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NEW! Video featuring Advocate
4 Justice: October 14 National Justice Day Rally, Montgomery,
AL. Courtesy of The PATRICK Crusade.
The Advocate attends 9th Annual Christmas Dinner at Young Adult Guidance Center, Atlanta, GA
WHERE GENERATIONS MEET:
Sunday December 10, 2006 marked the 9th Annual Christmas Dinner for the Young Adult Guidance Center. This annual event sponsored by The Brotherhood and organized by Solomon Holland is always anxiously anticipated. Why? Thought provoking messages from keynote speakers and "goooood" food.
This year's speaker, Lt. Garry L. Jones, B.A. Criminal Justice and motivational speaker provided unusual insight into the criminal justice system. After Lt. Jones sought God in prayer he aroused the curiosity of everyone present by playing a Tapuc rap. His challenge to us was to tell him what we heard said in the cool, smooth rap with its captivating beat. Everyone was surprised to learn that Tapuc had referenced God three (3) times. His point was to not emulate the negative behavior demonstrated in the rap culture; some of it is hype. Many rappers he said have families and just portray an image for commercial reasons. So many young men find themselves in tough situations trying to emulate something that may not be real. Aware that his "at risk" male audience had difficult situations he told them not to be discourage. Negative can come from negative he said; but positive can also come from negative.
As a product of the "projects" he cited himself and others from that environment that he personally knew who have achieved great things. There are opportunities he emphasized; but sadly he told of many dangers. Dangers that he witnessed as a 16 year veteran of the correctional officer field in both Federal and State systems. The core of his presentation was the unfairness of federal mandated sentencing. It is critical he said that all people be careful of there playmates, playthings and playgrounds. One mistake or being in the wrong place can have unbelievable consequences to young, Black men that the system has demonstrated very little compassion. The essence of what Lt. Jones hoped these young adults would remember is that trusting in God makes you a success; and the decisions you make determine success. Now that the "thought provoking" part of the celebration has been reviewed lets talk about "goooood food".
Myra Lightfoot, Jeff Dooley and Fran Gibson prepared a Christmas meal that can only be described as " outta sight". Baked turkey, Ham garnished with pineapples, Dressing with gravey, Green Beans, Black-eyed Peas, Mac & Cheeeese and finally the right amount of cranberry sauce to balance the palate. Peach Cobbler and Zion Hill punch the dinner complete. The Brotherhood especially appreciates the hard work of Sis. Lightfoot, Sis. Gibson, Bro. Dooley and Bro. Holland.
Brothers exited the facility commenting on how far the Young Adult Guidance Center had come as it celebrated its 20th Anniversary Saturday evening at the Charles R. Loudermilk Center. Over the casual, evening ending conversation a Brother commented " next year will by our 10th year hosting this event and we have to do something really special", almost in unison and without a vote the Brothers responded "that's right".
The Brotherhood
A4J Joins
With LEAP: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
The Advocate4justice has joined forces with the organization called LEAP: Law Enforcement against Prohibition. LEAP is comprised of current and former members of law enforcement who support drug regulation rather than prohibition. I have been selected to be a part of LEAP's Speakers Bureau.
I firmly believe that the war on drugs was not meant to be won, and if you continue to think we are winning the war on drugs, you need to think again. If the United States is allowing illegal immigrants to come across our borders and then giving them a job for breaking the law, then the United States is allowing drugs to come into this country to destroy our families by subjecting them to draconian drug sentencing laws. This is a double standard. If you sell drugs, then you go straight to jail and earn pennies making products that the United States Government sell to private companies for millions of dollars.
The Advocate 4 Justice Represents LEAP at National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Executives Conference, July 7-12, 2006, Cincinatti, OH
Garry L. Jones and Robert Ryan representing LEAP at the NOBLE Conference
The Advocate 4 Justice addresses the Social Injustice Meeting,
sponsored by Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) -- June 2006
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The Congressional Black Caucus Conference September 23, 2005 - Washington, DC |
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 Garry Jones meets Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), 2004 Democratic Candidate for President |
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 Garry asks Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) to co-sponsor HR 3072 |
 Garry with Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) |
 Candlelight Vigil for victims of Hurricane Katrina |
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 Garry meets Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) |
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 Garry Jones, Advocate 4 Justice, addresses the rally |
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
 Cliff Thornton of Efficacy (left) and Garry Jones, advocate 4 Justice |
 Peter Christ of LEAP (left) and Garry Jones, advocate 4 Justice |
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Garry (right) meets with Caleb Gilchrist,
legislative assistant to US Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
June Clarke, Garry's former aide
(left) with Caleb Gilchrist
Garry displays one of his awards
Garry (left) meets with US Rep.
Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
Garry (right) and Eric Sterling,
President of The Criminal
Justice Policy Foundation
Garry stands with Reverend Walter
Fauntroy, Civil
Rights Actiivist, at the Civil Rights Summit, Montogmery College,
Rockville, MD. Rev. Fauntroy was the keynote speaker.
May 09, 2005
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Garry (right) meets with Caleb Gilchrist, legislative assistant to US Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) |
June Clarke, Garry's former aide (left) with Caleb Gilchrist |
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Garry displays one of his awards |
Garry (left) meets with US Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) |
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Garry (right) and Eric Sterling, President of The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation |
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Garry stands with Reverend Walter Fauntroy, Civil Rights Actiivist, at the Civil Rights Summit, Montogmery College, Rockville, MD. Rev. Fauntroy was the keynote speaker. May 09, 2005 |
