by Luis Alejandro Molina Alanis
Last Sunday, Luis Alejandro Molina, the PRCC Board of Director’s Treasurer, was invited to celebrate the birthdays of two legendary Black freedom fighters and former Black political prisoners, Herman Bell and Sundiata Acoli.
The celebration at Brooklyn’s Redemption Hall was emceed by veteran activist and educator Monifa Bandele, and attorney Soffiyah Elijah poured the libation. A short cultural program featuring singer YahNé Ndgoand, poets Nasir Joseph and Steve Bloom followed, after which the crowd of over 125 was invited to partake of the delicious food. Herman and Sundiata received many gifts, including Puerto Rican guayaberas on behalf of the PRCC, and many abrazos full of love and solidarity by all.
In the late 80s, Herman and Sundiata were featured in the collection of political prisoners’ biographies, Can’t Jail the Spirit! published by the Committee to End the Marion Lockdown. It was published in several editions, the first one being printed in 1988 and available here: https://bit.ly/CJSpirit)
Herman, accused of carrying out militant actions as part of the Black Liberation Army, served 42 years and was released in 2018.
Sundiata Acoli, accused alongside Zayd Malik Shakur and Assata Shakur, of carrying out militant actions as part of the Black Liberation Army, served 49 years and was released in 2022.
It was especially fitting that the celebration, another victory for both movements during these dark times, took place in an environment of proud affirmation and the commitment to forge ahead in the struggle for self-determination.
