Written by Raiana Kelly, AADM Contributing Writer
As the year 2019 comes to a close and we anticipate the new decade, it’s a great time to review some of what Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) has been up to during 2019.
AADM kicked off the year by supporting the annual MLK Day Parade and Music Festival alongside the United Group of Artists and Music Association. The MLK Day Parade was designed to stimulate culture and diversity, improve race relations, and encourage local residents to stand in solidarity to celebrate justice and equality for all. If you missed it in 2019, don’t miss your chance to attend in 2020! If you want to participate in MLK Parade and Music Fest Cick here to register. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/athens-mlk-day-parade-and-music-festival-2020-tickets-78599504233
In February, to celebrate Black History Month, AADM launched a seven-city tour called She Struts for Justice. This tour brought awareness to the social injustices that affect the black and brown community, women, and girls. She Struts for Justice is a movement and fashion show that empowers women to use their voices and get involved through the power of personal expression and the representation of different eras of awakening from the Black Panther Movement to hip-hop activism.
The Books & Bailout campaign, started in 2018, also saw success for 2019. The Books & Bailout campaign also addressed adult literacy by collecting and donating books to inmates in selected jails, juvenile detention centers, and women’s shelters.
The Teen Social Justice (TSJ) after-school club is officially active in Clarke Middle schools and available once a month at Athens Clarke County Library. The TSJ after-school club is part of AADM’s broader initiative that aims to end the school-to-prison pipeline in the ACC school district. The TSJ program is made up of three parts: an after school program, community service opportunities and apprenticeships, and advocating at the school level for policy changes that reduce the number of students that are referred to the juvenile justice system through school.
Previously known as the Athens Black Market, the Swadeshi Black Market & Co-Op was started by AADM to reduce the oppression of poverty by offering women and minority business owners a place to sell products and promote their business. Much like the original Swadeshi movement in India, the vendors participating in the Swadeshi Black Market & Co-Op are working together under a cooperative model to meet their common needs. The market is part of AADM’s goal to increase and promote black and minority business ownership, stimulate economic development through cooperation between businesses, and to foster culture, diversity, and inclusion in downtown Athens. If you’re interested in attending, check out the calendar at www.AADMovement.org to find out when the next event is.
Starting over the summer, women of Athens were invited to participate in Women’s Empowerment: Breaking Racial Barriers. This was an opportunity for meaningful discourse surrounding women and racism, identifying internalized personal biases, and to stand in solidarity with one another as women. These events are ongoing so keep an eye out for the next get-together on the AADM calendar if you’re interested.
AADM was also successful in advocating for no cash bail in Athens. For over a year, AADM advocates and supporters worked hard to pass the Freedom Act in Athens and on June 4th, it passed with a unanimous vote. The Freedom Act now replaces cash bail for low-level crimes with “own recognizance.” Accused individuals will be released from jail after signing contracts promising to attend their court dates and other stipulations. While this is a wonderful step in the right direction, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to reform our criminal justice system. Stay tuned to AADM for more information on how to get involved – we look forward to seeing you in 2020!