Acclaimed Poet Sonia Sanchez Lends Voice To Tonight's #BlackLivesMatter Rally To Action In Philly

Dec. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez joins POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness,Empower, and Rebuild) tonight, Wednesday (12/10) at 7pm, at New Vision United Methodist Church located at 3259 North Broad Street in Philadelphia for "Strange Fruit: The Seven Last Words of Seven Black Lives." In addition to poetry, the rally to action will feature seven sermons or readings and speeches presented by young student activists and preachers from POWER. The ministers and speakers will each present five minute messages derived from the seven last words uttered by people of color killed by the police or vigilantes. The oral presentations will include: "It's not real," the last words spoken by 22 year old John Crawford in August before he was gunned down holding a toy gun inside an Ohio Wal-Mart; also "I can't breathe," the last words spoken by 43 year old Eric Garner in New York while police held him in a choke-hold; and "I don't have a gun, stop shooting," spoken by 18 year old Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

'Seven Last Words' services are a Christian tradition where congregations use Good Friday to recall the seven last words of Jesus Christ before he died on Calvary. Wednesday's event is modeled after the Holy Week service and is designed to provide a space for a hurting community to come together for healing, understanding, and encouragement. It is also a call to action in taking the next steps toward fighting for justice and against institutionalized racism.

For more information about "Strange Fruit: The Seven Last Words of Seven Black Lives" rally and call to action tonight, Wednesday December 10th at 7pm, at New Vision United Methodist Church go to http://www.powerphiladelphia.org. All media inquiries should be directed to Leslie Patterson-Tyler by calling (609) 247-2632 or email Leslie@TylerMadePR.com.

About POWER

POWER represents clergy leaders and people of faith from congregations across the Philadelphia region, bringing people together across the lines of race, religion, income level and neighborhood -- lines which have historically kept our city and state divided.  POWER is committed to the work of bringing about justice here and now and seeks to exercise power in the public arena by strengthening and mobilizing our networks, so that the needs and priorities of all Philadelphians are reflected in the systems and policies that shape our city.  POWER is nonpartisan and is not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party.  We do not endorse or support candidates for office. Learn more at www.powerphiladelphia.org.