In front of a packed courthouse, Craig A. Walker, age 43, of Americus, recently pled not guilty to first-degree felony child cruelty charges. The charges stemmed from an October 2006 incident in which Americus police detective Alphonso Ross arrested Walker and jailed him for allegedly spanking his 14-year-old niece with a switch. Walker's attorney, Charles Jones, of Fort Valley, accompanied Walker during the arraignment before Southwestern Superior Court Judge James Sizemore.

After the arraignment, a crowd of about 30 supporters gathered on the outside of the courthouse lawn to join in song and prayer with Walker and his attorney. Among those present were members of the NAACP, Prison and Jail Project and several local clergy.

Walker, Vice president of the local NAACP, thanked the crowd for their support. "I was surprised and touched to see so many people come out and support me," Walker said. Rev. Dr. Timothy French of Macon said, "I was glad to be here standing with my brother in his time of need. I brought with me some members of the Baptist Minister’s Union of Macon and Vicinity Inc."

The members in attendance were Rev. Dr. Timothy French, President, Rev. Michael Johnson, 2nd Vice President, Rev. Richard Gammage, Chaplain, Rev. Ulysses Finney, Rev. Michael Glendry, Rev. David Stanley, Rev. Clifford Little, Rev. Melvin Fussel, father of Dr. Melvin Fussel Jr., Rev. Victor Hunt, State NAACP Religious Affairs chairman and Rev. Barry Mitchell.

Several local ministers were also present including; Rev. Larry Sims, Union Tabernacle Baptist Church and Rev. Elijah Smith, A.M.E. Presiding Elder.

After the prayer vigil the group continued the fellowship with lunch at Ryan's.

Dr. John Marshall learned at an early age that "black and white" was more than a metaphor when describing the world. He grew up in Savannah, GA. when the separation of races was the law in the United States.

The Savannah State College (University) graduate has been working in the vineyard for racial justice for many years including more than 14 years as a member of the NAACP. After moving to Americus in 1986, he founded the Americus-Sumter Observer, the county's black newspaper, eleven years later. This was a vehicle to keep blacks informed on issues affecting their community and propel Marshall's messages and his fight for justice.

In 1990, Marshall joined the Sumter County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and became president of the chapter in 1993. Under his tenure, the branch has battled wrongdoings at Sumter Regional Hospital, Middle Flint Mental Health Center, Sumter County Schools, the Americus Times Recorder, which he refers to as the "dangerous monster," and the city government.

Referring to the March 1 tornado as "the hands of God," he called the storm a wake-up call for Blacks and the local NAACP to reassess their priorities and strategies. Marshall plans to announce some changes and shakeups in the organization at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on April 21.

In a recent interview, Marshall sat down with the Americus-Sumter Observer to talk about what makes him tick.

ASO: Why did you join the NAACP and why do you feel it is an important organization?
JDM: I saw some of the most blatant acts of racism against some of the very people who feed me every day and most of them are helpless and very fearful of the White power structure in Americus.
ASO: Describe growing up in Savannah?
JDM: It was a totally Black upbringing as segregation and the separation of the races was the law in the United States. That is why I laugh when I hear The Times Recorder's Beth Alston and William Bronson and Bill Murray accuse me of trying to separate the races. I was born in it and I didn't do the separating.
ASO: Would you say things have gotten better or worse for Blacks over the last decade or as compared to when you were a young man?
JDM: I think we have so many opportunities that we have squandered as adults who are unable to work together with other Blacks to make sure all of our children are well-educated. When some of us go down then all of us will be damaged sooner or later. We have to stick together in order to survive in this racist, anti-Black country. We are in trouble because adult Blacks are abandoning their responsibility to get our children and the disadvantaged on the right track.
ASO: What would you say is the biggest issue facing blacks in Sumter County and how has the NAACP addressed it or what can residents do to address it?
JDM: The biggest problem in Sumter County is that our elected and appointed Black officials are too afraid to speak up for the Blacks who put them there. They take the safe approach and let our enemies give them orders. We are not able to demand our share of the power that deals with the school system, the court system, law enforcement, the local hospital, city and county government and even the election board. We need to have representation in all of the above areas and it takes men and women who are strong and not weak-kneed. We have a “dangerous monster” called the Americus Times Recorder that has kept so many Black and White citizens in the dark. That monster has demonized so many good Black people, especially those who try to advance our people. We have proven that they will condemn Blacks daily but hide the horrifying stories of Whites (especially the well-to-do Whites). The answer is to stop supporting the Times Recorder.
ASO: What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment or the NAACP's biggest accomplishment in your tenure as president?
JDM: I think my biggest accomplishment is the Americus Sumter Observer newspaper. The NAACP is also a major accomplishment and when you put the two entities together, you have a dynamo that can shake some rafters. Our confrontational activism is frightening to mainly our Blacks who are justifiably fearful of the White power structure. The White powerful will go after your earning power, scandalize your name, try to put you in jail, or worse. I am not surprised to see so many frightened Blacks because that White power elite will do anything to hold on to their control of this community. The answer to your question is having the ASO and the NAACP to expose the ruthless power structure.
ASO: Who is you're right-hand man?
JDM: My vice president, Craig Walker. He's not concerned with staying in the safe zone. He is totally committed to the cause, risking his health, life, wealth and career for what is right.
ASO: The last edition of the Americus Sumter Observer touched on some shakeups that would be announced at the NAACP banquet. Anything more you can tell us about this announcement?
JDM: We saw the hand of an angry God on March 1 and a warning was given to all of us. I know the hand of God when I see it. I think we should reassess our priorities and our strategies in order to not frighten the very people we are trying so hard to advance. It does not help any of us to keep using the same approaches and expecting different results. The NAACP changes will show a gentler and well controlled strategy that will carry our people toward the goal of empowerment in their beloved Americus, Ga.

The healing of the racial wounds in Americus is expected to play prominently when U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek give the keynote speech at the 31st annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in Americus on April 21.

Meek, the Florida Democrat, who entered Congress at the 27, has been in the forefront of fighting for racial justice, especially the treatment of Haitian refugees by U.S. govenment authorities. His district has more Haitians than any other district in the United States.

Following the March 1 tornado that killed two people and destroyed several homes and properties, community leaders including officials of the local NAACP have been calling for an end to the racial divide in Americus and Sumter County.

Congressman Meek, who is serving in his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, told the Americus-Sumter Observer in a recent interview that as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, he's "excited" to deliver the keynote speech to the Sumter-County NAACP banquet.

Meek's address will focus on "Healing the Community through Unity," the banquet's theme.
"This is a time for healing and we thought it would be the most appropriate subject to address," said Dr. John Marshall, president of the local NAACP.
Dekalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones, who recently provided several trucks to assist Americus in cleaning up debris from tornadoes, will be in attendance.

"As one of the oldest and most influential organizations, the NAACP is the premier civil rights group in the United States," said Meek. "The NAACP fights for the values that I support and advocate for on a daily basis."
The Freedom Banquet is the NAACP's biggest fundraiser. It provides money for scholarships. Three scholarships are expected to be handed out during the banquet. A number of residents will be awarded for their community activism and support, including Sumter County School Board member Carolyn Whitehead. Her stances had been in opposition with the Sumter County NAACP for years - until recently, Marshall said.

"She now seems to be a little more in tune with what we see as the needs of black people," he said. "We want to give her praise for working with us."
There also will be dinner and entertainment during the banquet and State NAACP president Edward Dubose will be in attendance. Organizers expect about 500 audience members to attend.

For more information on the banquet, individuals wanting to purchase tickets, or church groups, businesses, fraternities and sororities, agencies or any groups wanting to buy tables can contact (229) 924-0880.