BATON
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking to Disqualify US Sen. Mary Landrieu From Re-Election Bid
US Sen. Mary Landrieu BATON ROUGE, LA — U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu will remain on the Nov. 4 ballot in Louisiana after a state judge dismissed a lawsuit Friday that had claimed the Democrat was not qualified to run for reelection because she lives full-time in Washington. District Judge Wilson Fields ruled that Republican state Rep. Paul Hollis’ lawsuit claiming the three-term senator didn’t meet the residency qualifications to represent Louisiana was premature. Fields said the U.S. Constitution clearly describes the qualifications required of a senator, saying the person must be a resident of the state at the time of the election. The judge said that means a challenge could be filed only after voters, in either the Nov. 4 election or the Dec. 6 runoff, choose a winner. “She has not been elected, and if I read the Constitution in its plain language it says ‘when elected,’” Fields told Hollis and his lawyer. Hollis said he was considering whether to appeal Fields’ decision or wait until the outcome of the election to determine if he’ll file another challenge. Under the U.S. Constitution, senators must be an “inhabitant” of the states they seek to represent. Landrieu says she lives with her parents in New Orleans when in Louisiana, and she is registered to vote in Louisiana with that address. Hollis says Landrieu is a “full-time, permanent inhabitant” of Washington, D.C., where she owns a $2.5 million home. Residency criticism in 2002 and 2008 failed to unseat Landrieu, whose family has strong New Orleans roots — her brother Mitch is in his second term as mayor and the job also was once held by their father. She has held elected office in Louisiana since 1980. But Republicans have used the lawsuit and the residency questions this cycle to try to define Landrieu as a Washington insider who is disconnected from her home state and too closely allied with Democratic leaders who are unpopular in Louisiana. “Mary Landrieu is Washington, D.C., through and through. Our Founding Fathers never intended for elected officials to become fixtures in Washington and become out of touch with their home state, as Sen. Landrieu obviously has,” Hollis said in a statement. See LAWSUIT, on page 5
ROUGE,
LOUISIANA
VOL. 39 • NO. 51 • FREE
A PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION
Lawsuit Seeks $40 Million for Victims of Police Abuse By Dr. J.A. Salaam Special to the NNPA from The Final Call ST. LOUIS —Sweltering heat didn’t keep more than 50 people from gathering at the Eisenhower Federal Building for a press conference where Atty. Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice announced a class action lawsuit on behalf of the “Ferguson Five,” city residents and others who the attorney said were abused by police during protests and a law enforcement crackdown in Ferguson, Mo., after the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown by a White police officer. “We are here to deliver what we have promised. There have been many victims of rogue forces. There are people who have come forth and we call them the Ferguson Five. These are the See ABUSE, on page 2
Atty. Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice announced a class action lawsuit on behalf of the “Ferguson Five,” city residents and others who the attorney said were abused by police during protests and a law enforcement crackdown in Ferguson, Mo.
Capital Area United Way African American Volunteers Needed to Advocate for Abused And Neglected Youth Teamed Up with BASF for 9/11 Day of Service, Remembrance
Activities focused on veterans, local troops, first-responding agencies
9/11 Memorial LIghts - New York City and Brooklyn Bridge. Dedicated to the almost 3,000 victims... We will never forget!
BATON ROUGE, LA – In observance of the 13th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on our nation, the Capital Area United Way and BASF teamed up once again to engage the local community to honor our veterans, those in the Armed Forces, and many of our local first responders. Activities included a care package collection, career fair (focused on veterans), supply drive for local homeless veterans, and thank-you banners and cards signed by the public. Thank-you banners and cards were signed by the public at Whole Foods in Towne Center and at Matherne’s Supermarket on Bluebonnet at Perkins Road
BATON ROUGE, LA – Capital Area CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Association recognizes the positive impact that its African American volunteers have made on children in the foster care system. “Our volunteers are making a big difference in the lives of abused and neglected children in East Baton Rouge Parish,” said Liz Betz, executive director of Capital Area CASA. “The children we serve have already faced difficult situations, and entering foster care can be traumatic. When a child See VOLUNTEERS, on page 2
JAGUARS OVERPOWER EAGLES 56-14
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LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
on Saturday, September 6, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Select area schools participated in Operation Goody Bag – decorating paper bags for troops to receive a special token of appreciation. A career fair was held on Thursday, September 11, from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Mall of Louisiana, 2nd floor near the food court. Veterans were strongly encouraged to attend and bring resumes, as up to 30 vendors from the industrial and retail areas were on hand to provide career opportunities. A supply drive for personal hygiene items took place on Thursday, September 11th at See 9/11, on page 2
RELIGION
New Birth Full Gospel Ministers will celebrate and honor their pastor Bishop Ivory J. Payne at it’s annual double honors banquet on Saturday, September 13, ...See Page 4
INDEX
250 CADETS TO GRADUATE The Louisiana National Guard Southern University’s offense produced 651 yards of total offense, including 395 yards on the ground as the Jaguars routed NAIA member Central Methodist 56-14 in their 2014 home opener in A.W. Mumford Stadium Saturday night. ...See Page 6
Youth Challenge Program is scheduled to graduate 250 cadets during a ceremony at Bethany World Prayer Center in Baker, La., Sept. 13 at 11 a.m...See Page 2
CEREMONY AT MCDONALD’S
Valluzzo Companies is pleased to announce that it will hold a Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for its recently renovated McDonald’s on Harding Blvd. from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm on Friday, September 12th....See Page 5
LSU PUTS IT ON SAM HOUSTON ST. Anthony Jennings to Travin Dural. Get used to it. The combination produced three first-half touchdowns — including a 94-yarder on LSU’s first offensive play..See Page 6
State News...............................3 Religion....................................4 Business....................................5 Classifieds.................................5 Sports.......................................6
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