Hello PALS,
Monday, September 10th was Allensworth Appreciation Day – and indeed, a day to be remembered!
The event began with singing “The Star Spangled Banner" and "Lift Every Voice" followed by an invocation led by me. Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, Chair of the Black Caucus, welcomed everyone and thanked them for participating in this day of acknowledgement and celebration of Allensworth.
Assemblyman Mike Davis then spoke on the three different efforts currently underway to protect Allensworth from the dairies: Bill AB576, written by Assemblywoman Wilmer Carter; Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s lawsuit against the Tulare County Board of Supervisors; and Governor Schwarzenegger’s negotiations with the Etchegary family to buy the dairy rights [buy from whom? why?]. The Governor has stated that his objective is to preserve Allensworth and its park[name of park?], and that he welcomes all efforts to that end.
Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, President-Elect of the Black Caucus and an ardent supporter of the Allensworth cause, moved Bill AB576 through the Assembly and the Senate, and urged those present to make their support of the bill known to the Governor. He then introduced Assemblywoman Wilmer Carter, author of Bill AB576. Assemblywoman Wilmer Carter then spoke on the protection that AB576 would provide Allensworth, and on recent revisions [amendments?] that had been made to the Bill. As the Bill now stands, it would provide a two-and-a-half mile buffer zone around the park and town on which no animal husbandry would be permitted.
Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, who represents Allensworth in the Assembly, spoke on the necessity of preserving the history and accomplishments of all peoples that have played a role in the development and advancement of the State of California, and stated her strong commitment to the preservation of Allensworth.
Allensworth’s mayor, Nettie Morrison, spoke on the struggles and challenges Allensworth has faced during in recent years, thanked those involved in the effort to save Allensworth, and urged everyone to become more involved in the development and preservation of the town and park.
Caroline Ferrell, Esq., Senior Attorney of the Center for Race, Poverty and the Environment, spoke on the civil action currently being undertaken on behalf of [by?] the Allensworth stakeholders, in contrast to the Attorney General's actions, which were based on the faulty environmental report.
Trooper Bobby MacDdonald then shared his personal experience as a Buffalo Soldier, and noted that Colonel Allensworth’s achievement in becoming the first Black Chaplain of the 24th Infantry, his status as a Buffalo Soldier, and his attainment of numerous other military firsts all make his civic namesake – the Municipality [Town?] of Allensworth – a significant military historic site.
Leticia Ugwueke presented the gathering with an inspiring Spiritual before we opened the floor for questions and answers, as well as statements.
No news crews were present at the event, as House Speaker Fabian Nunez was simultaneously holding a news conference for his State of the Assembly session.
At about 2:00pm, our buses began heading back to Los Angeles. At 5:00pm, Governor Schwarzenegger issued a press release stating that the State had successfully negotiated the purchase of the dairy rights from the Etchegary family for $3.5 million, and that the contract had to be approved by the Board of Public Works.
What a great day in California history!
We were told by someone in the upper level of State government that if we, the community, had not been as vigilant as we were, this victory would not have occurred.
Many, many stumbling blocks were placed in our path; yet by the Grace of God, this work bore fruit. It is through the active participation and prayers of each and every person that this victory was achieved. We should all be encouraged by this accomplishment, as it was a bold demonstration of action taken in Faith.
Indeed, if we are willing, He is able.
Beverly,
Allensworth PALS
