American Chronicle has published my piece by that name. In the article I argue that the Democratic members of congress are destined to disappoint those who voted for the US to get out of Iraq, and how a Green approach might be much different. If you care to read it, the link is below.

Gregg Jocoy

The Song Remains the Same: American Chronicle

From serving as home to Modjeska Montheith Simkins, a South Carolina civil rights pioneer, to serving today as the home of the state’s pre-eminent center for justice, ethics and human rights, the Modjeska Simkins home on Marion Street has served as one of our state’s hot beds of hope.

Now that building, where the SC Greens and the Midlands Greens meet, is under attack. A local business person wants the building torn down.

We Greens must take a stand for herstory. How many homes in South Carolina represent such an important part of our past? From civil rights to African American empowerment to feminist thinking, this building has stood against the tide of oppression and repression that is South Carolina Politics.

Won’t you come to the press conference they are holding tomorrow in Columbia if you can? Won’t you take a moment to sign the petition of support at www.petitiononline.com/Simkins/petition.html ? Leave a message there if you can do more. Forward this to folks you know, people who care about justice, ethics, human rights and herstory. And of course, read the comments below and act as you are moved. Remember, si, se puede. Yes, we can!

Gregg

Collaborative for Community Trust
Modjeska Monteith Simkins Center for Justice, Ethics
and Human Rights
2025 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201
M-803-960-2079 allsimkins@yahoo.com

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Catherine Fleming Bruce, 803-960-2079

SIMKINS CENTER CIVIL RIGHTS SITE BUILDING
TARGETED FOR DEMOLITION
Modjeska Simkins Center holds press conference
urging immediate community donations to save threatened building

In today’s Columbia City Council hearing regarding the downtown business improvement district, an effort was made to mark for demolition one of the buildings of the Modjeska Monteith Simkins Center for Justice, Ethics and Human Rights, located in downtown Columbia. A nearby business owner submitted photos of the Simkins building to City officials, claiming that the building is a fire hazard, having been vacant for some time, and requesting its demolition.

In response to this threat, Catherine Fleming Bruce, director of the Collaborative for Community Trust, which operates the Modjeska Simkins Center, will hold a press conference on Thursday morning, December 14, 2006 at 11am at the Simkins Center (2025 Marion Street). She will discuss the significance of both buildings to local and national civil rights history. She will put out an urgent call to the public asking for immediate donations to ensure that the building is saved and to support the maintenance and operation of both structures.

The Modjeska Simkins Center is the only historic site in Columbia, and one of only three in South Carolina listed on the “We Shall Overcome”, the National Park Service website of American Civil Rights Sites. The Simkins Center, located 2025 Marion Street in Columbia, was the residence of Civil Rights activist Modjeska Simkins, a contemporary of Septima Clark and Rosa Parks. For information, contact Catherine Fleming Bruce at 803/960-2079.