DECEMBER 2021

What's Going On?
We moved indoors. Please use this Zoom link to join us the first Sunday of each month at 10:30 AM. If you get a pass code prompt, please use this: 125857. Send us an email at Hello@mvblm.org if you're having trouble connecting.

Whatever holiday you're celebrating as the winter solstice fast approaches, we hope you take the time to reflect on the many people who are missing from their families. Renewing your commitment to equity and justice through action in the New Year will ensure a better future for all of us. We look forward to working together in 2022.
Pervis Payne's Death Penalty Sentence Removed

The first step to freeing Pervis was to protect his life. Your letters and fundraising made a difference. You helped put pressure on Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich who dropped the request for a new hearing on Pervis Payne's intellectual disability. A letter was sent on behalf of MV BLM to Kelly Henry -- Pervis Payne's lawyer, and Rolanda Holman -- his sister, congratulating them on this victory.

Thank you to everyone who wrote letters to Judge Paula Skahan prior to Pervis Payne's sentencing hearing on December 13 requesting his two life sentences be concurrent, not consecutive. We will share information with you as soon as we hear about the ruling. Please read this moving opinion piece in the NY Times about Pervis' situation.

If you would like to continue helping free Pervis Payne, click here to join the list serve of Disrupt Death Row.
Honoring Black and Brown Lives
November 21: Andy Palmer honored Janette, a 14 year old slave. Watch the vigil video here.

December 5: Dana Nunes honored Sheila Detoy. Watch the vigil video here.

WE NEED SPEAKERS!

Your participation in the Sunday vigil keeps it going. Please sign up to present and see the names of everyone who has been honored. Details of how to present are also included in this shared document.

Use this resource to find stories of Black women who were killed and amplify their stories.
Brothers to Men
Dana Nunes and Eric Adams met with Amy Lilavois and other staff at the MV Regional High School last month. There are currently two groups supporting students of color at the high school. One is the fledgling Black Student Alliance which is being formulated, and the other is a program for young women of color which is regularly well attended.

Representatives of the school are very hopeful we will consider helping them develop a similar program for young men. Eric reached out to a number of people to generate interest and is in communication with Matt Malowski who will be the point person for the high school. A meeting with mentors is in the works. Let us know if you you would like to support this program and we'll keep you posted as MV BLM works to support BIPOC youth on the island.
First Responder -- George Floyd

Listen to Katherine Kendall's November 10th ROAR podcast where she interviews Jeremy Norton. Jeremy is a Captain on Engine Company 17 in south Minneapolis and was a first responder at George Floyd's death. His book about Emergency Medical Services will be published next year by Univ. Minn. Press. It focuses on race, class and gender in fire services as well as the impact of toxic masculinity. 
SomeGood News from Bad
The Indian Health Services reversed its discriminatory practices against the Freedmen -- Black Native Americans in the Seminole Nation -- as reported in the New York Times this past October. After denying Freedmen healthcare, including COVID vaccinations, the government agency reversed their position and started providing healthcare services for this population. There's still a lot of work to do to ensure equity for Freedmen as the article highlights.
Listen to Shed, a podcast series featuring interviews with islanders working to end systemic racism. Eric Adams leads each discussion using the unique lens of a therapist. Listeners are invited to "shed their old beliefs about race and make room for a new understanding of it's impact and implications."