In defense of Michael McGee, Jr.

By David Jamil Muhammad | Last updated: Aug 13, 2008 - 2:27:00 PM

N.O.I. Prison Reform Ministry Report

Michael McGee, Jr.

MILWAUKEE (FinalCall.com) - At the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, July 17 marked the one-year anniversary of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan sending Abdullah Muhammad, student minister for the Nation of Islam’s Prison Reform Ministry, to speak on behalf of imprisoned former Milwaukee Alderman Michael McGee, Jr.

Bro. Abdullah returned to the city to proclaim the controversial community leader a victim of a modern-day political lynching for his strong defense of the Black community.

Referencing the book “Without Sanctuary,” he pointed to a photo of an unjustly accused Black man defiantly standing while surrounded by a White mob before being physically lynched. Bro. Abdullah drew a historical comparison of how the White-dominated power structure hates and seeks to destroy defiantly strong Black men.

“Alderman Michael McGee may be the embodiment of the evolutionary development of men like Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey.Warriors evolved to the point where they not only have a spiritual root but are able to comprehend the world of politics where you negotiate and compromise for the benefit of your constituency.This world hates a strong Black man!” he declared.

The controversial case, which has drawn national attention, came to a head June 24 with the conviction of the former Milwaukee alderman by an all White jury in federal court on nine counts of extortion, attempted extortion, bribery and failing to file a currency transaction report.

The denial of bail, use of wiretaps, Arabic-speaking agents and the public maligning of Mr. McGee have raised eyebrows at the federal government’s interest in the case. Many have charged presiding Judge Dennis Moroney and the local media with complicity in a political character assassination campaign against Mr. McGee.

The lynching of Frank Embree, July 22, 1899, Fayette, Mo. Reprinted from �Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America,� 2004

Referencing the book �Without Sanctuary,� he pointed to a photo of an unjustly accused Black man defiantly standing while surrounded by a White mob before being physically lynched. Bro. Abdullah drew a historical comparison of how the White-dominated power structure hates and seeks to destroy defiantly strong Black men.

“Some of us give up on Alderman Mike McGee because he’s been found guilty for breaking man’s law when the White man that found him guilty has already broken God’s law.The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said, None of us comes to the table as angels, we are all human beings, however if a man in his heart has a desire to defend and stand up for Black people, there must be some voice that will stand up for them in the face of a powerful enemy who uses the press in order to tear leadership down, especially in the eyes of people who suffer,” Bro. Abdullah said, in responding to the Black community’s confusion and despair over the verdict.

Mr. McGee’s tenure as alderman was marked by his strong community presence and advocacy for youth on Milwaukee’s north side, with him often responding to crime scenes and personally consoling families who lost loved ones to violence. To promote conflict resolution and positive relations with police authorities, McGee created the Rapid Response Team as a peacekeeping force in the community. “There are instances where girls have been raped, and Alderman McGee didn’t stay behind his desk pushing paper. He got up and came out into the community, went door to door, raised funds for the reward, and in some cases he went to the defense of various mothers, little girls, little boys. He started a program where we adopt a senior citizen. What was wrong with that? You don’t see that in the news everyday!” Bro. Abdullah reminded the audience.

“We are at war, and we need to study the evil suggestions that the enemy casts in firm resolutions. You actually think Alderman McGee is guilty because a man that breaks God’s law says he’s guilty,” Bro. Abdullah continued. Then the student minister reminded the audience of the many accused Black leaders defended by Min. Farrakhan, specifically citing the example of Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington, D.C.

“Min. Farrakhan went to the defense of Marion Barry (in the early 1990’s).By 1995, Marion Barry was back in position at the point when Min. Farrakhan brought two million Black men to D.C. and he (Mayor Barry) was able to facilitate the way for them and make it happen.Do you see why we should defend Alderman McGee?” he asked.

Wiretap evidence from Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm and U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic reflect the broad scope of the investigation of the city’s Black political establishment and clergy, with many of the recordings still being released to the press after Mr. McGee’s conviction.

Over the last 14 months since Mr. McGee’s initial arrest, only three elected officials publicly spoke out on his behalf and churches that raised funds for his defense are now falling under scrutiny from the media and local officials.

Referencing the timid response from Black Milwaukee’s leadership, Bro. Abdullah forcefully warned the crowd, “Michael McGee isn’t the last one they’re going to accuse, and if you don’t stand up for him maybe God won’t let anybody stand up for you. If you are scared as hell when you have the freedom to speak, then we aren’t going to hear a peep out of you when it comes time to sacrifice.

“America, the government, is our jailer.Every leader that stands up for us, they kill them. So what do you think your God says that he wants to do to them for killing all of our leaders?” Bro. Abdullah, constantly emphasizing the supremacy of God’s judgment over that of this world’s courts, reiterated Allah’s (God’s) threat to wicked rulers who conspired against the leaders of the poor and oppressed with verses from the 14th chapter of Isaiah. The verses read:

17. That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

18. All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

19. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet.

20. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

21. Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.”

(Dwayne X contributed to this story.)

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