National weekly february 4 2016

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 4 – FEB 10, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 5

N E T W O R K T H E

M O S T

W I D E L Y

C I R C U L A T E D

CARIBBEAN

A ZIKA UPDATE ON THE CARIBBEAN PAGE A4

BUSINESS

BLACK TECH: THE LEGACY AND THE NEXT GENERATION PAGE B2

HAITI

OAS LAUNCHES SPECIAL MISSION FOR ELECTIONS PAGE A7

ENTERTAINMENT

SWEET LOVING AT ONE LOVE IN THE PARK PAGE B3

COMMUNITY

REMEMBERING THE PAST THROUGH ART PAGE B5

LOCAL

PUSH CONTINUES FOR EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN PAGE A3

SPORTS

TRINIDADIAN BOXER INDUCTED INTO THE WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME PAGE B7

C A R I B B E A N

A M E R I C A N

N E W S P A P E R

I N

F L O R I D A

WATCH IT. READ IT. LOVE IT. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

Runcie rejects house bill targeting undocumented students Dr. Garth A. Rose

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Undocumented students attending public schools may be placed in a precarious situation, thanks to the controversial HB 675 Bill, which has just been passed by the Florida House of Representatives. The bill would force local government agencies such as police departments and schools to cooperate with federal immigration authorities on deportation requests. Failure to comply would cost a $5,000 fine a day.

“As a school system we have a moral responsibility to serve every student that shows up on our doorstep, period. Our focus is on educating children.” In an upcoming in-depth interview with Caribbean National Weekly (CNW) Network, Broward County Public School Superintendent Robert Runcie expressly rejected the proposed policy, and its potential impact on public schools. “As a school system we have a moral responsibility to serve every student that shows up on our doorstep, period,” said Runcie. “I don't believe that school districts, with all the other challenges we have, should have another responsibility like this placed on us. Our focus is on educating children.” “[It] would be cruel if the state would place a ban on students who are not documented from receiving an education at state schools,” says Miami educator, Andrew Lawson. “Plus it would create severe stress on the school system. We're not trained to seek out and report illegal immigrants in schools, especially as traditionally schools “accept both legal and illegal students.” Bill sponsor Rep. Larry Metz of Lake county defended the bill, arguing stricter repercussions are needed to strengthen Florida's immigration laws and protect the security of the state. But both teachers and immigration activists alike are continues on A7 – Undocumented

#DrivingWhileBlack more expensive in Palm Beach County's black drivers disproportionally ticketed for seat belt infractions Cnweeklynews.com Black drivers in Palm Beach county are three times more likely to get tickets for not wearing a seat belt, according to a new report from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU compiled its report from data gathered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, after a 2005 law required state law enforcement agencies to collect information on the race and ethnicity of drivers who are ticketed for

not wearing seatbelts. The move was supposed to combat concerns about the racial profiling during traffic stops. The report however shows the trend continuing across the state, with 147 different agencies surveyed across Florida. On average black motorists in Florida were given 22 percent of tickets for seatbelt violation issued in 2014, while representing only 13.5 percent of the statewide driving-age population with access to a car. For South Florida's civil rights advocate Clement Milton, the ACLU report is another reason why the Florida civil rights division of continues on B5 – #DrivingWhileBlack

Jamaicans head to the polls Feb 25 Dr. Garth A. Rose Jamaican voters are set to vote February 25, following the recent announcement from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. The Opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) led by Andrew Holness and the governing People's National Party (PNP) will contest 63 constituents, seeking to win at least 32 seats to form the next government. The announcement came as a relief for Miami businessman Lynford Beckels, who is among the few Jamaican registered voters residing in South Florida. “Speculation of an early election went on much too long, and was beginning to become counter- productive for the country,” said Beckels. He continues on B6 – Jamaica elections


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