A Legacy of Hope and Activism: ALBA Celebrates in the Bay Area
June Gipson at the ALB Monument, August 22, 2021. Photo Nancy Tsou.
On September 26, ALBA’s San Francisco Bay Area community organized a stirring, 75-minute program that was streamed live to an audience of hundreds. Hosted by Richard Bermack, the celebration featured footage of a gathering held in late August at the Lincoln Brigade Monument near the Embarcadero, with June Gipson and Deja Abdul-Haqq of the ALBA/Puffin-Award-winning My Brother’s Keeper, as well as a conversation about music and activism between Bruce Barthol and Barbara Dane, an address by Robin D.G. Kelley, and more. See the video here.
“This monument, the people, and what ALBA stands for, is truly valuable to the community in which we serve,” Gipson said. “The night that I found out that we will be the recipients of the ALBA/Puffin Human Rights Award, I actually shed tears. If you’ve never been invisible, you may not understand why I cried. You may not understand why I was emotional. For the very first time, I felt as if we were being seen for not only what we do but who we are for the work that we’re so passionate and so dedicated to doing. To be seen organization like ALBA, an organization whose mission, passion and dedication is rooted in being on the right side of history, is more valuable than what you probably would ever perceive.”
“We are truly honored to be a part of this spectacular moment,” said Abdul-Haqq. “No matter who you are, who you love, or where you live, you deserve basic rights. Though the veterans are no longer here, you can feel the spirit of do for your brother in this space.”
A slideshow with photographs of the August rededication by Nancy and Len Tsou:
