The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.60/No.26           July 1, 1996 
 
 
Burning Of Black Churches Continues  

BY TIM MAILHOT

BOLIGEE, Alabama - Another predominantly Black church was consumed by flames in Enid, Oklahoma, June 13. Meanwhile, efforts were under way to rebuild the three churches that were earlier burned down near this town, about 90 miles southwest of Birmingham. Mt. Zion Baptist was torched on December 22 and the Little Zion Baptist and Mt. Zoar Baptist on January 11. This reporter, along with Young Socialists leader Ryan Kelly from Boston, traveled there to join the volunteer work crew and get a first hand feel of the response to the burnings.

Some 35 Black churches have been burned in the Southern United States over the last year and a half, with an escalating number of arson attacks this year. Yet another church was destroyed by flames June 17, this time in the Black community in Rocky Point, North Carolina.

Before heading out to the new site of the Mt. Zion Church, we talked with Spiver Gordon, a long-time civil rights activist who is helping organize fund raising and volunteer labor. "Members of the churches have set up an account, the Green County Emergency Church Fund, to handle contributions to the rebuilding effort," Gordon said. "We've received over $100,000 from all over the country towards the rebuilding of these three churches, but more is needed."

None of the churches could afford adequate insurance policies to cover rebuilding costs. Gordon explained that some individuals have also set up accounts and solicited contributions in the name of the three churches, rather than joining with them. "They are just trying to make themselves look good, while giving little support to the efforts of the Black community to rebuild," Gordon said of these individuals. "Things are getting worked out, though."

Newspaper articles have reported harassment of Black preachers and churchgoers by agents of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) during their investigation of the fires. "The FBI and ATF has spent a lot of time interrogating the ministers and parishioners of these churches," said Gordon. "They've subpoenaed church records, and asked if we have any drug dealers in our churches. The people here have resisted being treated this way, though, and told the agents what they think of their investigation." Over the last period, vigilance and protection of local churches has been quietly organized by members of the Black community.

Arrests have been rare in any of the 35 some cases. James Cavanaugh, ATF Special agent in charge of the Birmingham office, has been quoted saying that there is no evidence of racist motivation in these fires. Nevertheless, on the day that Mt. Zoar and Little Zion churches were burned, an article appeared in the Sumter County Journal reporting on the sentencing of two whites for a series of sledge-hammer attacks on three Black churches in nearby Coatopa. They had smashed pews, kitchen equipment, and windows while drunk. A third defendant committed suicide before sentencing.

Two young whites were also recently arrested for the burning of two Black churches in Greeleyville and Bloomville, South Carolina. They reportedly attended a Ku Klux Klan rally weeks before the fires, and one was carrying a card identifying him as a member of the Christian Knights of the KKK when arrested.

Meanwhile, Ralph Reed, head of the rightist Christian Coalition, called a meeting for June 18 with civil rights and Black groups to discuss the burnings. He was shown on CNN suggesting that the arson attacks are not racist terrorism, but rather are part of an attack on religion, citing fires at predominantly white churches and synagogues.

Rev. Joseph Lowery, president of the civil rights group Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said he would talk to Reed, but that the Christian Coalition had contributed to "a climate of negativism" in the United States. "They're not going to absolve themselves by exploiting these fires," he said.

Reed called Lowery's criticisms "an irresponsible comment."

The Mt. Zion Church is being built at a new site. Over the last three weeks, the foundation had been set and the framing for the walls was up. When we arrived, there were about 10 people already at work, putting up plywood and insulating sheets. The outside will be finished with brick, headed up by Robert Woolridge, a local Black contractor. "This isn't my church, but members of the congregation asked me to do this, so I agreed to a reduced fee. Some of my regular workers go to this church," he said.

Working on the crew are a number of Blacks from the area, and volunteers from the Washington Quaker Workcamps. They come from South Carolina, New Mexico, and other states. Later in the day, we met people from the United Kingdom and Tanzania. By lunch time, there were about 30 people on the site. Skill levels varied greatly. One taught junior high and college in Chicago, one was a computer programmer, and another was an architect. "The volunteers have been a big help," Woolridge noted. "They all work together with no problem."

Chuck Cole, the teacher, had seen the articles in the news. "I was outraged by these fires, and felt obligated to act. It is important to stand up for what is right. What we're doing here is not really work, either. Its a pleasure to work with other committed people."

Tim Mailhot is a member of the United Steelworkers of America in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Socialist Workers candidate in the 6th Congressional District.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home