WE DID IT! Uhuru Foods Will Be at the Maker Faire

Thank you to all Supporters! Visit our booth at Maker Faire 

A huge "Thank you!" to all the supporters of Uhuru Foods from Massachussetts to Florida to California who sent heartfelt e-mail letters of deep unity with the Uhuru Movement and Uhuru Foods. Thanks to everyone who made phone calls, as well.

Because of the broad base of support for the Uhuru Movement, we were notified this morning by Ovations that Uhuru Foods' booth location and contract has been reinstated at the Maker Faire. If you plan to be at Maker Faire, sign up to volunteer at our booth, stop by to make a donation or get your meals from Uhuru Foods. This important fundraiser for African self-determination will be a great success with all of your support.

To find out more about Uhuru Foods and the African Village Survival Initiative, to join the AVSI solidarity committee or to make a donation, go to www.apedf.org or  www.uhurufoods.org

Urgent Call-in: Demand Uhuru Foods is Included at the Maker Faire

Dear Uhuru Foods and Uhuru Movement Supporters,

We are calling on people to write letters and make calls to express shock and outrage at the decision by Ovations, the food coordinators for the Maker Faire 2009 to terminate the contract of Uhuru Foods, without explanation, just 7 days prior to the event. 

(See sample letter)

As you may know, Uhuru Foods has been coordinating popular food concessions at fairs and festivals for 30 years to raise resources in support of the Uhuru Movement programs for African genuine economic development and self determination. The booths have offered good quality natural foods, and the opportunity for thousands of volunteers to concretely demonstrate their support for genuine economic development for the black community.

On Friday, May 22nd, Nancy Davis of Ovations notified Uhuru Foods that they were terminating our contract just one week prior to the faire. She refused to give a reason for excluding Uhuru Foods. Uhuru Foods has had an excellent relationship with Maker Faire promoters in the past.

We believe that excluding Uhuru Foods runs counter to the mission of the Maker Faire. The Maker Faire focuses on generating thought and action towards building a sustainable future.
The predominantly white middle class community that produce and attends the Maker Faire have always appreciated being able to support Uhuru Foods. Excluding Uhuru Foods ensures that the festival is an exclusive enterprise that does not include the voice, perspective and struggle of the African working class.

Without any explanation from Ovations for the cancellation, we can only assume that they do not support the independent voice and self determination struggle of the black community, They are choosing to exclude African led programs for true sustainability and justice that African people are leading through the Uhuru Movement. Just as during the early 1960s, some opposed the leading struggles of black people in the South who challenged the status quo with such bold actions as the lunch counter sit-ins.

Read more and participate in the Call-in

Uhuru Solidarity Movement Meeting, Tues, 5/19 at 7pm

When: Tuesday, May 19th, 7 to 8:30pm

Where: Humanist Hall, 390 - 27th St., Oakland

What: Uhuru Solidarity Movement meeting

Come out to participate in the work of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, a part of the African Liberation Movement building a movement on the ground against the policy of police containment and terror in Oakland and beyond. We will study the legacy of Malcolm X on his birthday and the COINTELPRO program that destroyed the Black Power Movement of the 1960's. Find out how to get involved with the African Village Survival Initiative and support the work to build sustainability, justice and programs led by and for the black community. Uhuru means freedom!

Save the Dates! June 11th & 14th Community Forums to Stop Police Terror

From Oscar Grant to Lovelle Mixon:

Why We Must Organize to Stop Police Terror Against the African Community 

and Build the Movement for Economic Development, Reparations & Justice!

Thursday, June 11th, 7 to 9pm

Humanist Hall, 390 - 27th St., Oakland

Sunday, June 14th, 4 to 6pm

Uhuru House, 7911 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland

Dinner following the event

Keynote Speaker:

Omali Yeshitela, Leader and Founder of the Uhuru Movement

Addressing the growing African liberation movement in the U.S., in Africa

and throughout the African world

With Penny Hess, Chairwoman of the African People's Solidarity Committee

Addressing the question of Environmental Justice through African Liberation

$5 to 25 sliding scale

No one turned away for lack of funds

oakland@inpdum.org