Sentenced to 3-10 years for quoting Deuteronomy
This would be almost funny if it weren’t for real – but it is for real. Activist against racism, Rev Edward Pinkey from Michigan, has been jailed for 3-10 years for quoting Deuteronomy in an article in People’s Tribune. The quote and the article are critical of a judge involved in a case brought against Pinkey following his grassroots organising in Benton Harbor.
Benton Harbor is a black city (94% with 70% unemployment). Across the river at St Joseph we find the world headquarters to the Whirlpool Corp. It’s virtually all white. A few years ago, a former CEO of Whirlpool started advocating for a major development of condominiums and golf course on the Benton Harbor side. These would take the river and lake front, and the city’s public beach park. This project, it was planned, would cease to be part of Benton Harbor, and become part of St Joseph. Hands were at work within the city bureaucracy to facilitate the project, I understand.
Rev Pinkey got involved in the resisting the project. Charges were brought. He responded with the letter and quoted Deuteronomy. He’s now been sentenced to 3-10 years for criticizing the judge.
I’ve become familiar with the story through a friend involved in grassroots organising and theology in Michigan and other places.
It seems that while the voice of protest is silenced, the voice of racism and destruction is allowed to continue unabated.
As Mandela and our own history attest, truth can be suppressed, but never silenced – even if the normal news media don’t carry the story.
Is this modern day martyrdom?
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