Special Movie Night: The Black Power Years from Eyes on the Prize

Episode from the landmark Eyes on the Prize television series which spans over three decades of history, and dozens of events across the country during the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement.

This film showing is part of the Commemoration Events at the Uhuru House April 4-6, 2014:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: World Renowned African Leader Omali Yeshitela in Oakland for April Events for Black Power, Self-Reliance and Black Community Health and Justice Uhuru Movement Will Host a Series of Events to Honor the Legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Hutton

Oakland, CA, April 4-6, 2014,During the first weekend in April, the Uhuru House, located at 7911 MacArthur Blvd in Oakland, will host a series of events for the purpose of establishing ongoing economic development and self-reliance within black communities. The three days of activities will begin on Friday, April 4th at 7pm with the showing of the historical film “Eyes on the Prize: the Black Power Years.”

On Saturday, April 5th, and also at the East Oakland location, the Uhuru House presents a Health Fair where practitioners will offer health and wellness workshops, clinics, and information sessions from noon to 4pm. Later that afternoon at 2:30, Uhuru Movement organizers will hold a ceremony to re-open the Uhuru House Garden Project that had been established in the ’90’s.

Finally, on Sunday, April 6th, the Uhuru House will hold a commemoration of the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and “’Lil” Bobby Hutton, who were both killed in April of 1968 in the midst of the struggle for African community political and economic self-reliance. The Sunday event will feature Chairman Omali Yeshitela, leader and founder of the Uhuru Movement, and longtime leader and activist for African self-determination worldwide.

States Bakari Olatunji, local organizer with the Uhuru Movement, “Every year we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; however, we often whitewash the memory of Dr. King who, later in his life, represented the interests of black workers and spoke out against the violence of the U.S.”

Bobby Hutton was the first member of the Black Panther Party in Oakland, CA. On April 6, 1968, just shy of his 18th birthday, Hutton was gunned down in West Oakland by Oakland police, just two days after the assassination of Martin Luther King.

Continues Olatunji, “’Lil’ Bobby Hutton is not just a local hero, but was a young man who stood tall for African people everywhere against police violence, poverty and oppression. We want to remember both these leaders and emulate the stand they took.”

The Uhuru House hosts activities to bring about change in the community and is part of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund aiming to end disparities in health, education, healthcare and economic development in African communities. The Oakland center is soon to be the home to the well-known Uhuru Foods & Pies and upcoming Uhuru Jiko kitchen, a part of Black Star Industries which includes an independent worldwide African marketplace. For more info, contact Bakari Olatunji at 510 569 9629 or email oakland [at] inpdum.org