An evening to mark the 30th Anniversary of the New Cross Fire at The Albany Theatre Deptford South London 14/1/10
On Sunday January 18, 1981 a devastating house fire killed 13 young black people during a birthday party in New Cross, South East London. The black community accused the London Metropolitan Police of covering up the cause, which they suspected was an arson attack motivated by racism. The protests arising out of the fire led to a mobilization of black political activity, but nobody has ever been charged in relation to the fire.
Kwame Kwei-Armah hosts this event to mark the 30th Anniversary of the New Cross Fire incorporating music, film, spoken word and discussion to remember the young lives lost and the impact the New Cross Fire has had on the lives of Britons today.
The event hopes to be an inspiring and uplifting remembrance with contributions from Alex Pascall OBE, Professor Gus John, Film Maker Menelik Shabazz, spoken word from Courttia Newland, El Crisis and Albany Associate Artist Zena Edwards and music from The Queens of Lovers Rock Carroll Thompson and Janet Kay.
DATES & TIMES:Friday 14 January TICKETS:£10 CONCESSIONS:£7 Tickets and more info here
Found on the excellent South London blog Transpontine
Code Name "Zorro" is a book by Mark Lane & Dick Gregory recently found in a 2nd hand bookshop. It is mixture of scholoraly and methodical look at the Assassinaion of Martin Luther King Jr. by Mark Lane; and a sensitive and personal discussion of the life and career of the Nobel Prize winning Minister by Dick Gregory.
1968 King Assassination Report Walter Cronkite (CBS News)
The Code Name "Zorro" was first published in 1977 in preperasion of a Congressional Hearing to investigate the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy. It raises several fascinating questions some are:
* Why was Dr.Kings Police protection removed on the day of the assassination? - and by who?
* Why was the same FBI squad which originally assigned to "destroy" King (whom the code-named "Zorro") also directed to investigate his murder?
* What did the ballistics test reveal - or fail to reveal about the alleged murder weapon?
In what strange way has the most reliable witness been prevented forever, from testifying in court?
* To what documented lengths did certain FBI men go to threaten King and suggest that he commit suicide rather than accept the Nobel Peace Prize?
* What of the mysterious "Raoul" who Ray claims masterminded and financed his movements before the murder?
Some of the answers feature in the Book and are discussed in the film lecture below.
Mark Lane with President J.F.K
Mark Lane is a U.S attorney, anti-war/Civil Rights activist opposed segregation as a Freedom Rider, and has founded many investigative organizations representing Native Americans, Vietnam Vetertans and questioning the official findings of the Warren Commission (J.F.K. Assassination investigation) amonst many others. His #1 selling book "Rush To Judgement" was one of the first books to question the findings of the Warren Commission.
Plausible Denial by Mark Lane
Promo shot in the 60's
Dick Gregory is a Comedian, Civil Rights Worker, Author and Political Activist. He was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and often performed comedy before Dr. M.L.K. Jr. spoke to crowds around the Southern states. He has been arrested many times in protests, is a raw fruit and vegetable diet advocate, amonst other accolades.
