WHEREAS, the Black and White Reunion was organized in 1996 in response to the death of black businessman, Jonny Gammage, who was killed by police in a “routine traffic stop”, an incident that galvanized the African American and parts of the white community as no other issue had done since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s ; and,
WHEREAS, the Black and White Reunion had a vision to rekindle the spirit of the 1960s, to bring together a “reunion” of black and white people in a collaborative spirit to address the race and class inequality and divisions in our society ; and,
WHEREAS, the Black and White Reunion under the direction of Tim Stevens, grew over the years to include black and white, like-minded citizens and community leaders in the region who, in addition to coordinating the annual Summit Against Racism, provided education, advocacy and direct leadership for many campaigns and programs in support of racial justice and reconciliation in the region; and,
WHEREAS, the Black and White Reunion raises funds for the Jonny Gammage Scholarship, which is awarded annually to local college law students, and the Mural Bridge Project which uses art to promote racial understanding amongst black and white people of different ages and backgrounds; and,
WHEREAS, the 10th Annual Summit Against Racism will take place on January 26, 2008, and whose theme, The Power of One: A Commitment to Individual and Collective Action” will focus on police brutality, racial profiling, the criminal justice system's response to them, how to harness grassroots outrage to effect social reform and youth participation ; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the Black and White Reunion for their efforts to promote racial harmony amongst the people of Pittsburgh and acknowledges the Summit on Racism that allows people to educate themselves to the issues presented by racism, to explore creative and effective ways to af...
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