A nonviolent campaign to end child prisons in America will begin outside the Dallas office of Congressman Pete Sessions next Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The coalition to Free the Children Now held its inaugural meeting today at the office of Dallas real-estate developer Ralph Isenberg. The coalition plans a sustained nonviolent campaign until children prisons in America are closed.
The first protests will be supported by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) , the League of United Latin-American Citizens (LULAC), and Rev. Peter Johnson.
In the second week of the campaign, protesters will add the offices of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice-Johnson while continuing outside Sessions’ office.
“We’ll grow from two offices to four the week after that,” said Isenberg by telephone Thursday night.
Each demonstration will have a similar style. Four people with signs saying “Free the Children Now” will stand silently with heads down while a fifth person answers questions and distributes literature.
“We’re working carefully on the body language so that we will send the exact same message at each demonstration,” explained Isenberg. Eventually the coalition wants to include all Congressional and Senatorial offices in Texas.
Free the Children Now also will plan to target presidential candidates who tour Texas in search of votes.
“We welcome any tips about when candidates are scheduled to come to Texas,” said Isenberg who can be reached via email at Hamtx44@aol.com
Further down the road, the coalition to Free the Children Now anticipates that the issue of child prisons will be added to the agenda for immigrant-rights mega marches being planned for April.
And when longtime civil rights activist Andrew Young recovers from recent health difficulties, the coalition to Free the Children Now expects to have his support in person.
“Andy Young called me to offer his complete support,” said Isenberg, adding that he coalition to Free the Children Now is gathering a committee of former civil rights advisors.–gm
MoPress 
Leave a comment