| The AME Church is leading a drive to secure 20,000 signatures for a USPS stamp to honor the life and works of Richard Allen. Facing a deadline of November 1, 2011, the public is invited to circulate and sign petitions. Richard Allen's work to bring harmony in the city of Philadelphia is noted in historical documents which chronicle his several vocations - businessman, educator, minister, chimney sweeper and leader of the Africans. Included among his many jobs Allen drove a salt wagon during the American Revolution to raise the $2000 in Continental currency to pay his slave master. Like other Blacks, the liberty language of American colonists created a context which influenced Allen�s desire to be manumitted from slavery. He was one of the founders of the Free African Society, perhaps the earliest mutual aid societies which disbursed funds for widows, orphans, and the sick in their membership while assisting fugitive slaves and new migrants. In 1793, he and Absalom Jones took responsibility for preserving the dignity of the yellow fever epidemic victims of all races and cultures who were poor, by insuring their burial. During his lifetime he promoted Black commerce with Africa and decried the "scheme" to rid America of freed Africans (now referred to as African-American or Black). From 1797 to 1831, Allen operated a station of the Underground Railroad from his home. In September 1830 Allen hosted the first national Black Convention with representatives from 7 states in attendance. The founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816 made it the first independent Black denomination in America and is deemed by many historians as the first civil rights protest in the USA. Anyone can sign the Richard Allen Stamp Petition. Everyone is urged to sign the Richard Allen Stamp Petition. The leadership of African Methodist Episcopal Church is asking members and friend of the AME Church to spread the word! EBlast it to associates, friends, and family members! Organize networks of petitioners to help meet the goal. Signers of the petition do not have to be members of the AME Church. Signers of the petition can sign the Bishop Richard Allen Postage Stamp Petition in hardcopy individually or as part of a group! Sign the Richard Allen Stamp Petition HERE: www.ame-sac.com Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, chair of the AME Church Social Action Commission is asking that every believer in freedom for all people help recognize Richard Allen�s role within a frontline vanguard of persons of African heritage who led America in the early American republic. Mail signed hardcopy petitions to: Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, chair - Social Action Commission Telephone: 601.366-8240 c/o: The Eighth Episcopal District - AME Church FAX: 601.366-8175 5450 Executive Place Jackson, MS 39206 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact: Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, III Office: 615-714-0986; FAX: 615.658-5552 Editor - AME Christian Recorder Email: chsydnor@bellsouth.net or Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Cell: 213-494-9493; FAX: 213-494-9493 Director - Social Action Commission Email: jdupontw@aol.com |
 |
| CLICK TO SIGN PETITION |
