1000 words, and then some!

[damali ayo]

"It was panhandling, it was performance art - and it was a political statement about the legacy of slavery and reparations for black people." - The Associated Press

Send your pictures! pi...@reparationsday.com

A warm THANK YOU to all of you who participated. You are this event. Thank you for your courage and charisma, your signs and savvy. You should be very proud. The feedback has been amazing. We got lots of press and the experience of both panhandlers and passers-by have been reported as positive learning experiences. It has been a true honor to share this performance with you. I am deeply moved that you each trusted me enough to take to the streets and take my performance into your own hands. You are Now Art.

damali

View these pictures and many more here http://www.flickr.com/photos/damaliayo/sets/72157602252100202/ If you have pics, send them into pi...@reparationsday.com

Press Coverage for National Day of Panhandling for Reparations:

The Oregonian

Panhandling for reparations

An artist's campaign draws ire but also discussion about slavery

Thursday, October 11, 2007

by ERIN HOOVER BARNETT

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119207313367680.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

Great story on Frances M with a great quote from Annin B.

This story was picked up by the Associated Press (AP) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jx4bMOqVmjiKiIRB21sxNg69qqQAD8S737A00

and reprinted in over 40 papers/outlets, including:

Vail Daily News, CO

San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 1 hour ago

Portlanders panhandle for slavery reparations

Statesman Journal, OR

6abc.com, PA

Hays Daily News, KS

WAVE, KY

Philadelphia Inquirer, PA

Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA

Worcester Telegram, MA

Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC

Centre Daily Times, PA

WTOP, DC

News & Observer, NC

Bradenton Herald,  United States

Charlotte Observer, NC

Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX

Pioneer Press, MN

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA

ABC7Chicago.com,  USA

The State, SC

Kansas City Star, MO

MiamiHerald.com, FL

Kansas.com, KS

Contra Costa Times, CA

Kentucky.com, KY

Tuscaloosa News, AL

Times Daily, AL

Belleville News Democrat,  USA

Forbes, NY

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio

Performance Artist Panhandles For Slavery Reparations

By Colin Fogarty

Portland, OR  October 10, 2007 4:08 p.m.

http://news.opb.org/article/performance-artist-panhandles-slavery-reparations/ (you can listen online)

KOIN 6 TV News

link pending. visit http://koin.com later this week and search for "reparations"

The story features Jagjit N.

The Nation Online

Panhandling for Reparations

This article was originally published by Wiretap, a national magazine for a new generation of progressive ideas and action.

by Kameelah Rasheed

October 3, 2007

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071022/panhandling

It really was a NATIONAL performance!

damali

-- 

NATIONAL DAY OF PANHANDLING FOR REPARATIONS was October 10, 2007.

70+ people in 21 states and 3 countries took to the streets to collect and distribute reparations. More Info at http://reparationsday.com Call in your thoughts! The National Day of Panhandling for Reparations Voice Mail is (971) 285-4820 Send in your pictures to: pi...@reparationsday.com

"In other places "people panhandle for beer money or drugs," said Joseph Oldani, 22, who is white. "Here you actually have people sitting out here doing something that's been widely avoided by the American people." ..."Good morning!" said Frances Miller. "Would you like a reparations payment?" Startled, [Porter Miller] stopped. He leaned closer so she could explain. Then he accepted the money. "That's pretty neat," said Porter Miller, 58, reaching his bus stop. "It makes me feel better. Makes me feel we're appreciated here."" The Oregonian/AP http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119207313367680.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

"...this performance makes "it more real" because it "removes the theoretical" and brings it to the streets. Adding a "grassroots element to the already present academic and legislative conversations," Damali makes the conversations more accessible and invites passersby to engage in conversations that seem otherwise out of reach. They may not like what they are invited to talk about, but they are at least given the opportunity." -Wiretap/The Nation Online

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071022/panhandling