New Haven Independent

Hampton asked an overflow crowd at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church to consider what King would say today about those issues. He spoke at a service following the march that takes place each year through the streets of the East Rock neighborhood in commemoration of King. Hampton’s father and precursor in the Shiloh pulpit, the late Rev. George Hampton, originated the march in 1970. It has become the most visible event in an ever-growing roster of King commemorative events in town, drawing leading politicians from around the state.

The cozy church sanctuary felt like a warm cup of cocoa for the marchers after they trudged through a windy snowstorm. The radiators warmed them up. So did the singing and dancing, leading to Rev. Hampton’s fiery address.

“The Senate Committee is now meeting with Samuel Alito,” Hampton remarked.

“Come on now!” called a parishioner.

“Does he have a track record…” Hampton continued.

“Mmmm hmmm,” came the assent from the white pews.

“… that supports the civil rights movement?”

“Nmmmmmm mmmmm.” (Translation: No more than Bull Connor.)

“Some don’t speak out,” Hampton said, “because they fear losing their positions…”

“That’s right!”

Hampton: “If that’s true, your job has truly become your pacifier.”

The pacifier was Hampton’s running metaphor for a generation that has grown timid in the face of an erosion of the gains won by King’s movement.

“Six weeks after Sept. 11, the nation was given a great big pacifier. It was called the Patriot Act. And we went to sleep. The government now has a device to destroy the dream in the name of the law.”

“Tell it Rev!”

“I suggest to you today that we scream loud to let our voices be heard! We need to let them know, as Martin would say, that we want to let freedom ring!”

Hampton paused.

“Tell ‘em Rev!” came the call from the pews. “Take your time.”

Hampton revved back up. “We have come too far to get these rights,” he thundered. “We have come too far to be bamboozled. Our library cards aren’t even private anymore.”

In full shout mode, gesturing and pivoting at the pulpit, he spoke of how in the ’50s and ’60s Klansmen hid behind sheets to try to prevent African-Americans from winning civil rights. “Today,” he said, “we have a new covering. It’s called ‘national security.’ They’re taking the changes away from us.”

Before his speech, Hampton enlisted (from left in photo) “Sister” Denise Nappier, the state treasurer; “Brother” Dick Blumenthal, the attorney general; and Comptroller “Sister” Nancy Wyman to circulate baskets for an offering for a church-run college fund. “Now this is not for their campaigns,” Hampton assured the audience. “It’s for the scholarships!”