Reflections on IAF Organizing Universals from BUILD’s Leader Accountability Action — June 6, 2018
“Not by power, nor by might, but by my spirit,” says the Lord
—Zachariah 4:6
As the Holy Spirit empowered the people of Jerusalem to rebuild in the days of Zachariah, we believe the Holy Spirit can empower the people of Baltimore to rebuild the city, one brick at a time.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, Zerubabbel, a leader of the Jewish people, used his hands to pick up stones out of rubble. Other people followed his lead, and they, too, got their hands dirty as they picked up stones to lay a foundation. Thus began the process of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.
Pastor Michael Phillips used this scene from the Hebrew Scriptures to call us to action at Kingdom Life Church on June 6. God gives us the power of his Spirit, and we are called to take action using the power we have been given.
In June, we reported on the results of our June 6 Leader Accountability Assembly. For details of the assembly and to read about Mayor Pugh’s commitments, click here.
Today, we will reflect on the universal principles of organizing that we saw in action on June 6.
UNIVERSAL #1: Broad-based organizing demonstrates the power of organized people
On June 6, over 1,100 people from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, and belief systems gathered in a church sanctuary. New BUILD member institutions Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Patrick’s Catholic Churches from South Baltimore turned out en masse. Together, Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s brought over 500 people, most of them immigrants, who stood together and were recognized and supported by all in attendance.
This recognition of the power we have in our numbers, demonstrating both unity and diversity, is why we do roll call at all of our actions.
UNIVERSAL #2: Research, preparation, and action
The purpose of the action was to reset BUILD’s public relationship with Mayor Pugh and publicly state our demands to reduce the violence in Baltimore.
Over the past several months, our issue action teams have researched and developed their top priorities for reducing violence in the city, focusing on issues in the areas of policing & public safety, mental health & addiction, youth opportunities & education, and jobs. The teams’ research was supported by data from BUILD’s 2017 listening campaign of 1,034 residents across Baltimore City. Our teams have developed clearly defined goals and demands of our city’s leaders, including Mayor Pugh.
In the weeks preceding the accountability assembly, BUILD leaders met with Mayor Pugh to define our relationship, clarify our expectations, and agree on a format for the assembly. She changed her schedule in order to attend the action.
On June 6, Mayor Pugh sat in the front row as community leaders—both youth and adults—told their stories and demanded that she fulfill her commitments to:
- End the culture of corruption in the Baltimore Police Department and increase foot posts;
- Implement a parish ID system to protect the immigrant community of Baltimore;
- Champion Kirwan Commission recommendations to fully fund Baltimore City schools, ensure the presence of mental health professionals in schools (social workers and counselors), and maintain current levels of out-of-school and community school funding in the budget for the duration of her administration;
- Work with BUILD and corporate leaders to increase employment for those ready and able to work.
At the accountability assembly, the discipline and preparation of BUILD’s leaders were on display.
UNIVERSAL #3: In action, we must personalize
Youth leaders from City Springs Elementary/Middle School and Hampstead Hill Academy eloquently and forcefully spoke of kids as young as 10 and 11 writing wills in fear of losing their lives to violence. One young man shared that every day he looks out his school windows and sees the place where Ray Glasgow III, a former student at City Springs, was killed. “I don’t want to be another Ray,” he said.
Antoinette Mugar, Vice President of Harlem Park West Community Association, spoke of being burglarized twice in the last month and being ready to leave the community in which she has resided her whole life. Donald Medley, Turnaround Tuesday leader and Community Health Worker at Johns Hopkins Hospital, countered the myth that Baltimore City doesn’t want to work and celebrated the 500+ people placed in career jobs through Turnaround Tuesday.
Ever Castillo—speaking in both Spanish and English—shared the heartbreaking story of his experience being targeted by criminals who laughed in his face when he called the police because he isn’t a “real American” and would be ignored. When police finally arrived, they spoke to the perpetrators first. Later, Ever’s family was attacked with box cutters and knives. Ever asked Mayor Pugh if she would commit to work with the immigrant community to help them feel safe to call the police and request help.
Through personal stories, BUILD leaders from across the city of all ages spoke truth to power. The issues we address are personal, and they affect the lives of real people in our city. Additionally, BUILD further personalized the issues by calling on specific people in power to act. BUILD didn’t call on the city; instead, we called on Mayor Catherine Pugh personally to act on issues.
UNIVERSAL #4: Recognition
UNIVERSAL #5: Organize the power needed to get to the table
BUILD successfully gained recognition from the mayor, recognized her in return, and received the public commitments we sought. By organizing the power to get to the table, BUILD won the agreement that had been developed by our issue action teams—the deal that was based on our 1,034 conversations with city residents about the violence in Baltimore.
Now, it is our job to keep our end of the deal and to hold Mayor Pugh accountable to her end. Later this month, we will meet with Mayor Pugh again to hear her progress report on the commitments she made at our June 6 assembly.
To catch up on the details of the June 6 assembly and to learn about Mayor Pugh’s specific commitments, check out our report of the assembly here.