Above Photo: Christopher Hazou/ Flickr
Note: Below is a statement from Black Lives Matter Charleston about the death of Muhiyidin D’Baha, a Black Lives Matter activist who died after being shot in New Orleans. As you can see from their statement, Muhiyidin had a long history of working for racial justice.
He is best known for this moment when he crossed a police line and grabbed a Confederate flag from a racist protester.
Protester jumps barricade and attempts to get Confederate flag from man #chsnews pic.twitter.com/hTBql8qS9Z
— Ray Rivera (@RayRiveraChs) February 22, 2017
The New York Times reported on his death in their obituary, writing that he was shot in New Orleans. It is not clear why or whether he was targeted, and his death is under investigation. Muhiyidin was active in demonstrating after the death of Walter Scott, shot by a police officer in Charleston in April 2015. Two months later, when a black church was attacked by Dylann Roof and nine churchgoers were killed, Muhiyidin was at the forefront again. More about his work for social and racial is provided justice below. -KZ
You can support his family here.
In life, there are a few select people that make a difference wherever they go. Muhiyyidin D’Baha was one of those people. As a social justice warrior, he taught us all about courage, self-reliance, and most of all love. He brought his passion for people, especially children, wherever he went. His Ba’hai faith opened him up spiritually to so many. To meet him was an experience, to know and love was a privilege.
He never really thought of himself as a leader. However, his willingness to stand up to injustice brought him to that realm for many of us in the community. Muhiyyidin worked tirelessly to continue on a long line of people who dedicated their lives to fighting for freedom and equality, and we are committed to this being at the forefront of his legacy.
Since Black Lives Matter Charleston came to the forefront shortly after the Walter Scott case, Muhiyyidin participated in many positive community initiatives concerning youth; he was an advocate for women’s rights, allied himself with social justice with the community group SURJ Charleston and believed fiercely in the abolitionist movement. He was on the board for the Days of Grace which took place after the Emmanuel Nine. As a staunch advocate for the Charleston local community, Muhiyyidin created drum circles with the Gullah community for youth and adults. He also worked with CCSD members in developing alternatives to suspension and school-based arrests. The result was the Turning Points Program which will be a year old in April. A few other noteworthy actions: organizing a healing event at the 2nd year after Emmanuel AME at Marion square, being a co-writer of the Charleston Charter, co-founder of North Charleston Civil Coalition for Reform and co-authoring 11 Reforms to North Charleston, campaigning for Willie Wilson during the 2016 elections, serving with the Green Party of Charleston and serving Education Committee Chair for Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities in North Charleston from 2016 to 2018.
Today we at Black Lives Matter Charleston continue to be deeply, shocked and saddened by the death of our comrade, friend, and brother. We would like to say to the family that we love and support you in this time of grief and are prepared to help you carry out any final wishes from our Brother. To the media, we ask that the family, friends, and community be respected when reporting regarding our founder, family member, and friend.
Black Lives Matter Charleston will honor Muhiyyidin’s heart project “From the Block Up” by fully supporting it through organizing and fundraising. “From the Block Up” is an evolving concept to create a viable and sustainable model of community through working with youth and neighborhood block building. There will be more information on this initiative on the BLM page and group. Memorial arrangements will be forthcoming from the family.