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Fighting Racism in Cape Giradeau, Mo

Fighting Racism in Cape Girardeau, Missouri Current rating: 0
by Holli Wrice
Email: holli782000 (at) yahoo.com (unverified!) 10 May 2005
A call to action to converge upon the small racist town of Cape Girardeau on June 25, 2005 at the St. Francis Medical Center located at 211 St. Francis Dr. 11:00am for a protest against their discriminatory practices against Blacks and people on medicare. Calling all activists, concerned citizens and those people who will stand against racism and oppression in the state of Missouri.
Greetings to all,


In July 2004, I lost my mother, my best friend to blatant discrimination and negligence from a very oppressed and racist hospital. After several attempts of trying to resolve this matter peacefully with the hospital, all efforts where ignored. So on March 26,2005 my family along with the National Alliance of Black Panthers gathered in front of St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo to protest in a peaceful manner. We wanted to shed light on the past events of racism and un-fair treatment of African Americans, as well as Minority Medicaid recipients.

During our peaceful protest, a police officer came to our demonstration and told us not to use the bullhorn, and stated this was against city ordinance. Sistah Shazza and myself demanded to see the ordinance rule. (Allow me to mention that The NABP as well as myself had contacted the Police Department prior to the demonstration, to see what measures we can take for such usage of the bullhorn, and obtain a permit and etc). The Officer told us if we continued to use the loud horn, he would lock all us up. So the officer than pulled out his play manual and showed us where it states no peace disturbance or yelling and shouting within 50ft. Sistah Shazza, a wonderful and brave soldier informed the officer he was in violation of our right of freedom of speech. I then took it upon myself to called the Police headquarters and spoke with Corporal Price, Price states “ As long we were not disturbing folk with 50ft, we were ok. As I mentioned earlier, the police was contacted, as well as city council to seek a permit weeks before the protest. However, the town is so racist when it comes to blacks they don’t give us a leg to stand on or aid in accomplishing such matters. Please be informed, I tried all efforts to get something in writing and notarized, in there on words they stated to me “It was our right, as long as we are not selling any items, are blocking the streets we can picket and protest all day if we like, but they refuse to put it in writing. This just goes to show you how wishy washy they are.

Several hours into our peaceful protest, the Klu Klux Klan drove a truck as close as they could to us repeatedly coming very close to the curb in which we were standing. They yelled niggers; all the while they drove their pickup with a huge confederate flag waving from the rear of the truck. Some of my family went to a nearby restaurant and they were called niggers. Employees from the hospital showed their nametags and gave us the middle finger. However we remained strong and very focused. We believe at some point they formed at the hospital in which my mother died from injustice and discrimination.

Cape Girardeau is town of roughly 32,000, which is embedded on racism. The town has never had or held such an event. Prior to our demonstration, we sent out Press Releases to all local newspapers, radio stations, and local newscast serving the area. Please be informed, that a phone call had to be made during the protest by an associate of ours to have the Local news come out. Even after the camera guy came out he just ask general information (name and phone number of responsible party) and then stated he would phone me later that day for an interview. That day never came. It just goes to show you how everyone in that town is cliquish and is in cahoots together.

I’m so desperately in need of justice, my family wants justice I’m also aware that there is nothing I can do to change what happen to my precious mother, But I do know I want to work hard at stopping it from happening again. Racism still exists and is very thick and blatant where I reside, here it is 2005 and you still have white supremacists sporting Klan uniforms, Man, I need to tell them that is played out now, times are changed. America is still ass backwards, its up to us to keep the dream alive and going.
Racism is the mind frame of negativity, and we need to keep all racism and negativity under our feet. We still have along way to go. With sincerity, backbones and determined minds we will overcome racism and oppression in America. It may not be in my lifetime but I’m willing to turn the leaf over and get the ball rolling.

The March 26 protest was a great example of people uniting together. Black and Whites both join us in protest. People where coming out of local business to see what was going on. A crowd of visitors came out of the hospital and formed around the fountain in front of the medical center. Black families came out of the medical center and told stories of how there loves ones where being discriminated. We need to keep the fight going on racism.

Join us as we take a stand against racism in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. for more information please email holli782000 (at) yahoo.com

St. Francis No Justice, No Peace!!!
You can Trust and Believe that



Holli Wrice
National Alliance of Black Panthers
Charleston, Missouri
 
 

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