Help! Drop charges against Dr. Melina Abdullah

Patrisse Khan-Cullors (campaigns.organizefor.org); Ashley Wells, Crystal Q., Wisdom Quarterly

Demand LA City Attorney drop charges against Dr. Melina Abdullah

We demand that Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer end the criminalization of Black protest and immediately drop all charges against Dr. Melina Abdullah—professor, mother, organizer, and founding member of Black Lives Matter.

• Sign the petition and keep demanding that Mike Feuer drop the charges. 
• Phone: (213) 978-8100 and (213) 978-8359
• Email: mike.n.feuer@lacity.org
• Twitter: @CityAttorneyLA

Why is this important?

Mike Feuer, end the criminalization of Black protest. Dr. Melina Abdullah, a professor and mother of three school-aged children, has been dedicated to community organizing for decades. She has been active as a community educator, involved parent, and a “Spirit Mama” to dozens of “children.”

Her commitment has been deep and far-reaching, including fights for ethnic studies, public education, and fair land use. When the community rose up against police brutality in 2013, she was among the original group of organizers that formed Black Lives Matter. She has become a globally-recognized voice against police violence and a fixture in the contemporary Black freedom movement.

The prosecution you are leading against Dr. Melina Abdullah is malicious and discriminatory. As Los Angeles City Attorney, you are targeting and singling out Melina Abdullah in an attempt to silence Black protest. As you well know, Melina is the third Black activist to be prosecuted for her outspokenness at Los Angeles Police Commission meetings.

White and non-Black allies who engage in similar actions have not been prosecuted (even following their arrests). As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a national holiday, we know that Melina is actually walking in King’s footsteps and many other courageous Civil Rights leaders. Dr. King was arrested 40 times...

Your prosecution of Melina Abdullah is about much more than quieting her individual voice. Its intent is to have a “chilling effect” on Black protest more broadly.

Mike Feuer, your record of targeting and singling out Black protestors is shameful. In doing so, you actively criminalize Black protest, which represents a threat to the very victories gained through the Civil Rights Movement and other freedom struggles. For these reasons, among others, we demand that you immediately drop all charges against Dr. Melina Abdullah. More

Buddha's 32 Marks of a Great Man

These "marks" (lakkhana) are not a Buddhist invention. Rather, they have a long history in Vedic Brahmanism.

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The amalgam of Eastern philosophy from India is now called "Hinduism," although there was never any such term in India, nor was there the idea of a "religion" separate from life. There were various dharmas (schools of thought). But almost all were centered around traditions handed down in the great epics, Aryan writings, and great commentaries.

The Buddha inadvertently contributed that by revolutionizing thought on stagnant traditions, reviving a great deal of "Hindu" scholarship. Buddhists went on to found a remarkable new Dharma rooted in Indian fundamentals but radically breaking from many traditions with a universal message.

Part of the old tradition were these "marks of a great man." The Buddha was remarkably facile with incorporating widespread beliefs and re-purposing them towards enlightened ends. Therefore, his use of an old tradition, imbuing it with new significance, does not necessarily mean he was condoning the belief.

Instead, he was often utilizing skillful means to teach. These marks were a convention well known among leading philosophers and nobles. The Buddha explained them to reinforce the teaching of karma, which contrary to modern opinion was neither well known, thoroughly understood, nor universally accepted among his contemporaries and their followers.

The Major Marks (lakkhana) and their significance

1. Well-supported feet. Firm undertaking
2. Wheels beneath the soles of the feet. Great retinues
3. Projecting heels. Long life
4. Long fingers and toes. Long life
5. Soft and tender hands and feet. Well-united with people
6. Net-like hands and feet. Well-united with people
7. Ankles raised like conch shells. Becomes the best
8. Lower part of the leg is like an antelope's. Gets the best things quickly
9. Can touch and rub around his knees with both palms, while standing without bending.
   Great wealth
10. The part concealed by garments is covered by a hood. Many sons
11. Skin shines like gold. Get finest furnishings and garments
12. Subtle skin such that dirt and sweat do not adhere to body. Great wisdom
13. Single hairs, one to each pore. Well-respected
14. Hair pointing upwards, black, ungraying, turning in rings to the right. Becomes the best
15. Body frame is straight like Brahma ("supreme one"). Long life
16. Seven outflows on his hands, feet, at the tips of the shoulders, and at the top of the back.
    Obtains excellent foods
17. Upper part of the body is lion-like. No loss
18. The hollow between his shoulders is filled. No loss
19. Proportional with a body as long as the span of the arms. Great wealth
20. Shoulders evenly rounded. No loss
21. Releases the highest of tastes. Very healthy
22. Jaw is lion-like. He cannot be overthrown.
23. Forty teeth. His assemblies cannot be divided.
24. Teeth are even. Pure retinues
25. Teeth are undivided. His assemblies cannot be divided.
26. Visible teeth are very white. Pure retinues
27. A long and mighty tongue. His words are heeded.
28. The voice of Brahma, mellifluous, resembling the song of a karavika bird. His words are heeded.
29. Very blue eyes. Attractive look
30. Eyelashes like those of a cow. Attractive look
31. The filament between the eyebrows is white like soft cotton. Well-respected
32. Head is turban-crowned. Many followers

• See also at web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/32marks2.htm
• PHOTOS: Bas relief, Asian collection, Norton Simon Museum, Buddha Shakyamuni