baton
THURSDAY, October 29, 2009
rouge,
louisiana
Vol. 34 • No. 26
a people’s publication
Serena Williams Coming to Baton Rouge
Interracial Couple Sues Louisiana Jurist Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers WASHINGTON (NNPA) An outraged Louisiana couple filed a federal lawsuit Oct. 20 against a local official’s decision to deny them a marriage license because they are of different races. Now married, Hammond, La. residents Beth and Terence McKay, said in their suit that justice of the peace Keith Bardwell’s refusal to marry them was unconstitutional. They are seeking unspecified monetary damages, citing emotional distress and mental anguish. “The U.S. Supreme Court has long recognized that interference with marriage rights solely upon the basis of race is a violation of constitutionally protected rights,” read the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans. Laura Catlett, the McKays’ attorney, added in an
Mayor Melvin ‘Kip’ Holden
Mayor Holden Takes Bond Proposal to Airwaves BATON ROUGE - Supporters of a $900 million bond proposal put Mayor Kip Holden on television Wednesday night on WAFB. The Committee for the Future of East Baton Rouge paid $21,100 for the 30-minute special. The broadcast featured Holden, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Police Chief Jeff LeDuff and others. The bond proposal calls for millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements, including a new law enforcement complex and drainage repairs. “I would think mostly it’s preaching to the choir. I would think most people who watch this are already supportive of it. They had their thoughts re-enforced,” said political analyst Jim Engster. A new prison and traffic signal synchronization are also on the table, but the biggest attention-getter is “Alive.” “Alive” will be an interactive nature museum built on the banks of the Mississippi River. Many opponents say that “Alive” that could kill the mayor’s plan. “I don’t think it [the special] was over-emotional. I just think it was pretty much a straight-laced look at what he hopes to offer,” said political analyst Clay Young. The mayor and his team have spent thousands on commercials pushing the bond proposal. The Committee for the Future of East Baton Rouge paid $23,895 for a series of commercials on TV. “I think if you were in the gray area on this, then it probably pushes you to the mayor’s side a little bit because of the way it was put together. If you were staunchly in the no category, I don’t know that this overwhelmingly convinced you that your position is the wrong one,” Young said.
interview with the AFRO, “Public officials are required to uphold the law…. He should be publicly reprimanded by a court and stopped from performing marriages.” Bardwell said his decision, made in early October, not to marry the couple—a White woman and Black man—was based on concern for the welfare of children the couple may have. “There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage,” Bardwell told The Associated Press. “I think those children suffer, and I won’t help put them through it.” After learning of Bardwell’s decision, Humphrey contacted local and national media. “We are used to the closet racism, but we’re not going to tolerate that overt racism from an elected official,” she told CNN. See couple, on page 8
Actress Robin Givens Stars in Children’s Series Shot in Baton Rouge
Serena Williams
to Play Advanta WTT Smash Hits in Baton Rouge 2009 NCAA singles champ Devin Britton joins field Serena Williams is bringing her top-ranked game to Baton Rouge. Williams, who reclaimed the number one world ranking two weeks ago, will play in Advanta WTT Smash Hits, a charity event co-
NATIONAL/state & Community watch
hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, on Dec. 8 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the Louisiana State University Campus. Event officials also announced the addition of rising U.S. standout Devin Britton, who captured the 2009 NCAA singles title as a freshman at the University of Mississippi. Williams and Britton join an all-star lineup that includes Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, Anna Kournikova, Tommy Haas, Liezel Huber and local favorite Chanda Rubin of
STATE & LOCAL NEWS
Lafayette, La. The 17th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits is a charity tennis event that raises funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and Baton Rouge area AIDS charities. Reserved tickets are are available through the LSU Box Office or by calling 800-9608587. Tickets can be ordered online at http://www.wtt. com/smashhits. Williams has won eleven career singles Grand Slam singles titles including two See williams, on page 3
Business News
Givens to Walk Red Carpet for Premiere BATON ROUGE — Multitalented actress Robin Givens will walk the red carpet at a Baton Rouge theater for the premiere of JK’s House. The sit-com musical, shot on a sound stage at Baton Rouge’s Celtic Media Centre, combines song, dance and lively banter in an upbeat kid-friendly performance. JK’s House chronicles the life of a 7-year-old girl as she learns various manners and acceptable behaviors through social interactions. She and her older sister are raised in a single-parent home. Their mother, Amber, played by Givens, is a doctor and is actively involved in a book club which meets frequently at her home. Jakayla Lawrence, of Baton Rouge, (who is actually 6-years-old) makes her on-screen debut in the title role of JK.
Health news
Producer/Director Aaron Williams says the project is unique and will appeal to people of various ages and backgrounds. “We wanted to shine the spotlight on an ordinary kid in America,” Williams said, “to show what it’s like to walk in her shoes, live in her house, and play in her backyard. It’s really a journey See givens, on page 2
religion news
The Lighthouse Gospel Singers began singing as the Wright Brothers in the year of 1948. In 1950, they were reorganized and adopted the name of the Lighthouse Seniors..See Page 7
INDEX
After School Programs The Campaign for Spelman College is a $150 million fundraising effort that aims to actualize the ambitious goals identified in the institution’s strategic plan for 2015. This is the largest such venture the college has embarked upon in its 128-year history.....Page 10
A new survey finds no progress in participation in afterschool programs by Louisiana youth over the last five years, even as the nation made progress and demand for afterschool programs in Louisiana increased dramatically. ...See Page 2
New Health Care Bill Historic
After months of struggle, House Democrats unveiled sweeping legislation Thursday to extend health care coverage to millions who lack it and create a new option of governmentrun insurance. A vote is likely next week on the plan...See Page 8
Sickle Smart Empowerment
R&B/Pop Star Ruben Studdard and the local Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) chapter, the Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, hosted the Be Sickle Smart “Empowerment Day”... See Page 9
Local & State............................2 Special...............................4 & 5 Commentary.............................6 Religion....................................7 Business....................................8 Health.......................................9 Other......................................10
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