[imc-st.louis] See LaVena Johnson’s father on Channel 5 Tuesday nite

[Don Fitz]

The Greens had a very successful press conference today on the LaVena 
Johnson murder coverup.  Channel 5 probably had the best coverage, 
showing interviews both with Lavena’s father, Dr. John Johnson, and 
Michael McPhearson of Veterans For Peace. 

If you didn’t’ see it on the noon or 5 pm news, look at the 6 pm or 10 
pm news.  If you would like to hear Dr. Johnson’s description of what 
his family went through and the current state of violence of the 
military to its own, come to Black & Green Wednesday tomorrow nite.

Don Fitz

 

Black & Green Wednesday

FORUM: The LaVena Johnson Story

WHEN:  7 pm, Wednesday June 4, 2008

WHERE: Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar (near Union)

A panel discussion will include:

*  Lionel Nixon, African Newsworld newspaper [moderator]

*  John Johnson, father of LaVena Johnson

*  Redditt Hudson, American Civil Liberties Union

*  Michael McPhearson, Veterans For Peace

On July 19, 2005, LaVena Johnson became the first woman soldier from 
Missouri to die in Iraq.  It was eight days before her twentieth 
birthday.  A black woman from a St. Louis suburb, LaVena played the 
violin and was an honor roll student.

Though the army declared her death a suicide, that claim is refuted by 
her family.  There is good evidence that a struggle preceded her death, 
including two loose front teeth, a busted lip and a blood trail outside 
her tent.  There was no indication that she had suicidal thoughts.

Though there was a flurry of news stories about her in 2007, the press 
has been silent for a year.  The panel will provide an update concerning 
the investigation of her death. 

It is time to ask how many other LaVena Johnson cases there are that the 
US military is covering up.

Sponsored by Gateway Green Alliance and Universal African Peoples 
Organization.  For more information call 314-727-8554 or visit:

www.gateway-greens.org