For Immediate Release
Atlanta, GA
February 21, 2011

Statement of Janice L. Mathis, Esq. on
New Birth of Freedom and Equal Opportunity

Rainbow PUSH Coalition and other organizations are holding a New Birth of Freedom and Equal Opportunity Rally today in Atlanta at noon at the Georgia State Capitol.  Americans, including white men, are facing historic levels of unemployment.  My doctor’s $ 500K house is in foreclosure and she does not know where to turn.  The unemployment rate in Bahrain is the same as the U.S. unemployment rate for black males.  Americans are hurting.  The government must hear and act upon the legitimate concerns of real Americans. 

To its credit, the U.S. has encouraged peaceful protests in the Middle East.  But U.S. officials have gone beyond mere encouragement, to actively supporting peaceful regime change in Egypt and meaningful negotiations in Bahrain.  Yesterday morning on Meet the Press Susan Rice, UN Ambassador, indicated that the people of Bahrain have legitimate political and economic grievances that the government should acknowledge.  She is absolutely right. 

The desire for freedom and equality contagious.  From Tunisia, to Egypt, to Wisconsin, to Georgia.  People need jobs, education and freedom.  Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address has become one of the touchstones of American history and identity.  Lincoln’s “new birth of freedom” redefined the national interest in equal protection under the law as superior to states rights.  Today, we see a determined effort to turn back the clock. 

We support investments in infrastructure and education to restore sustainable economic growth.  We support alternatives to hyper-incarceration.  We support a balanced budget that includes putting everything on the table including the cost of war without end.