Former political prisoners and other movement elders are not covered by a
retirement plan for their political work. We are making this appeal in the hope of
raising enough money to assist former New Afrikan Political Prisoner
Kazi Toure to meet basic living expenses.
Dontae: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-former-political-prisoner-kazi-toure
Kazi Toure, formerly known as Chris King, is 72 years old. He was born on
the Eastern Shore of Maryland and grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he experienced first-hand the racism and white supremacy prevalent throughout the United States. In August 1969, he moved to Oakland, California, where he attended Laney College and got involved with the Black Panther Party. By the late 1970s, Kazi had moved to the Boston, Massachusetts area. He became involved in organizations fighting school segregation in Boston and the openly racist attacks inflicted on the Black community there. Kazi helped organize community self-defense efforts. Part of his work included linking up U.S. domestic apartheid with solidarity struggles to end South African apartheid. Kazi was one of the main organizers of the 1978 Amandla concert, which brought Bob Marley and others to perform in Boston.
In 1982 Kazi was arrested after a racist traffic stop which, according to the
police, was predicated upon the fact that “he wasn’t used to seeing Black people in that rest area.” According to the police, the car’s other occupant fired shots before running off. Although no one was hurt except for Kazi, who was beaten twice while handcuffed, he was charged with attempted murder and imprisoned. In 1986, while still in prison, Kazi became the first New Afrikan in the country convicted for seditious conspiracy alleging he was a member of an underground group responsible for actions against US corporations supporting South African apartheid. He received an additional seven years in prison.
Following Kazi’s release on October 1, 1991, he continued his political
work. Kazi was recruited by Safiya Bukhari and Herman Ferguson to act as one of
the coordinators of the Jericho movement to free political prisoners. He continues that work today.
Kazi survives on social security/disability benefits. After paying rent
and other necessities, he is left with less than $300 per month for food, utilities and different basic needs. He also suffers from a variety of health issues.
The money raised through this appeal will supplement the social security benefits and assist in purchasing essential items. Won’t you help this former political prisoner? No donation is too small.
Tanaquil Jones
Dhoruba Bin Wahad
Bob Boyle
TJ Whitaker
Bilal Hakeem