He has been instrumental in organizing and promoting jobs rallies in Akron and fought (non-violently of course) to prevent the privatization of the Akron Sewer System.

By JUDITH LYNN LEE

Staff Writer

John Fuller, Ohio American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) for Economic Justice and Empowerment, is this year’s recipient of the John T. Looney Peace and Justice Award.

With all his heart and soul, the pillar of the Akron community received the award Sunday, April 28, 2012 at the Grace United of Christ of Loyal Oak Church in Norton, Ohio. Fuller said he was honored to receive the award.

“John Looney and this organization have done a lot of positive work across racial lines on behalf of the community. It’s an honor to receive an award in his name,” said Fuller.

In the 1960’s, John T. Looney, a small business owner became involved in the Civil Rights Movement while working for fair housing in Wadsworth, Ohio.  The award named for him was established by Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth Group to commemorate the personal commitment of John Looney to the concept of peace and justice for all.

For more than twenty-five years, recipient John Fuller has been an activist and advocate working for peace and justice.  He’s been an elder for peace and African-American communities in Akron. 

John Fuller has worked for many years with the American Friends Service Committee of N.E. Ohio in support of the goals and ideas of non-violent resolution of conflict and the promotion of economic and social justice.

After serving two years in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 4 Administrative Clerk, Fuller returned home to attend the University of Akron where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.  After graduation, he worked for the city of Akron as a city planner administering Community Development Block Grants and Emergency Shelter Grant Funded Contracts.

Fuller later became active in the AFSC protests against the United States involvement in Central America, especially against the actions in Nicaragua and El Salvador. He has continued to protest against all the wars in the Middle East which the U.S. has been in since the first Gulf War.

Protesting against the apartheid government in South Africa led to Fuller to being named a delegate to a Detroit fund-raiser/rally in support of Nelson Mandela.

He has been instrumental in organizing and promoting jobs rallies in Akron and fought (non-violently of course) to prevent the privatization of the Akron Sewer System.

He also helped organize the bus trip to the Million Man March in Washington, D.C.

A leader in the African-American United Front and the Coalition for a Safe Community, Fuller continues working to bring peace to Akron neighborhoods and justice for those who have been denied it.

The 2012 John T. Looney Peace and Justice Award was presented by Matthew Hartman, grandson of John T. and Adele Looney.