History

Political Chronology of the Black August Organizing Committee:
Movement Document.
December 1981

Cont'd

As members have been released from prison, Black August has become rooted in the community. With the same dedication and energy as within prison, Black August has continued to build support for political prisoners and prisoners of war, and to be a voice for those men and women still behind the walls. The organization has been a leading force in developing and reshaping the face and spirit of the prison movement and its support in the community.

In addition to community issues, and the continuing effort to educate the public about prison conditions and political prisoners in this country, Black August worked to build solidarity with the Native American movement, the popular struggles in El Salvador and Iran, and liberation struggles throughout Africa and other third world and progressive movements.

Over the last nine months, the BAOC has made a great impact on the Bay area communities and has made significant gains in rebuilding support for the prison movement. As Black August’s work progressed and showed results, the CDC conspired to attempt to disrupt and discredit the political work being accomplished

Chronology of Black August Activities 1981

March 19 Black August member Shujaa (Ernest Graham) and codefendant Latif (Eugene Allen) are acquitted of the murder of a prison guard after an unprecedented four trials. Shujaa was released after 11 years in prison, four years on death row.

April 17 & 20 Prisoners in San Quentin’s Adjustment Center are beaten and gassed in unprovoked attacks by guards. 40 men are medically treated. In the aftermath, Black August members in the community are instrumental in the formation of the Prison Crisis Committee, a coalition of ex-prisoners, lawyers, legal workers, and community supporters. Through media exposure (interviews, talk shows), mobilizing protest letters to corrections officials, and finally a class action law suit on behalf of the attacked prisoners, Black August helps in precipitating a significant administrative shake-up at San Quentin, including the resignations of the warden and an assistant warden.

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