The FBI vs Coretta Scott King

Apparently the FBI was very concerned that Ms. King would become active in the peace movement following her husband’s death. No wonder certain people are pushing for the death of the Freedom of Information Act! This article contains links directly to some of the documents.

Here’s one particularly creepy note which is consistent with a great many anecdotes, documented and reported to me by individuals including my parents, involving Cointelpro.

But perhaps the most disturbing single document in the Scott King file is a March 1969 report from the FBI’s Atlanta office to Hoover. The subject was the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, MLK’s No. 2 man, and the then-new president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the spearhead organization for the civil rights movement. In the report the FBI details an uncertain and “shaky” Abernathy who was “concerned about his possible assassination as well as his position as President of the SCLC…” So the agent makes a recommendation: “It is felt that by notifying Abernathy directly upon receipt of information relating to threats against his life, some rapport may be developed with him…” The report also adds that doing this would give the benefit of “the disruptive effect of confusing and worrying him by reminding him of continuous threats against his life.”

Of course, they’re above that sort of thing now, right?

Photo source is the NY Times.

Olive Branch?

From the grapevine: Mateel Board Member Bob Stern reportedly encountered Tom Dimmick while waiting in line to purchase entry into yesterday’s Hospice BBQ. According to the report, Bob purchased an extra ticket and offered it to Tom. The offer was graciously accepted.

….

Meanwhile, somebody posted in a thread below reporting on the Wikipedia entry for Reggae Rising. As reported, the entry does indeed name the Mateel as the owner of the event. I suspect the error will be corrected in short order.

Reggae Rising, called Reggae on the River until 2007, is a major reggae music festival in Humboldt County, California which takes place annually on the first weekend in August. Some 14,000 people attended the 2006 festival, making it one of the largest Reggae festivals in North America. It is owned by the Mateel Community Center and has been produced by People’s Productions.

….

I was part of a discussion this evening in which an upcoming Mateel Forever event came up.

Saturday, September 29th MCC presents

The 3rd annual Humboldt Hills Bluegrass & Beyond

Where: Southern Humboldt Community Park
Featuring:David Grisman Quintet, Peter Rowan & The Free Mexican Airforce, Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands & many more TBA.
Plus workshops, vendors, jamming opportunities, stuff for the kids, and food by local non-profits.

$40 MCC members/ $42 adv./ $45 at the gate

What happened to “The Hoe Down?” Did the Mateel change the name as a concession to our own community’s manifestations of cultural bigotry? Was the decision a matter of politics?

Inquiring minds want to know.

….

Addendum: Anna Hamilton apologizes for the timing of her letter to the Eureka Reporter.