By Katya Yindra
On Sunday, May 19, the December 12th Movement held their annual march in Harlem, NYC, to celebrate Malcolm X’s birthday. Each year, community members take to the streets, imposing a “commercial moment of silence” on businesses along 125th Street. This year’s Malcolm X @ 99 Black Power Rally & March continued that tradition.
Protesters chanted, “No disrespect to Malcolm X. On May 19 we shut ‘em down,” as they marched. Some businesses had already closed, honoring the movement’s demands with signs explaining they were celebrating Malcolm X’s life. The march paused outside any business that remained open, chanting while organizers went inside to demand that people leave and the owners shut down. One organizer informed the crowd that workers inside a KFC were giving refunds to customers so they could leave.
The march concluded with a rally at African Square, where several organizers gave speeches linking the Black and Palestinian struggles against imperialism, highlighting Malcolm X’s visits to Palestine. They also addressed Columbia student organizers who marched in solidarity, with one speaker reminding them that “our struggle is a protracted struggle” and emphasizing that we should not expect any “easy victories.”
When asked his opinion on the rally, one labor organizer in attendance said, “Today’s action reaffirms the need to struggle. First and foremost, never give up. Adapt when necessary, but never give up. Political advancement is something that’s fought for—it’s not given. It’s never given.”
He elaborated on the history of The December 12th Movement, saying that they’ve always taken “many bold actions, including taking over the subway system. They took over the subway system—literally got hundreds onto the tracks and the system had to shut down. So what [students are] doing today, there’s a historical link. Yes, the conditions are different—taking over campuses. It is part of the continuum of the previous generation which also had to fight against a system which brutally refused to accept even what they call reforms.”
Photo: March commemorating Malcolm X’s 99th birthday at African Square.
