GUARDIAN CHRONICLE
Magazine for Law Enforcement,Community, Youth & You
Ralph E Smith- Publisher
March 2006
The Correction Officers' Benevolent Association, Inc Supports
Imam Umar Jalil
Norman Seabrook President
"I know this Man"
The Grand Council of Guardians Standing With Imam Umar Jalil by Aaron Jackson
George Bush routinely states to the American public, that freedom is on the march in Iraq, yet government employees in New York City are constantly marched into trial rooms or suspended for voicing descent, for speaking about what they perceive to be injustices committed by or occurring within their agency. In the month of March I attended the trial of Eric Adams, Co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care and now I stand at Riverside Church with Imam Umar Abdul-Jalil in front of Riverside Church to say that this is another example of how government employees civil liberties are being trampled. The right for government employees to speak up about what goes on in the workplace, other than confidential matters has already been addressed in the Courts, and off-duty, government employees: speaking in their private capacity about non-confidential matters is allowed.
The governments position seems simple and is readily identifiable, punish the current leaders who speak truth to power, who voice their concerns about their agency or government and we'll intimidate all future leaders into silence. It's important that we support these leaders and lay the foundation to support future leaders. Simply put, we don't need any more non-progressive organizations, not living up to their organizations mission statement, and whose leaders run to shake hands with and grin with their agencies Commissioner. We need leaders like these men, Kings within the community and unfortunately too often their livelihoods and reputations have been attacked and or destroyed or placed in serious jeopardy by their attempts to expose abuse in their workplaces.
The Grand Council of Guardians and Spiritual leaders from Catholic, Muslim, Jewish and Baptist faiths were all on had to voice support for Imam Umar Abdul-Jalil. His tireless work and self sacrifice on behalf of the Community and his service to New York City Correction Officers and Law Enforcement in general has not gone unnoticed and this organization, the Grand Council of Guardians stands with him as he has stood with us in the past.
Tune into the Guardian Chronicle for more details, photos and voices of support for Imam Umar Jalil