Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge

The ISUPK High Holy Day in Harlem, NY Passover 2012
The ISUPK performing in Washington DC on October 10 of 2014, corner of H and 7th St. N.W.

Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) is a non-profit organization based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States. The group is part of the Hebrew Israelism movement,[1] which regards American blacks as descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.[2] The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled ISUPK an "extremist" and "black supremacist" group.[1]

ISUPK has demonstrated many times at the corner of Seventh and H streets in Washington, D.C., since 2004,[3] but residents complain the group amplifies their open-air preaching to more than 90 decibels and that their message is offensive.[4] Some homeowners say the group accuses white and gay people of destroying historically black neighborhoods and at least one resident has complained of being called "cracker, slave owner, [and] white devil", but reiterated that volume, rather than the group's speech content, is the problem.[5]

ISUPK and other groups' volume prompted D.C.'s municipal government to consider an ordinance to "resolve the issue".[6] The measure would have limited the volume of daytime noncommercial speech to 70 decibels, but died due to free-speech concerns.[7] ISUPK regional director General Yahanna defended the group, saying residents' real issue with the group is not sound, but their message.[6] The group identifies its message as saving local residents' souls and discouraging people from drugs and crime; it regards its separatist teachings as the real issue residents have.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "God and the General. Leader Discusses Black Supremacist Group". Intelligence Report (Southern Poverty Law Center). Fall 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  2. ↑ "History of Hebrew Israelism". Intelligence Report. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  3. ↑ Seregi, Marianne. "How Loud is Loud? Across the District, Residents Are Seeking Relief From Jarring, Vexing, Headache-Inducing Noise". The Washington Post (Saturday, September 22, 2007). pp. B01. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  4. ↑ Segraves, Mark (February 21, 2008). "Bring The Noise". WTOP News. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sabar, Ariel (March 12, 2008). "In a Changing Neighborhood, the Gospel Falls on Achy Ears". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Faith group hit for being too loud". The Washington Times. February 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Nikita (February 20, 2008). "Measure Tabled Over Unions' Free-Speech Concerns". The Washington Post. pp. B02. Retrieved 2008-09-08.

External links