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ELECTION SPECIAL: VOTE APRIL 17TH: POLING PLACES AT OPEN 7AM

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Editorial: VOTE FOR PEOPLE'S POWER

On next Tuesday, April 17th, Oakland residents must make a choice: the old politics of rule from the top, or the "new" politics of rule by the people. In the last analysis this is the fundamental issue raised by Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown's campaign for City Office in Oakland. This is why the Oakland municipal elections this year have gained national and even international attention.

The "new" politics of rule by the people is what America is supposed to be about. We all know this, but most have lost faith in its realization. It can be realized. The campaign that Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown have waged in Oakland is proof of this. All that remains is that we demonstrate that we have not lost faith completely when we go to the polls on April 17th.

Those of our brothers and sisters who lament the appearance on the ballot of several Black candidates for the single seat of Mayor of Oakland, remember this: Long before any of those candidates declared their intention to contest the Mayor's seat, Bobby Seale appealed to the East Bay leaders of the old politics for unity in support of a single candidate of agreed upon selection. He was rejected. His appeal was sneered at. He was told they would not unite with him. This was the voice and decision of representatives of the old politics.

Because this meant that the poor and the oppressed of this community would continue to be left without a voice or a vehicle for radical change in their interest, he was left with no alternative but to launch his own People's Campaign for Oakland City Office-Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown. He did so with some regret, knowing what confusions his decision would initially cause. He did so with faith in his ability to explain and our people's ability to understand.

The entire country will be watching what Oakland does on April 17th. Not because Bobby Seaie, the individual is running. But because the actions and deeds of Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown for over several years of struggle and during this campaign have unquestionably demonstrated their devotion to the needs of the oppressed and disadvantaged in Oakland and across this land.

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The opportunity is before us to make Oakland an example of what people's government can be. It requires your vote for Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown on April 17th and your serious committment to let your voice be heard, your muscle be felt in the communities and in the people's chambers of the new city government Bobby and Elaine will create.

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TO PAUL ROBESON: WE CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE

On your 75th birthday we salute you and celebrate your life, Paul Robeson. We have pledged our lives, as you did yours, to the struggle for the liberation of all oppressed humankind. And, like you, we fulfill this pledge by our actions, devoted by necessity to peoples of color at home, in our ancestral homeland and throughout the world. We do so, as you did, because we are Black and among the most severely oppressed.

We guard our journey, as you guarded yours, from all intrusions, obstacles and pitfalls. We will not be diverted. We love our brothers and sister, as you love us. We steel ourselves against adversity and the wrath of the enemy. We draw strength from you and from your life. We stand tall as you stood, proud and beautiful in our Blackness.

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“GROSS ERROR”

Under the heading GROSS ERROR in the March 24th issue of Muhammad Speaks, Leon Forrest, its Editor, profusely apologizes for the appearance in the March 16th issue of an interview with Brother Bobby Rush, spokesman for the Black Panther Party Chapter in the Chicago area.

As an explanation for the apology, he writes that it was brought to his attention after publication "that the Panthers have never relented in their public disdain of the Messenger's program and the Muslim's progress…" Forrest concludes the note with: "This must never occur again."

The Black Panther Party challenges Mr. Forrest to come forward with evidence of any official or responsible leader's "public disdain of the Messenger's program and the Muslim's progress". In the interest of unity in the struggle for liberation, it has been and remains the policy of the Black Panther Party to studiously refrain from public attacks against those of our own who claim a committment to Blackness and to liberation.

Because this has been our policy, relations between members of our Party and members of the Nation of Islam in communities and on the streets throughout the country have been friendly and on numerous occasions cooperative.

Mr. Forrest and the leadership of the Nation of Islam should know that members of the nation with whom Black Panther Party members have contact have expressed deep concern with this attack against our Party. They, like us, understand the extreme importance at this time of Black unity wherever and whenever possible in the interest of liberation, and seriously question the wisdom and intent of such a declaration.

There has indeed been a gross error. But it was not in the appearance of the Bobby Rush interview in Muhammad Speaks. The gross error has been committed by Mr. Forrest in publicly apologizing for publishing the interview. By so doing he puts on public record his (and are we to conclude The Nation's?) final statement on the unity of our people. Only the enemy gains by such a gross error.

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MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO SAM NAPIER

"Circulate to Educate Educate to Liberate"

From the time Samuel Napier joined the Black Panther Party, until the moment he was assassinated in New York City, on April 17, 1971, he was passionately involved with the circulation and distribution of our newspaper, the Black Panther Intercommunal News Service.

His tireless work and his quick laugh, combined with a dedication and a sense of purpose, made Samuel Napier one of the most loved and best respected members of the Party. Perhaps the best tribute to Samuel Napier's contributions to the liberation struggle within this country is expressed in the fact that since mid-1969 the BPINS has missed only one week of publication -- the week following Sam's murder.

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE

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PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN MOVES TOWARD VICTORY

Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown, the People's Candidates for Mayor and Councilwoman of Oakland demonstrated the wide support of their campaign and the tight organization of their political machine last Saturday. They organized a massive 70-car caravan that toured the city and electrified the Black Political Rally, sponsored by the Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA).

The Black Political Rally was held at Nikkole International, a large club and restaurant in downtown Oakland. All candidates for political office in the April 17th elections in Oakland and in Berkeley were invited to speak. Scheduled guest speakers included California Congressman Ron Dellums and Georgia legislator Julian Bond. (See article page 4.)

Anticipating charges of having stacked the rally with his supporters, Bobby told the crowd of over 300: "The audience is stacked because Elaine Brown and I are out in the community everyday from 6:30 a.m., riding buses with the people, meeting them where they work, where they shop, where they play, all day long throughout the city. People of the community want to see us, to hear what we're saying, to check us out. On April 17th the polls will be stacked tool"

After the rally, which was an enthusiastic display of support for the People's Candidates, Bobby and Elaine led the 70-car caravan through East Oakland's predominantly poor Black and Mexican-American community. After the motorcade, this reporter was with the candidates and several campaign workers during a rare moment of relaxation before the next three events of the evening. Bobby beamed with confidence as he talked about how their campaign had remained in the lead after beginning early, how they were pulling even further ahead during the last days before April 17th. "It's due to the organized political machine", he observed, while biting into a hamburger, "we have the process of pulling out the voters in an organized way also", be explained. "All of those cars in the caravan today will be available to take people to the polls. In addition, we'll rent many more passenger vans and station wagons. There will be a worker in each precinct, knocking on doors and explaining the necessity to vote."

The same excitement shown Saturday for the People's Candidate was exemplified at Laney College last Wednesday at a Candidate's Night forum sponsored by the school. The three hundred people present, mostly students, represented a cross-section of the Oakland community. The students had waited patiently while several other candidates spoke.

The other Black candidate did not dare to come to Laney College for he has learned from other engagements there that the students look upon him as a person who is trying to divide the Black vote and treat him accordingly. Instead, he sent a representative, Percy Moore, who buckled when questioned about his candidate's intentions. When asked why the candidate whom he represented had openly attacked Bobby, Moore could only state, "I don't know anything about that, and I don't answer questions I don't know anything about."

Bobby and Elaine were preceded by the so-called liberal white candidates for office who in essence apologized to the students at the beginning of his speech by saying, "I won't speak too long, so you can hear who you've all been waiting for."

When Bobby finally spoke, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. As he explained his charts on the city budget, many persons took notes, their faces serious with intense interest. "The effects of the educational campaign, which is also a sure win campaign, has brothers on the block talking about the fact that Oakland is the second-largest containerized port in

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the world, and about the $77 million budget of the city of Oakland", Bobby said proudly.

Last week the positive response of members of the white community of Oakland at three candidate's forums indicated that Bobby and Elaine will receive a vast number of votes from that segment also. The event of particular interest was at a Candidate's Night sponsored by the Montclair Elementary School PTA in the white, middle-and-high income community.

Although Mayor John Reading and other candidates were present, what the people really related to was Bobby's outline of the city budget, and the Seale-Brown Plan for Revenue Raising, which will add over $17 million dollars to the present city budget. Bobby received enthusiastic applause from the predominantly white group, and they showered him with questions, both during his presentation and as they crowded around him afterwards.

Another development in the campaign last week was the arrival of several last minute endorsements for the People's Candidates. Among these are the endorsement of the U.A.W. (United Auto and Aerospace Workers) Western Regional Director, Jerry Whipple; and the California State Package Store and Tavern Owners Association (Cal-Pac) of which Bill Boyette and Clem Daniels are members.

These endorsements for Elaine's City Council candidacy are important for they show the coalition of both labor and small business interests in support of the People's Campaign.

In the last few days of the campaign, Bobby and Elaine plan to meet personally over 10,000 Oakland residents. They have already shaken hands with over 28,000 people since the November 7th national election. They have organized a grassroots campaign, which will prove to be the thrust behind their election on April 17, the day of the People's Earthquake in Oakland.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ELAINE BROWN CANDIDATE FOR OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL

Elaine Brown is a 30-year old Black woman. She was born on March 3rd, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the Philadelphia High school for Girls, Elaine attended Philadelphia's Temple University as a pre-law student. She was raised by her mother in one of this country's worst ghettos, North Philadelphia, and grew to understand from her own experiences the plight of being Black and poor.

Moving to California in 1965 and settling in Los Angeles, Elaine Brown tried for several years to make a decent living working at many jobs, from selling books door-to-door to waiting on tables. Around 1967, she began working as a volunteer in the Jordon Downs Projects, in Watts, teaching piano to children there. From that point, Elaine's life was directed toward service to people.

Among Elaine Brown's early experiences in the then growing Black movement was to edit the Black Congress' newspaper. (The Black Congress was a local, Los Angeles umbrella organization of Black groups.) Elaine also started a newsletter for U.C.L.A.'s Black Student Union and helped form the Southern California college Black Student Alliance composed of over 20 different Southern California college Black Student Unions. Eventually, she came into contact with the Black Panther Party and joined its Southern California Chapter, in April of 1968.

Since joining the Black Panther Party, Elaine Brown has worked in Los Angeles and Oakland. She has made an album of songs, "Seize The Time", written and sung by her. This beautiful album is composed or made up of a selection of songs about the struggle of Black and poor people. Elaine's second album,"… Until We're Free", produced at the new Motown offices in Los Angeles, is soon to be released. An outspoken woman, Elaine has represented the Black Panther Party and the Black and poor communities of this country around the world. She has travelled to the People's Republic of China twice, to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of

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Vietnam, to Algeria and elsewhere around the world.

As a candidate for Oakland's City Council, all this experience will be channeled in the best interests of Oakland's Black, poor and working people, particularly. She is a candidate of and for the people, a young and strong Black woman who has never let the people down. She has chosen to run for office to represent the forgotten and over-looked needs of Black, poor and working women, not as a "women's liberation" advocate but as a Black woman who knows the special problems of our community. As Elaine has said, "Being Black, and a woman, my candidacy for Oakland City Council adds a new and needed dimension to local politics. My many different experiences, from the ghettos of Philadelphia and California, to places like Peking, China, and other world capitals and communities has left me with one particular and longlasting impression -- the oneness and beauty of all humankind. Sometime ago I committed myself to uplifting the conditions under which people live their lives and I believe we can begin now, right here in Oakland, California."

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RESIDENCY PROPOSAL IGNORED BY CITY COUNCIL

Led by a joking and glib Mayor John Reading, the Oakland City Council, on Tuesday April 3rd, refused to take action on the proposed residency requirement ordinance for city policemen and firemen. The ordinance, which would become effective one year after passage, was brought before the Council by Elaine Brown, the only woman candidate for a City Council seat in next week's municipal elections.

Not one of the Councilmen spoke in favor of or against the ordinance as an enthusiastic, packed-in audience of supporters watched and heard Elaine, and the noticeably nervous and agitated Mayor, exchange sharp words. So desirous was Reading to avoid discussion of this ordinance, that even before Elaine spoke her first words, he questioned its legality and attempted unsuccessfully to refer the matter to the City Attorney.

Pointing out that over 70% of Oakland's police and fire department employees live outside the city, Elaine stressed that the $15 million in salaries presently leaving the city for surrounding Bay Area cities could go a long way in offsetting Nixon's cutbacks

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and in saving the city's social service programs.

Elaine went on, exposing the silent condemnation of the ordinance as well as the position of the Mayor. She reminded Reading that "as the main champion of the opposition to Proposition #1 (Arbitration for police and firemen) this, indicates that you are aware of the need to have constant police availability due to the nature of the jobs…" Addressing herself to the "liberal" Councilman Sutter, Elaine continued, "I would assume that you would be in favor of this ordinance since you have championed the issue of the eucalyptus tree crisis the city of Oakland now faces, and the holocaust (eucalyptus tree fires) you yourself predicted will certainly not be effectively contained if firemen must come from 20, 30 miles away to put out the fire."

Mayor Reading for his part, could only respond with jokes and ludicrous, racist statements concerning the "great difficulty (we've had) in finding qualified minority patrolmen." When Elaine responded to this direct attack upon the community, pointing out that there was a great difference between being "qualified" and being "willing" to be on the present policeforce. Reading, arrogantly smug, tried to make light of the issue, resting back in his chair, laughing. The Council Chamber grew totally silent and then broke into thunderous applause, when Elaine responded: "I don't want to be glib or make jokes about this because I think that the lives of the people of the city of Oakland are much more serious than the glib talk that we're having here. I'm asking for serious type of discussion and if you want to be glib and make jokes, you do that on your time and not on the people's time. I'm very serious."

Eager to avoid further discussion, Reading quickly closed out the issue, referring the proposed ordinance to the City Attorney for future consideration. There, he and the others, hope the matter will die, suffocating under the weight and entanglement of bureaucratic red tape and endless delays. But this time the old tricks won't work. Within the week, Brother Bobby Seale will be the new Mayor and Elaine herself will be sitting on the Council. A people's government in Oakland is but one week away, and with that government the passage of the residency requirement ordinance, long overdue, will surely become one cornerstone in our new tomorrow.

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PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN ELECTRIFIES BLACK POLITICAL RALLY: 70 CAR CARAVAN TOURS OAKLAND COMMUNITIES

On Saturday, April 7, a 70-car caravan left the campaign headquarters of the Community Committee to Elect Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown to City Offices of Oakland at 21st and Market Streets and wove its way through the Black community of West Oakland to the Nikkole International hall in downtown Oakland. The purpose was to publicize the campaign and to transport the participants to an all-day Black Political Rally sponsored by the Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) at the club.

The cars, vans and a bus that made up the caravan were decked out in the black, green and white campaign colors of the People's Candidates, and bore posters of Bobby and Elaine. Many of the vehicles also identified the community group that their occupants represented.

Among groups represented were, the White Community Committee for Bobby and Elaine, the American Federation of Teachers, Black professionals

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for Bobby and Elaine and Senior Citizens for Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown.

As the six block long procession started out, with Bobby and Elaine's car in the lead, enthusiastic supporters aboard a huge Greyhound size campaign bus began singing and clapping out the campaign song, "April 17th, We're Gonna Let it Shine". As the huge poster bedecked bus drove through the community, people waved and shouted their support to the passing caravan.

When the Nikkole International Club was reached, the passengers poured out of the vehicles and filled the large ballroom to capacity. "Big Herm", one of the campaign managers, stood by the door paying the $1.00 entrance fee for those who didn't have it out of his own pocket so that no one would be turned away.

Close to 400 people jammed the hall, and with large banners proclaiming the support of Oakland's Black Student Unions and the Black Student Alliance (community colleges) lined the walls. Organizer, guiding light and Co-Chairperson of the BWOPA, sister Edith Austin, called the convention to order and introduced Valarie Bradley, who laid down the ground rules. Mrs. Bradley was followed by California State Senator from Los Angeles Mervyn Dymally, and Berkeley Mayor Warren Widener.

When Sister Edith Austin said that she saw Bobby Seale standing in the back of the hall, the audience turned and immediately started cheering as they caught sight of the candidate. Cries of support and spontaneous clapping gave way to chants of "We want Bobby" and rhythmic handclapping and foot-stomping. During the spontaneous demonstration for Bobby Seale, the other Black candidate for the mayor's seat stormed out of the hall unable to bear another personal defeat; as he had been given night after night, day after day.

When Georgia State Legislator Julian Bond spoke, the audience listened intently.

Elaine Brown, Oakland's next Councilwoman from District 2, was extremely well received. Her audience livened up when she came on as if electricity had suddenly flowed through the crowd. Applause filled the room again and again as Elaine drove her points across.

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Elaine introduced Bobby and the crowd went wild. The audience jumped to their feet as Bobby walked on stage and the hall thundered. An ex-supporter of the other, now-absent, Black candidate who had been left behind to distribute his lacklustre brochures, jumped up with the rest and clapped, before she realized what she was doing. As Bobby's speech clearly and analytically cut through the misconceptions others have spread about him and the people's campaign, the audience sat in complete silence listening to his words. As he outlined his proposal for a Multi-Ethnic International Cultural and Trade Center and his plans for new, quality, cooperatively owned housing, the crowd broke into applause.

When the convention was adjourned the caravan drove along E. 14th Street from one end to the other, the heart of East Oakland down to Edes Street, back to Bancroft Avenue and back downtown from Bancroft. Everyone was treated to a free meal at the Lampost Lounge on Telegraph Avenue.

On April 17th, voting day in Oakland, the people who were present at Nikkole International Club ten days before will know who to vote for, who really cares about them. Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown are the people's choice, the people's servants, the People's Candidates.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF BOBBY SEALE CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF OAKLAND

Bobby Seale was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 22, 1936. Along with the rest of his family, George Seale, his father, Thelma Seale, his mother and John and Bettye, his brother and sister, Bobby moved to the Oakland-Bay Area when he was nine years old. Ever since then, the Bay Area has been Bobby's home. He has lived in the city of Oakland since 1955.

Bobby graduated from Berkeley High School, after four years in the Air Force, by going to night classes to receive his diploma. He returned to a basically unchanged Oakland, and began to serve the people as a community organizer. Bobby has worked at many jobs: as a musician, a journeyman-aircraft sheet metal mechanic, and architectural draftsman, a non-destructive metallurgical tester and a machinist. He is also a master carpenter. All of these jobs have helped Bobby to better understand the economic plight of the people of Oakland, particularly the Black community.

In October 1966, while working in Oakland's Department of Human Resources, Bobby Seale, along with Huey P. Newton co-founded the Black Panther Party. He and Huey met while they were both students at Merritt College (now Grove Street College). Their similar ideas concerning long-over due changes in Black and poor people's condition within this country led to the development of a long and lasting relationship between the two.

Presently Bobby Seale is a candidate for Mayor of Oakland. He is defintently qualified for this most responsible of city offices. His past history in carpentry and as an architectural draftsman, have given Bobby a broad vision for future city planning. His past employment in federal poverty programs has provided him with a keen knowledge of handling and budgeting huge sums of money. But above all, it is Bobby's world-renowned dedication and committment to the people, a totally unselfish desire to see the needs of the people fulfilled and their best interests upheld which provides the basis for Bobby's qualifications for office.

As Bobby has stated in his papers filing for office: "In educating people about local government, I have stressed the fact that the electoral process can be the best method of seeing our desires realized. I have dedicated my life to the concept that all people have a right to a better life. This can be implemented through the idea that people have a right to a job, with or without a skill."

Bobby, a registered Democrat, is 36 years old, and is married to a beautiful and talented Black woman, Artie Seale. He is the father of three children, Malik, 6, Dana, 18 months and Jonathan, 6 months old.

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BOBBY DEFENDS VOTER'S RIGHTS

Oakland Mayoralty Candidate Bobby Seale last week attempted to move Oakland City Council to pass a "Pay While Voting" ordinance. The ordinance, Bobby explained, would give voters the right to have two hours off from their jobs with pay in order to vote in local elections. The City Council at the suggestion of Mayor Reading responded to the proposed ordinance referring it to the Council's civic action committee to check on its "ramifications". Reading trying to shrug off Bobby Seale's presentation commented, "We'll study it and see what can be developed."

The Councilmen sat awed as the People's Candidate read the proposed ordinance: "Every registered voter shall on the day of every general and special local election at which he is entitled to vote, be entitled to absent himself from any service or employment in which he is then engaged for two consecutive hours between the time of opening and time of closing the polls. The voter shall not, because

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of so absenting himself, be liable to any penalty, nor shall any deduction be made on account of such absence from his usual salary or wages."

While there is presently a watered down state Pay While Voting law, the next Mayor of Oakland supported the concept of a municipal city pay while voting ordinance by introducing indisputable evidence for such a proposal. In a letter to the city council urging them to place the proposed ordinance on the agenda, Bobby explained"…We have a democratic condition that encourages participation in the franchise by making it easier or more attractive. That is the principle of the pay while voting laws, and that is why such a law makes more sense for Oakland local elections than it does in the modern context for state and national elections."

Bobby emphasized at the meeting the ordinance" is very functional and necessary for the voters of the city of Oakland for a better form of government, where more of the people participate in government as registered voters because there are people who really should have the say and should have the rights and should have the means and avenues by which they can participate more in our electoral process…"

"I am not going to argue about it," Seale told the Councilmen, "But I think that it is functional, that it is practicable and I think you yourselves as Councilmen, who are presently representatives of the people here, who have been elected here should come forward and support me and join me in this ordinance for a two hours off, `Pay While Voting' ordinance for the city of Oakland."

The City Council's and Mayor Reading's lack of enthusiasm for the introduction of democratic government into Oakland will be overshadowed by the people's enthusiasm for democratic government as they landslide Bobby Seale to victory as Oakland's next Mayor and Elaine Brown as City Councilwoman.

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DISCIPLINING OF CHARLES BURSEY INHUMAN

The limits to which Vacaville prison guards will go in their efforts to dehumanize the prison inmates at this "medical facility" are beyond the imagination of civilized human beings. In their latest madness, Charles Bursey, incarcerated member of the Black panther Party, has been disciplined for inability to control one of the most natural functions of man.

Vacaville prison has two main visiting areas: the Visiting Room containing tables and chairs and machines for snacks and soft drinks, and what is called the Patio which is adjacent to the Visiting Room. The Patio is an enclosed, unroofed area with picnic tables and benches scattered about.

The Patio is by custom used primarily by prison inmates and their visiting wives or women friends. Here couples are allowed some very limited measure of intimacy, such as kissing and embracing. But, just what the limits are the prison inmates are not told.

Recently Charles Bursey and his girlfriend were visiting on the Patio when one of the guards approached them and charged the couple with being in "locked embrace". For this alledged infraction of the unposted and undefined rules, the visit was immediately terminated and the visitor ordered to leave the institution.

Not satisfied with this senseless harassment and the special penalty inflicted on Brother Bursey (since bodily embraces are the rule rather than the exception on the Patio), the disciplining officer included in his report that he and another guard "… observed Bursey's trousers to be wet on the left trouser leg adjacent to the fly area."

Thus, for being unable to control himself from reacting perfectly normally to the closeness of the human body of the opposite sex, after more than four years of forced denial, Brother Bursey received a "128 disciplinary chrono", to be added to his file, affecting his parole chances.

Such behavior on the part of the guards at Vacaville, and in prisons throughout this country, is deliberate. It's purpose is to force prison inmates to deny even their physical humaness; to become inanimate, unthinking and unemotional "things". To the prison authorities this is "rehabilitation" -- us it is murder!

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LETTER TO EDITOR: FOR SAN QUENTIN SIX

The following statement was sent to the Black Panther Party from Cuba, with the request that we pass it on to our brothers, the San Quentin Six:

Fleeta, Hugo, Luis, Willie, Johnny and David:

"Revolutionary greetings to our brothers in the racist concentration camp at San Quentin!

"We North Americans resident in Cuba, meeting in solidarity with you tonight, March 27th, 1973, in Havana, totally support you.

"Learning from your struggle, the example of George Jackson is especially close to us. The same fascist system that cut George down tries to blame you for the crimes it committed and endangers your lives. You are being subjected to the most vicious and varied forms of threats and abuses: denial of legal rights in the courtroom; beatings and other physical tortures; constant death threats; harassment of visitors and attempted intimidation of your supporters; confinement to strip cells; interference with your mail, among other things. But you have shown that nothing can stop your struggle.

"The San Quentin Six have become a symbol of the strenght that comes from unity, despite the system's constant racist attempts to divide and conquer. The example of Afro-American's and Latin American's courageously fighting together is an inspiration to us. Your collective and individual voices, whether in the form of poetry, articles or the many statements coming out of the "Adjustment Center" cannot be silenced.

"Your struggle from behind the walls is part of the struggle that will bring down the walls of oppression throughout the whole society.

"We salute you and pledge our continued support."

-- Union of North Americans Resident in Cuba

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BROTHER ARRESTED ON FALSE “WHERE -- ABOUTS” CHARGES

At approximately the same time Elaine Brown was appearing before the Oakland City Council last Tuesday evening, demanding passage of a residency requirement for Oakland policemen, James Woodland, age 22, a member of the Community Committee to Elect Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown to City Offices of Oakland was being arrested by three squadcars full of White Oakland policemen.

James was talking with two friends on "C" Street between 96th and 97th Avenues in East Oakland when a squad car pulled up suddenly and the three were manhandled and frisked, as they were being told they were in possession of marijuana. When no marijuana was found and the three denied possession of marijuana, one of the three policemen attempted to plant some on Brother James by trying to put his hand into Brother James' pocket.

Three times Brother James slapped the policeman's hand away preventing the stuff from being planted on him, which infuriated the policemen.

Instead of proceeding to the police station, the brother was driven to the back of a gas station at 98th Avenue and "C" Street, three blocks away where they parked and pointed their squad car spotlight up into the sky -- a signal for nearby squad cars to come. Brother James narrowly escaped what one of the policemen told him would be "getting his head cracked clear in two", when people from the community in a nearby park, attracted by the spotlight, encircled the car.

After the arrival of two more squad cars, Brother James was taken into custody and booked on two charges: "Being in the whereabouts of marijuana" and "Resisting arrest".

Brother James is thankful that he was released in one piece. James like the rest of us, is wondering how the police will justify their "being in the whereabouts of marijuana" charge since no marijuana was found.

More to the point, we wonder about the "whereabouts" of Oakland policemen -- do they live in and serve our communities as a local peacekeeping force or do they come from afar to harass, threaten, intimidate and brutalize, leaving their tragedies behind?

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ERICKA HUGGINS AT GAY MEETING FOR BOBBY AND ELAINE

The Gay Men's Political Action Group of Oakland is continuing in their efforts to help elect Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown to City Offices. On Thursday, March 22, representatives from the People's Campaign including Ericka Huggins, Rodrick Evans, Elbert Howard and William Roberts met with over 100 gay women and men to discuss Oakland election issues and the relationship of gay people to the campaign. Black, Latin and White people shared in an evening of poetry, films and political discussion.

The Campaign Night was sponsored by the Political Action Group; topics discussed were the Oakland city reform, prison oppression of gay people, women and Third World peoples, and the stand of the Black Panther Party on prostitution and transvestism (cross-dressing). Sister Ericka Huggins read her poetry and informed the group about current Party activities in relation to its support of the People's Candidates, Bobby and Elaine, and the work it is doing to end oppression in all segments of the community.

The Political Action Group has been working actively for the People's Campaign since January, canvassing in gay clubs and churches and publishing articles in gay newspapers and magazines. An interview with Bobby Seale, candidate for Mayor, will appear in the next issue of Vector, a gay men's magazine. The current issue of Brother will print in full the Gay Rights platform endorsed by Bobby and Elaine.

Adoption of the Gay Rights platform led to the endorsement of Bobby and Elaine by the Alice B. Toklas Memorial Democratic Club, a gay democratic group in the Bay Area. Alice B. Toklas Club, the only gay Democratic club in the world, is a member of the California Democratic Council. The women and men of the club have supported the campaigns of Shirley Chisholm, Willie Brown and George McGovern.

The election of Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown is important to gay people because they are the only candidates to support gay equality as another goal of progressive social change in Oakland. Mayor Reading and the other candidates have refused to even consider the issue or have said nothing. The Gay Men's Political Action Group realizes that only by working in a coalition with other oppressed peoples can we hope to free ourselves.

Current plans for the remainder of the campaign include more canvassing, and a Sunday picnic, (weather permitting), at Lake Temescal, located in Oakland off Highway 24 towards Walnut Creek. Anyone who wants to work with us in the last days of the campaign or who are interested in more information, please call Steve or Michael S. at 654-1578, or Alejandro at 652-0532.

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TOO POOR FOR PUBLIC HOUSING!

(Chattanooga, Tennessee) - A federal lawsuit that was recently filed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, against the Chattanooga Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers further proof of this country's total, inhuman disregard for the lives of people it doesn't consider necessary.

Mrs. Jacy Findley, a welfare mother with seven children who is forced to try to survive on $164 a month, filed the suit after her application for project housing was refused by the Chattanooga Housing Authority because she is too poor and they would not be able to charge her any rent.

A recent amendment to the federal code which regulates public housing rents lowered the scale by which tenants' rent is calculated, supposedly as a benefit to low-income families who are now in the "no-rent" category. But no more money has been allocated to subsidize the families who are not paying rent, and local Housing Authorities are encouraged to simply refuse housing to the people who need it most.

That, of course, is not hard for them to do because most of the people in need of public housing are Black and all are poor, while Housing Authorities are controlled by high-salaried racists and flunkies who are responsible to HUD, not the people. Their racism and selfishness allows them to accept the logic that a person can be legislated into poverty.

A few months ago, Mrs. Findley could have gotten housing in one of the projects for $30 a month but now, even though her income has not changed, she is "too poor". With local officials showing such passive acceptance of the Nixon administration's rapid steps toward eliminating those people it no longer considers worthy of life, we have no choice but to move toward controlling the institutions that affect our survival.

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HUNG JURY A VICTORY FOR RUCHELL MAGEE

On April 3rd, the four-month long, one million dollar murder-kidnap trial of Ruchell Magee ended in a hung jury and Ruchell's fervent and repeated demand that he was one more victim of America's racist judicial system won at least a temporary victory.

The jury deliberated eight days in an attempt to come to a decision on the case stemming from the Marin County Court movement of August 7, 1970, led by Brother Jonathan Jackson. Clearly Magee's defense efforts to convince the jury that Magee's actions were essentially motivated by a desperate bid for freedom in the face of repeated judicial and penal injustices, fell on a sympathetic and understanding ear.

Sources close to the trial told BPINS that the hung jury was a direct result of a "spite" vote. None of the jurors actually had been convinced that Magee was guilty of murder and none could substantiate a vote in favor of conviction on the murder charge. The one hold out vote simply refused to allow for the possibility that Magee would be acquitted on the murder charge.

The vote on the kidnap charge was split II to I for conviction. In this case the single vote against conviction was cast by Moses Shepherd, Black postal worker and the only juror to hold out for acquittal on both counts. Brother Shepherd reported to have said that there was much pressure on him from the other jurors to go along with the majority, but he was unconvinced of Magee's guilt.

Magee was charged with having kidnapped Superior Court Judge Harold Haley, one of the hostages, and having triggered the weapon that killed Haley. Magee maintained throughout the trial that he had no prior knowledge of the action, that he did not actively participate in removing the judge and that he simply seized the opportunity to, he hoped, walk to freedom.

Having won this limited victory Brother Ruchell now must return to San Quentin. He must return to face what will surely be the vengeful guards and prison authorities whom he has exposed during the course of his trial. His life is in danger. A continuing effort by the community in his defense against a retrial and for his parole will in some measure protect him.

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WOUNDED KNEE TRUCE A MEDIA HOAX

(Wounded Knee, S.D.) - Media claims that a major settlement has been reached at Wounded Knee are false. The agreement signed last week skirted over the heart of the matter -- review of the Treaty of 1866 which granted sovereignty to the Oglala Sioux nation. There are indications as we go to press that "White House aids" scheduled to meet with representatives of the Sioux people plan to continue to skirt over this fundamental question.

Media attempts to draw attention to the imminent withdrawal of the "occupying forces of Wounded Knee", the "surrender of arms" and the handing out of indictments beclouds the actual situation. The Oglala Sioux people are determined that the Trail of Broken Treaties must end at Wounded Knee.

Not until the White House agrees to the setting up of a Presidential treaty commission to examine the U.S.-Native American treaties will the stage be set for an altering of the situation at Wounded Knee. Whether this will involve the surrender of weapons by the inhabitants of Wounded Knee remains to be seen. Russell Means, a leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM) said immediately following the signing of the agreement last week that no arms will be surrendered at Wounded Knee until "they (federal officials) prove to us that they are negotiating in good faith."

BPINS sources at Rapid City emphasize that the shootings that occur regularly throughout the night are a result of the efforts of Federal Marshals, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) police, FBI agents and some renegade tribesmen under the influence of the puppet tribal chairman Richard Wilson,

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to prevent loyal Oglala Sioux tribesmen and friends from getting food, medicine and other needed supplies into Wounded Knee at night.

Our sources point out that despite the restraining order requiring Federal Marshals to permit the passage of food, medicine and supplies, Wilson's roadblocks continue to be successful in blocking the entry of supplies over normal routes during the day. As a result the people in Wounded Knee are receiving the barest minimum of their requirements, such as powdered milk, baby food and meager amounts of medicine.

Last week the Crazy Horse Collective was established at Rapid City, S.D., to provide a mechanism through which Native Americans of other tribes, together with concerned Americans, could actively participate in defense of the demands of the Oglala Sioux nation and Native Americans in general. A primary objective of the Crazy Horse Collective is to carry the struggle of Native Americans into communities throughout the country and rally the support of the whole American people behind Native Americans.

Joe Bangert, a spokesman for the Crazy Horse Collective, told BPINS by phone from Rapid City last week, that efforts are being made to encourage committed organizations of Black Americans, Latinos and poor and oppressed White Americans to send one representative each to Rapid City to join and work with the Crazy Horse Collective.

Joe Bangert also reports that the Crazy Horse Collective has been condemned by ranchers in the vicinity supporting the BIA puppet Wilson and that the home of one of its leaders, Aron DeSersa, a Black Elk Native American, was fired upon last week by Wilson supporters.

The Collective has established a fund to aid the Oglala Sioux struggle and is asking for donations to be sent to the Crazy Horse Collective, c/o The United National Bank of Rapid City, 14 Saint Joe Street, Rapid City, S.D., 57701.

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CESAR CHAVEZ DUE IN OAKLAND FOR CAMPAIGN

Cesar Chavez, director of the United Farm Workers Union will appear in Oakland, Sunday, April 15, to campaign for Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown who are running for Oakland City Offices.

Chavez will give a sermon at the 11:00 a.m. Mass in St. Louis Bertrand's Church on 100th Ave. and East 14th Street. After the mass a "People's Reception" will be held in the church hall in support of the Farm Workers struggle.

Cesar Chavez announced the Board of Directors decision: "We support Bobby Seale's program to provide community information centers to insure that the people of Oakland are aware of their rights and the programs which government can help as well as community organizations can provide. Bobby Seale's campaign… as well as Elaine Brown's, seek to help our people and, through the political process, achieve non-violent social change. We support their efforts and urge all registered voters of Oakland to support them on April 17th."

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INTERCOMMUNAL NEWS: INNOCENT BROTHERS HELD FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS GOLF CLUB MURDERS

(St. Thomas, Virgin Islands) - On April 16, five Black native Virgin Islanders will appear in court for a preliminary hearing. They were accused of the Fountain Valley golf course murder of eight White persons last year. The five young men were indiscriminately picked up and charged with this crime despite the absence of any evidence connecting them with the murders.

Eyewitnesses to the slayings have said these are not the men who committed the slayings at a lineup conducted by the FBI at Fort Christian. They also stated, following a voice detection test, that the voices of the five men being held are not the voices of those who committed the slayings.

Despite this, the government of the Virgin Islands, in cooperation with the U.S. FBI, is pressing forward with its plans to use these five young men as scapegoats to appease White anger at the slayings. Conscious of the fact that a case against the five brothers is non-existent, the trial is slated to open on May 1st in St. Croix, on the same day that native residents and inhabitants will be away at St. Thomas for the annual 1st of May Carnival.

In a statement issued by the Virgin Island Five Defense Fund, the nature of the frameup is made clear: "We are all aware of the underhanded methods used by the FBI against Blacks, Puerto Ricans, Indians, Mexicans and other minority groups in the United States and around the world. So we cannot expect them to be different with Blacks in these islands. We must allow them to take the lives of five of our people as a human sacrifice, because if they are allowed to railroad these men, that is exactly what it would be, a human sacrifice."

In an appeal that has reached BPINS from one of the five brothers being held at Fort Christian prison, Ishmeali La Beet, further evidence is provided proving the five are victims of a frameup. La Beet writes:

"I want to make it public that the Attorney General and Sacks (apparently a prison official) have been trying to make deals with us. They know they are wrong to hold us in the first place, and now they are trying to keep us locked up by means of trickery and deception…The offer that was sent to us is this: if each of us plead guilty to one count of murder and one count of robbery, we will be sentenced to life, but could be paroled in 10 years.

"When we refused, another deal was offered. This one was the same except that we would be sent to the mainland and they would release us in five years, but we could not return to the Virgin Islands before 10 years. This time the offer was not to include me, Ishmeali La Beet. Of course we sent back a final answer, telling Ronald Tonkin and Sacks where they could stick their offers."

For the holidaying and partying Black Americans who call the Virgin Islands "their paradise", Brother La Beet has an eloquent warning which we fully support:

"And for the people who are just standing by and watching everything go on, who feel that they do not have to do anything. I hope that they know that if in the future their children become victims or they themselves, they, in fact, brought the wrath upon themselves by closing their eyes and ears to wrong and injustice."

Individuals or groups wishing information about the Virgin Island Five, or who wish to contribute to their defense should write: The Virgin Island Five Defense Fund, c/o Asia La Beet, P.O. Box 2088, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

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PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE

WORK -- FOR -- WELFARE A
FAILURE

A California legislative study has criticized Governor Ronald Reagan's work-for-welfare plan as a failure and said it is not being administered legally. The report, released last week by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, criticized the state's Department of Human Resources Development agency as having ignored the stated objectives of the program: that the community service welfare jobs provide "a valuable work experience". Instead, the report said 91% of the jobs are menial or "janitorial in nature" including such dangerous tasks as picking up litter along highways, and that the jobs are being used to harass welfare recipients.

U.S. SABOTAGE CHILE
ELECTIONS

As a result of the recent hearings in Washington, D.C., regarding International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) attempts to sabotage the 1970 election of Chilian President Salvador Allende, the current U.S.- Chile talks have been broken off by Chile. One particular disclosure, that the National Security Council allocated $400,000 for propaganda action against Allende during the 1970 campaign, is said to have convinced Allende of the U.S. government's role in the attempted sabotage.

POW: NIXON POLICY "EVIL"

Gary Daves, a civilian POW held by the North Vietnamese for 4 1/2 years, has expressed severe criticism of Nixon's handling of the war. In a press conference held at the Oakland Naval Hospital, Daves, now 30, remarked: "Our policies in Vietnam have been based on the premise of arrogance. Our executives, in the name of the American people, have assumed the right of life or death over countless people in Indochina. Our assumption of that right is derived from our power. I say that is evil."

MEAT BOYCOTT EFFECTIVE

The country-wide meat boycott is showing definite effects in lowered meat sales, but prices on meat products have remained firm. The National Association of Retail Grocers, making spot checks since the boycott began on April 1st, has found that country-wide meat sales are down 40% and 70% at meat packing houses. The boycott however, has not yet succeeded in its goal of cutting beef prices, which so far have remained unchanged.

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A CITIZEN'S PEACE FORCE -- A PROPOSAL

BY HUEY P. NEWTON

PART THREE

John C. Meyer, Jr., writing in the magazine Police Chief, speculates that the increased use of drugs will eventually aid the police. Not only will antisocial types be given regular doses but the police themselves, those who work in "some sections" of the city, will be drugged in order to make them "more aware of physical danger".

The ties between the Central Intelligence Agency and the Rand Corporation and its imitators are of long standing. While CIA penetration operatives infiltrate local law enforcement at the personnel level, the government funded think tanks ideologize the world-view or "mind set" of our domestic government and law enforcement. The domestic G.I.'s of the future, the Blue Machine, will be given drugs and otherwise narcotized by their own government. This is at home; abroad, drugged apes will fight small land wars supported by the techno - chemical death machines. Apes! Of course the "research institutes" will deny this just as they denied their contingency planning for biocide and genocide in Vietnam.

And in California's wired society, a Dr. William W. Herrmann, a "counterinsurgency specialist" for the System Development Corporation, told the Los Angeles Times that a good computer intelligence system would "seperate out the…activists bent on destroying the system" and then develop a master plan "to win the hearts and minds of the people."

CALIFORNIA OR SOUTHEAST ASIA?

Under the Nixon administration the Justice Department, the Supreme Court and the intelligence establishment have been driven hard to the Right. LEAA is now the creature of this new realignment of powers.

In the Justice Department Mitchell, Kleindeist, Rehnquist, the witch-hunter Robert Mardian, Jervis Leonard, head of the "Panther division" and, before he was fired for corruption. Will Wilson all took part in transforming the LEAA from Ramsey Clark's rather liberal legal bureaucratic conglomerate to a hard-lining activist, ideologically committed juggernaut fast equipping itself to root out the "bad apples" that Mr. Agnew has described for us on so many occasions. The Justice Department has enjoyed a massive increase of power during the first four years of the Nixon administration.

The Supreme Court is being systematically packed despite the defeat of Carswell and Haynesworth. William Rehnquist was a key strategist for the Nixon administration in the congressional battles over the "no knock" and electronic surveillance issues. Now he sits on the high court passing on the constitutionality of "no knock" and "preventative detention" and secret police methods of all kinds: on the constitutionality of LEAA itself.

The basic structure of a police-military-academic-industrial complex is already built and this complex is growing rapidly. The Federal Government gives central direction and finances it out of tax dollars, business provides products for a growing and profitable market, and the universities contribute brainpower and knowledge.

LEAA is preparing the way to an efficient national police network by streamlining and standardizing all aspects of police operations from recruitment and selection procedures and training curricula to intelligence, communications and crime reporting systems, to equipment and weapons acquisition. This means transforming 40,000 poorly funded, untrained and undisciplined police departments into a force that is well-trained, well disciplined and well-equipped with the latest technological breakthroughs, many of which were developed and tested by the Army for counterinsurgency warfare in Vietnam.

Big city police departments, thanks in large part to the massive infusion of federal funds, are already looking like big business. New York City's police budget is $360,000,000 and Chicago's is over $90,000,000. Both departments are large enough to be listed among Fortune magazine's list of the 500 largest American corporations.

The stakes are very high. The Pentagon's war budget beggars the entire budget of any other country. $82 billion on the war systems; health and welfare - $5 billion; housing - $2 billion and so on down. The Pentagon, besides the fantastic C.I.A. infiltration of the government, maintains one public relations man for every Congressman.

TO BE CONTINUED

-- 12 --

A NEW IMPORTANT BOOK: REVOLUTIONARY SUICIDE HUEY P. NEWTON

Huey P. Newton's story is at once unique and universal in its interpretation of the Black experience. It is the story of an American journey, a journey toward a new American revolution. The reader of this graceful, moving and eloquent document will understand that the author does not speak lightly when he says, "We will touch God's heart; we will touch the people's heart, and together we will move the mountain."

Published by:
HARCOURT BRACE
JOVANOVICH, INC. $8.95

A Book-of-the-Month Club Alternate

(Soon in paperback)

At Your bookstore

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BPINS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service (BPINS) would like your help. What we need are people who know any of the following areas of newspaper related skills:

TYPING

TYPESETTING

PROOF-READING

LAYOUT

EDITING

PHOTOGRAPHY

FILING

If you are interested in placing your talents in service to the people, please contact the BPINS office at 8501 E. 14th Street, Oakland, Calif. 94621 or call (415) 638-0195.

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BOBBY SEALE VS THE “MEAN MACHINE”

TO: THE BLACK COMMUNITY
RE: THE "MEAN MACHINE"

Why are we helping the machine destroy our great Black hope-Bobby Seale? Here is a man that is getting to the real issues in our community. He has proven to the people that he is for the people; he has implemented programs that are benefitting the minority communities.

Brothers and sisters the mare presence of fear promises failure. The only thing that eliminates that fear is knowledge. Bobby Seale is a man that is most knowledgeable of the conditions and problems in Oakland today; he lacks the fear that most Black people have when they are elected to a position where they can be of service to the minority community. Bobby Seale has the knowledge and the courage; he doesn't mind being fired from a job or position for giving correct information to the people.

If you are one of those people like our honorable May or Reading who doesn't want to know the truth if it has to come from Bobby Seale, I beg you please try something different for a change; get to know our candidate Bobby Seale for yourself and find out what makes him tick. You may help save the HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE OF YOUR CHILD AND MINE!

For once, we have a winner! We can put Bobby Seale in the Mayor's seat. You who feel that you are exempt from American institutionalized racism-Black leaders, liberal Democrats, and Republicans alike-let us wipe out the machine. Elect Bobby Seale for Mayor of Oakland and Elaine Brown for City Council.

The machine tells us that we can not win; it tells our little boy that he'll never make pro; it tells our little girl that she will never be Miss America. Now its telling you and me, don't change with time, go back, recapture that slave mind. It tells us look back! Forget the facts on hand today. Look at what Bobby Seale was yesterday; forget all of the good that he is doing in your community now. Put a little more oil in the machine.

But I say Black man, Black woman, boy or girl, yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissory note. Right now is legal tenure and only today is negotiable.

Brothers and sisters it is a "mean machine". Let us stop oiling it and tightening up the screws. Let us get together and stay together. When we sell out to the machine, we don't only sell ourselves, we sell our children and our children's children. We are somebody. Don't sell out. Stand up and be counted. Vote Bobby Seale for Mayor and Elaine Brown for City Councilwoman!!

An Oakland citizen
Ms. Alest Anthony

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VOTE “NO” ON MEASURES 1 AND 2

Measure #1-Arbitration for Policemen and Firemen.

This measure, if approved, would change the City Charter to provide for arbitration between the City and the police and fire departments. If it is not approved, the present situation will remain in effect and the City Council will continue to have the final determination on matters under discussion or in dispute. Oakland's police and firemen are already among the highest paid in the country; 41% of the current City Budget is allocated to Public Safety procedures of which the police and fire departments take a giant share. Further, this measure leads to the possibility that an outside arbitrator, one who although independent is also out of touch with local issues might enter negotiations, with limited understanding of the over-all situation. In addition, realizing that 70% of Oakland's firemen and policemen live outside city boundaries, this raises that possibility of unnecessary and unwarranted strikes and work stoppages by non-Oakland residents, people who care little in regard to our communities. Vote "NO" on Measure #1.

Measure #2 - Increase the Mayor's annual salary to $15,000.

Passage of this measure will increase the Mayor of Oakland's annual salary 100% -- from $7,500 to $15,000. Its defeat will keep the Mayor's salary at its present level. This added city expenditure is unnecessary. Not only does it raise the possibility of further tax increases, it is simply an unjustified and needless expense for the city to pay; particularly now, in this time of federal funding cutbacks and the dire need of many of our local social service programs. we urge all Oakland voters to vote "NO" on Measure #2.

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ROBERT WELLS TRANSFERRED TO VACAVILLE

Wesley Robert Wells, a long time prison inmate of the state of California's unjust court-penal system, has been transferred from San Quentin to the Vacaville prison medical facility. The purpose of this transfer is to subject Brother Wells to a "Stress" study and to treat his general poor health resulting from San Quentin neglect. "Stress" is a program designed to determine whether or not a prison inmate can endure the stress and strain of everyday civilian life in the oppressive conditions of this country.

Brother Bob Wells is 63 years old. He has been in prison all of his adult life. The California penal system has subjected him to countless different cruel and inhumane pressures throughout the 45 years he has been in their custody. Now they wish to see how much more he can endure. This move is taken allegedly to determine if he can be released to the outside world on parole.

At the age of 63, Brother Wells is still being punished by the California Adult Authority for the "possession of stolen goods" at the age of 19. How much more this "senior citizen" will have to bear before his death is to be determined by the Adult Authority, California's parole board. In the words of Brother Wells: "no artificial torture chamber…could evoke the horror, frustration and despair I experience at the heartlessness of the Adult Authority". We demand the immediate release of Robert Wells. He has paid, with his freedom, 100 times over for whatever "crime" he committed 45 years ago.

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