Medicare workshop coming up for seniors See page 3
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #189 Daytona Beach, FL
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Daytona
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JAMES CLINGMAN: We’ve been marching in PRESORTED STANDARD place since March on Washington See page 4
Gullah tours offer plenty of Southern history See page 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
www.daytonatimes.com www.daytonatimes.com
JULY 18 - JULY 24, 2013
YEAR 38 NO. 29
Locals to line up for ‘Justice for Trayvon’
PEOPLE SPEAK
NAACP, Black clergy to participate Saturday in Daytona vigil BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
The Volusia County-Daytona Beach NAACP and area pastors are asking Volusia County residents to join them on Saturday at the Fifth District Court of Appeal building for a vigil calling for justice for Trayvon Martin. The Rev. Dr. L. Ronald Durham, pastor of Greater Friendship Mis-
sionary Baptist Church and president of the area’s Black Clergy Alliance, joined several area pastors participated in a tele conference Sunday with the Rev. Al Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton Through his National Action Network, he has called for “Justice for Trayvon” vigils around the country.
100 cities or more According to Durham, “The vigils, taking place in 100 or more
cities will be a call to action to push (U.S.) Attorney General Eric Holder to file federal charges for the violation of Trayvon Martin’s civil rights against George Zimmerman.” “If we don’t act now to stem the far-reaching implications for the verdict in this trial, anyone can now find themselves followed or confronted by a stranger, and when asked ‘why are you following me’ can be shot using this ruling as the basis of their defense,” Durham said. Additionally, Durham is asking all youth attending the rally to bring a bag of Skittles and wear a hoodie.
The Court of Appeal is located at 300 S. Beach St.
Prayers drowned out Durham, along with the Rev. John Long of Tubman-King Community Church and Pastor Monzell Ford were in Sanford on Saturday before the verdict was read at the Seminole County courthouse. They were praying among the protesters gathered for the verdict. At times, their prayers could not be heard above the protesters. One protester shouted, “We have been told to pray for our pie in the sky. That is race treason. I reject your notion to rely on
Daytonans represent at NAACP national convention in Orlando
Christianity to solve all our problems. There is another away. You don’t know the Bible you follow.” Monzell still attempted to pray. “I’m crying out Father, set it straight according to your purpose. I came for prayer because prayer changes things. I pray for peace, direction,” continued Monzell as the protesters got louder, shouting “Justice for Trayvon. We want justice. We want justice.”
Prayed despite heckling Long didn’t try to debate with Please see VIGIL, Page 2
Bus fare likely will increase next year BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Volusia County Councilman Josh Wagner, who represents the majority of Daytona Beach, said he voted last week to start the process of increasing the cost to ride the Votran by 50 cents because he wanted to give Votran the opportunity to conduct meetings to hear from the public. Volusia County Government spokesman Dave Byron said no date has been set yet for a final public hearing and that it will probably won’t happen until later in the year. Byron also noted that “any fare increase likely would be effective early next year.”
Raise fares or reduce service
PHOTO COURTESY OF CYNTHIA SLATER
James Ashley, Cynthia Slater, Leeann Harris and Walter Fordham attended the national NAACP convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Members of the Volusia County-Daytona Beach NAACP were among more than 3,000 participants at the national organization’s 104th annual convention in Orlando from July 13-17. This year’s convention theme “We Shall Not Be
Moved’’ focused on the modern-day attempts to roll back the progress of the civil rights era and efforts to combat them. Local president Cynthia Slater told the Daytona Times this week the convention was exciting and informative.
‘Much work to do’ “There is much work to do as it relates to working to fight for
voter rights, affordable health care, ending the school to prison pipeline, ending gun violence, environmental justice and disaster recovery, equity in education, employment discrimination, marriage equality, veterans affairs, economic justice, criminal Justice, and, of course, the NAACP calling for an investigation into the violation of Trayvon’s civil rights,’’ Slater stated.
Former NYPD sketch artist’s paintings to grace walls of Scarlett-Golden center BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
The artwork of Weldon Ryan will be on display starting July 26 at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Center Cultural and Educational Center in Daytona Beach. An opening reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. Ryan’s artwork will replace Anthony Armstrong, who was the first artist to have his
work on display at the center, which opened to the public last month. A closing reception for Armstrong is scheduled for Friday, July 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the center. Ryan was born in Trinidad and Tobago and arrived to the U.S. at age six in the Bronx, New York, where he spent most of his childhood.
Former NYPD sketch artist According to his website, he pursued an
Slater said Zimmerman being found not guilty in the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin “speaks to the unfairness of the criminal justice system.” “We must get these laws changed and we do that by getting out to vote, and removing those politicians who pass these laws from office. Our greatest voice is the ballot Please see naacp, Page 2
art education with his mother’s encouragement. He graduated from the High School of Art and Design in 1977, the state University of New York (New Paltz) and later the Fashion Institute of Technology. Before retiring in 2004 and relocating to Palm Coast, he served for 15 years as a police officer and sketch artist with the New York Police Department. Ryan also painted in his studio in the B.U.M.B.O art district in Brooklyn. Several of his commercial illustrations were on the cover and pages of various magazines. Ryan’s art is a representation of his life experiences. “Even though his artwork is somewhat rePlease see artist, Page 2
Councilwomen Deb Denys and Joyce Cusack voted against moving ahead with the increase. Wagner, who agreed with Pat Northey, Pat Patterson, Doug Daniels and Volusia County Chair Jason Davis to begin the process, told the the Daytona Times this week, that he is not sure he will support the increase during the final vote. “I am looking forward to hearing from public. The problem is that we either need to raise fares or reduce the level of service. The only other option is to increase the general fund subsidy. However, there appears to be little support for in increased subsidy,” Wagner concluded.
Current fare in place since 2007 According to information provided to council members, Votran faces a projected increase to the general fund subsidy of an additional $2 million forecasted in 2015. Votran’s current fare structure has been in place since January 2007. Staff members propose increasing the single ride cash fare to $1.50 with an accompanying increase in pass prices. The estimated additional annual revenue generated is $231,533. “If fares were increased to $1.75 with an accompanying increase in pass prices, the estimated additional annual revenue would be $347,778,” said the documents obtained by the Daytona Times. Please see FARE, Page 2