Message to the Grassroots: Henry Peco Justice Committee Part 1 of 2

An episode of Message to the Grassroots, a cable access talk show produced & hosted by by Michael Zinzun from 1988-1998 at Pasadena Community Access Corporation, which is now Pasadena Media.

00:00Copy video clip URL On this episode of Message to the Grassroots, host Michael Zinzun and guests will be discussing the topics of money for jobs, education, and human needs: not war in the Middle East. Today’s guest panelists are Don Wheeldon, Bobbie Hodges (AFSC), Ralph McKnight, Margaret Prescod, Gilbert Moreno, and Glen Omatso. Zinzun is clear that many are against the war in the Middle East and that their voices should be heard. 

10:00Copy video clip URL Turning to Bobbie Hodges, Zinzun asks to hear her opinion and perspective on the opposition to the war. She discusses the human cost, particularly that of the Black community. 

20:00Copy video clip URL As a video of Ramsey Clark plays, he condemns war and “bombing sleeping people.” The video transitions to more voices of people directly impacted by American war efforts, the prospect of human loss in Iraq, and the overall outrage towards war in the Middle East. 

30:00Copy video clip URL More familiar faces like Jessie Jackson implore people to have be a moral authority: America and Bush need to face the issues in America and reconcile its violent past before starting such a war. Michael Zinzun returns to the panelists and asks them for more of their thoughts.

40:00Copy video clip URL Margaret Prescod discusses the intersectionality of the war’s implications. She also asks people to be empathetic for the lives lost on the other side: those wounded and killed are also someone’s child. She suggests that it is an immoral war and that the money spent should be utilized for reparations for the Black community, the Latino community, the Native community, women, and the working class. 

50:00Copy video clip URL Glen Omatsu discusses how war with the Middle East will be fought and paid for by poor people of color in both the U.S. and the Middle East. He suggests that the racism and issues stateside should be dealt with before a war can be considered. Zinzun then asks about the importance of Black people standing up in clear opposition of the war. 

1:00:00Copy video clip URL This section part of the program ends with some news footage of prayer leaders from around the country, praying for peace.