reverend James Bevel to

help organize Resurrection City for King's Poor People's Campaign. Sampson is president of the National

Black Farmers Harvest and Business Trade Cooperative and stresses the Black community's economic

development.

Benton Harbor is located in Southwest Michigan, along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. It is the firstcity in the U.S.A. where the democratic process has been set aside and duly elected officials were

replaced by an emergency financial manager appointed by the governor in March 2011. Joseph Harris

immediately suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor's elected city officials, who can hold

meetings but are not allowed to govern. The Michigan AFL-CIO president called the move "sad news for

democracy in Michigan." Benton Harbor's racial makeup is 93% African American and 5% White, according

to the 2000 U.S. Census. The per capita income for the city is just $9,000, the lowest in Michigan, and

43% of the population live below the poverty line. Across the lake in Benton Harbor's "twin city," St.

Joseph, the population is roughly 90% White and 5% African American, and only 4% of the families live

below the poverty line.

Segregation and economic injustice must end in the

21st century!

We are making a request to every person who believes in justice to come and support the City of Benton

Harbor and BANCO. Enjoy the opportunity to have a delicious dinner with actor-activist Danny

Glover, Rev. Pinkney, and Rev. Sampson, great voices for justice and human rights. If for some reason

you cannot attend the Justice Fund Dinner, please give a donation to BANCO Organization, 1940 UnionStreet, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Danny Glover brought fans to their feet when he addressed guests at the city of Tampa employees'

Black History Committee's 25th anniversary Scholarship Gala. Glover told nearly 300 guests not to

fear the past, but to celebrate historic economic, education and voting acts that changed their

lives. (Tampa Bay Times) He gave a rousing speech at Occupy Wall Street in 2011

http://youtu.be/vSc7MDtJm4c . BANCO is honored to have him lend his voice to economic and social

justice in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Rev. Al Sampson: A Voice with Action - African American Registry

http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/rev-al-sampson-voice-action

For more information about the Justice Fund Dinner, please email Rev. Pinkney at

banco9342@sbcglobal.net, and visit BANCO online at http://www.bhbanco.org/

Danny Glover

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhbanco.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEJJYcphysf7cXeGJNF2Y4_EW0r0whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aaregistry.org%2Fhistoric_events%2Fview%2Frev-al-sampson-voice-action&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxFmmD8JK8lrc9a5jOAHPm6-xJjQhttp://youtu.be/vSc7MDtJm4c