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THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Supporters Push To Get Paid Family and Medical Leave Over The Finish Line

by Christine Stuart Ct. News Junkie

HARTFORD, CT — Passage of a Paid Family and Medical Leave bill seemed inevitable this year, but Wednesday was the 99th day of the legislative session and none of the three bills have made it through either the House or the Senate.

Advocates are concerned they may have lost some momentum. It’s also been hard adjusting to a new administration that embraces the concept of Paid Family and Medical Leave, but doesn’t necessarily agree with its own party on how to get there.

On Wednesday the Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family Leave delivered a letter signed by more than 5,000 people to Gov. Ned Lamont’s office as well as to House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz and Senate President Martin Looney.

Seven-year-old Winnie delivered it for the coalition.

Winnie supports paid leave because she didn’t think it was fair that her friend was unable to go to the clinic for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia treatments with her mother because her mother had to work.

Winnie’s mom, Liz Halla-Mattingly, testified about her own struggles balancing work, a new baby, and her mother’s cancer diagnosis.

“The struggle I faced trying to do it all — be a new mom, a good employee, and a caregiver but feeling like I was failing at all three. Those were the hardest months of my life,” Halla-Mattingly said in her testimony

about the legislation.

Jessica Ciparelli, a member of the coalition, said she and her three siblings did their best to spend as much time as they could with their mother before she died.

“We made it work, each in a different way,” Ciparelli said. “But not everyone has the options we had available. Not everyone has understanding employers.”

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said Wednesday that they are negotiating a final version of the bill with Lamont’s administration and his goal is to get it “up on the board” for a vote in the next few weeks.

House Majority Leader Matt Ritter admitted that it’s a complicated bill to draft, but they are working their way through it.

The devil is in the details.

There’s debate over whether it should be an appointed board that makes decisions about who runs the call center or other parts of the contract related to administering the program. Some believe it should all be done in-house by the Department of Labor.

Should a board created by the bill make more of those decisions about how the program is managed? Or should it be spelled out as part of the legislation?

“Personally, I really don’t care who is administering it,” Aresimowicz said. “I don’t care. Public, private, let’s find out what works. Let’s get the product out to the people who need it.”

The two bills proposed by the legislature differ from the bill proposed by Lamont.

Under all the bills, all employees in Connecticut would contribute 0.5 percent of

their weekly paycheck to a state-run trust fund, which would pay them during their approved leave.

How much employees would receive while on leave differs.

The governor’s bill, SB 881, says an employee could earn 90% of their typical earnings up to $600 per week for anyone making around $15 an hour and 67 percent up to $900 for workers earning more than that.

The other two bills passed Monday by the Finance Committee offer a wage replacement level of 100 percent, up to a maximum of $1,000, which is much higher than programs in other states.

That’s opened the door to opponents who don’t believe the trust fund will remain solvent because everyone will take their full 12 weeks of paid leave every year.

Ritter said there’s a notion that there will be fraud and abuse and people will just take leave for 12 weeks because they know they’re going to get paid.

“People go on leave now,” Ritter said.

“What we’re trying to do is create a process for people who are really sick or have loved ones who are really sick to care for them and not choose between a paycheck and an ability to do that,” Ritter said.

Catherine Bailey, deputy director of the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, said people are taking leave now because life happens — people get pregnant, people get cancer, and people die. She said this legislation just offers everyone protection from losing their jobs and a paycheck.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz with Winnie

Department of Labor Employees Lobby To Keep Paid FMLA In-House

by Christine Stuart Ct. News Junkie

On their own time, Department of Labor employees delivered a petition to Gov. Ned Lamont’s office Monday asking him not to privatize any part of any Paid Family and Medical Leave program that’s approved by the General Assembly.

The petition was signed by about 300 of their colleagues.

“We as an agency believe we could do a better job administering the program,” AFSCME Local 269 President Xavier Gordon said.

He said privatization, one of the options being discussed in negotiations over three different versions of the legislation before the General Assembly, could also compromise the integrity of the program.

Democratic lawmakers are currently looking to negotiate exactly what Connecticut’s paid Family and Medical Leave Program will look like. House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, has said he expects the legislation to be passed in the next two weeks.

“Personally, I really don’t care who is administering it,” Aresimowicz said recently.

“I don’t care. Public, private, let’s find out what works. Let’s get the product out to the people who need it.”

The two bills proposed by the legislature differ from the bill proposed by Lamont.

Under all three bills, all employees in Con-

necticut would contribute 0.5% of their weekly paycheck to a state-run trust fund, which would be used to pay workers during approved periods of leave.

How much employees would receive while they are out on leave differs depending upon which bill you consider.

The governor’s bill, SB 881, says an employee could earn 90% of their typical earnings up to $600 per week for anyone making around $15 an hour, and 67 percent up to $900 for workers earning more than that.

The other two bills offer a wage replacement level of 100 percent, up to a maximum of $1,000, which is much higher than programs in other states.

Asked about how firm he was last week on privatizing parts of the program, Lamont said the “hard line” for him is to “keep those options open so we can deliver service in the most efficient and effective way possible.”

Lamont said the Department of Labor would adjudicate any claims related to the program even if it’s overseen largely by a private insurance company.

Gordon said he doesn’t want to be sharing anyone’s “medical information” with a private company.

He said even if the Department of Labor maintained the claims adjudication, it would need to share information it collects

for other functions with a private company.

“It shouldn’t be in two different areas,” Gordon said.

He said the state already has the infrastructure to manage this type of program.

AFSCME Local 269 Vice President Marsha Tulloch said she came from the division that crafted the current regulations for unpaid Family and Medical Leave.

“We are subject-matter experts who have the training and the commitment to do the job right — and do it impartially, with full accountability to the public,” Tulloch said.

She said they already have wage information and a list of all employers.

“I think it would be an easier fit and a quicker fit to have us administer the program,” Tulloch said.

It’s unclear exactly how many employees will eventually be hired to administer the program if it becomes law. Gordon estimated that it would be between 100 and 120.

The fiscal note for the legislation says the state will have to hire between four and eight additional staff two principal attorneys, five staff attorneys, and one administrative assistant at a cost of between $414,690 and $863,938 in fiscal year 2021.

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, released a statement in response to the DOL petition Monday afternoon: “This petition speaks to that fact that for

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CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE PHOTO

AFSCME Local 269 President Xavier Gordon hands Lamont’s scheduler Mellanye Castro the petition as AFSCME Local 269 Vice President Marsha Tulloch looks on

some, paid family medical leave is not about creating a sustainable, effective and efficient benefits system. It’s about pumping more taxpayer dollars into state government to hire more state employees, even if that means less money for actual paid fam-

ily medical leave benefits,” Fasano said. “If a private company can manage a paid family medical leave program at a lower cost with better results, why should the governor reject that direction? Why should the Con’t on page 08

City Appealing Jefferson Decision THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

The Harp administration has decided to continue fighting rulings that it should rehire its former equal-hiring chief.

In the latest step in a long-running City Hall saga, the administration is appealing a state Superior Court Judge’s April 2 ruling ordering the city to rehire Nichole Jefferson as executive director of the Commission on Equal Opportunities and give her back pay.

Mayoral spokesman Laurence Grotheer Thursday confirmed the decision to appeal.

He declined further comment.

The judge’s April 2 decision upheld an earlier arbitrator’s decision that the city mishandled its firing of Jefferson for “grave violations of ethics and public trust.”

“We looked at the decision the judge made.

It seemed to be at conflict with itself,” Mayor Toni Harp said during a a recent appearance on WNHH FM’s “Mayor Monday” program. She declined to discuss the specifics of the case further because, she said, it’s a personnel issue.

In his April 2 decision in the case City of New Haven v. AFSCME Co. 4, Local 3144, Superior Court Judge James Wilson Abrams focused on two legal terms of art.

The first term is “egregious.” The judge wrote in the decision that city did make its case that Jefferson acted “egregiously” under the law. “[T]he City argues that the activities that led to Ms. Jefferson’s termination violated and implicate the City’s Ethics Ordinances,

the State Ethics Code, and certain criminal statutes. The court concedes that the issues raised implicate strong public policy concerns,” the judge wrote.

The second term is “incorrigible.” The city has to prove that Jefferson’s behavior was so “incorrigible” that it had to fire her outright rather than follow a series of steps of progressive discipline. The city failed that test, in the judge’s opinion.

“While the court finds that there was actual harm sufficient to consider the behavior at issue egregious, it finds insufficient support for the argument that Ms. Jefferson would not respond appropriately to progressive workplace discipline and, as a result, it can not find her ‘incorrigible,’” Judge Abrams wrote.

“Based on the foregoing, the court finds that the violation of public policy at issue in this case does not mandate termination and the defendant’s application to confirm the arbitration award is granted.”

The Background The Harp administration fired Jefferson as executive director of the Commission on Equal Opportunities in 2015, sparking a drawn-out and acrimonious legal battle.

The CEO is charged with enforcing a city ordinance requiring the hiring of black and and Latino and female workers and minority-owned and female-headed firms on government-funded construction projects.

The long-running dispute began over institutional ethics and transparency, and developed into a battle over the rules for remov-

ing government employees.

When Jefferson ran the CEO, she simultaneously ran a nonprofit with a similar mission out of the same office, dealing with the same unions and contractors whose work she was charged with regulating in her city job. She enjoyed a reputation for hard work and producing results.

When Toni Harp took office as mayor in 2014, supported by critics of the CEO, she installed one of those critics to run the commission that oversees the agency. Then her administration fired Jefferson. It cited ethical concerns about how the city agency and nonprofit intertwined, and what it said were Jefferson’s refusals to produce documentation, including Form 990 tax returns, for how her nonprofit spent public money. City Hall also said it couldn’t find years worth of minutes for meetings of the commission charged with overseeing the CEO. The city wrestled for months after the firing with Jefferson and her supporters for physical control of a city-owned building that housed the agency. When the city eventually regained control, officials said they found furniture gone and the facility vandalized, with cement poured down the drains. Jefferson adamantly denied any unethical behavior or failure to account for spending.

She also swung back against accusations from the Harp administration that she had committed crimes. The administration handed the U.S. attorney’s office a report alleging serious criminal behavior by Jef-

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PAUL BASS PHOTO Nichole Jefferson.

ferson — and the office concluded that the accusations had no merit.

In addition, confidential internal emails from the corporation counsel’s office were made public, stating that the mayor personally was looking for ways to fire Jefferson and her staff— a revelation that helped Jefferson’s cause as she appealed her termination.

Jefferson charged the city unjustly fired

her and smeared her reputation. Siding with the city on some specific claims but with Jefferson on others, the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration ruled last year that the city must reinstate Jefferson and pay her for lost back wages. The Harp administration appealed in Superior Court, where a judge last week upheld the mediation board’s ruling.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

Early Tax Receipts Hold ‘Steady’ April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

by Christine Stuart Ct. News Junkie

HARTFORD, CT — All the revenue hasn’t been counted, but Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Scott Jackson said Monday he was optimistic about recent tax collections following the April 15 deadline.

The revenues won’t be reconciled until April 30, but Jackson said “receipts have been strong.”

Jackson said last year can’t be used as a baseline because of the repatriation of foreign dollars, but revenues are currently “above tax year 2016 numbers, which is sort of our last good benchmark.”

Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw reported Monday that the current fiscal year is expected to end with a $566.6 million surplus, which is up $70.2 million from last month’s forecast largely as a result of revised revenue projections.

Income tax receipts from paycheck withholding are running about $100 million ahead of projections, according to McCaw’s monthly letter to state Comptroller Kevin Lembo. And the Corporation Tax has been revised upward by $20.4 million to reflect stronger than anticipated March payments.

Based on its statutory volatility cap that means the state is on track to end the fiscal year with $2.6 billion in the Rainy Day Fund.

“You don’t touch a Rainy Day Fund,” Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday. “That Rainy Day Fund is supposed to be there for a rainy day.”

However, he’s not opposed to using some of the surplus to pay for things that aren’t part of the general operating budget.

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE PHOTO

DRS Commissioner Scott Jackson and Dept. of Rehabilitation Services Commissioner Amy Porter at the cabinet meeting Monday

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE PHOTO Gov. Ned Lamont addresses his cabinet

For instance, Lamont has pitched using $20 million a year over the next five years to match the $100 million gift from Dalio Philanthropies. The General Assembly would still have to sign off on the use of that money.

Lamont said he doesn’t have a number in mind for how much of the surplus he’s willing to spend.

“What I don’t want to do is use a shortterm surplus to pay for long-term operating costs,” Lamont said.

As far as this year’s tax receipts, “Now that we have a good idea, post-April 15th, of what our revenues look like, I think we know that they’re steady,” Lamont said.

The bipartisan budget and the volatility cap, which dampens the impact of the financial services sector on Connecticut’s revenue stream, may offer Connecticut more predictability than in past years.

Last year, Connecticut’s income tax revenues came in 46 percent better than initially projected, largely due to the 2017 federal tax law changes. The year before that revenues fell about $450 million below projections.

Lamont didn’t argue that the bipartisan budget over the last two years may have contributed to the increased predictability of the tax receipts. New York didn’t fare as well with revenues, coming in 4.7 percent below projections.

The legislative and executive branch reconcile revenue numbers three times a year, but April is the most important one because it’s the last one before lawmakers and the governor craft a state budget for the next two years.

The legislature’s two budget writing committees are expected to release their budgets the first week of May.

Study: Latino Students Arrested Six Times More Often In Schools With Police Officers

by Jack Kramer

New Haven Independent

NEW HAVEN, CT — The presence of police officers in Connecticut schools has resulted in more Latino students being arrested or referred to law enforcement, according to a study by Connecticut Voices for Children.

The study examined the impact of school resource officers (SROs), who are police officials assigned to Connecticut schools.

While just 24% of Connecticut schools have a school resource officer, the number of such officers increased by 29% between the 2012-13 and 2015-16 school years, the last for which data has been tracked. Larger schools are more likely to have SROs than smaller schools.

Students attending schools with SROs were at greater risk of discipline overall, and the average arrest rate of Latino students at schools with an SRO was six times greater than the average arrest rate of Latino students at schools with-

out an SRO, according to the study.

“While many schools look to school resource officers to improve school safety and education outcomes, these findings are troubling evidence that their presence may contribute to increased discipline for minor offenses and far greater arrest rates for Latino students,” Camara Stokes Hudson, associate policy fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children, said.

For Black, White, and Asian students, all groups showed higher numbers of referrals to law enforcement in schools where SROs were present, but the study found this relationship may not be exclusively due to the presence of an SRO. “We need to ensure that the presence of SROs does not lead to unnecessary discipline or exacerbate existing inequalities in our education system,” Stokes Hudson added.

Schools and boards of education may request school resource officers in an effort to improve school safety and aca-

demic achievement, but the study did not find evidence of such outcomes in the 2015-16 school year.

On most measures of school safety it examined — such as the use of weapons, drugs, or alcohol; theft; and property damage — the average numbers of incidents of such behavior did not differ significantly between schools that did or did not have SROs present.

Academic performance, as measured by average test scores, also did not differ significantly based on the presence of SROs. Schools with SROs reported higher levels of school policy violations, such as skipping class, insubordination, or use of profanity.

It is not clear from available data whether SROs participated in reporting these policy violations.

The report recommended that schools districts with SROs should have publicly accessible memoranda of understanding about the role of SROs, survey

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students about their experiences with SROs, and share information with students and parents about students’ rights.

The organization also recommends that the General Assembly request a study of SROs, including a review of student discipline rates by race, gender, and disability status.

“These steps can help to ensure that students, parents, and school staff have an informed understanding of the role of school resource officers in their school and the potential impact interactions with SROs may have on different students,” Lauren Ruth, advocacy director at Connecticut Voices for Children, said.

“We need further investigation to explore how Connecticut children perceive their experiences with SROs and to understand how children may be affected by attending a school with an SRO versus a security guard.”

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Abrams Sounds Alarm For Democracy THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

by MARKESHIA RICKS

New Haven Independent

Political superstar Stacey Abrams stopped by her alma mater to to deliver a warning: a failure to protect the vote is costing us our democracy and our standing in the world.

Abrams, a former state senator who narrowly lost a bid for governor of Georgia, sat down with former U.S. Secretary of State and fellow Yalie John Kerry, at Woolsey Hall to talk about defending democracy as part of a two-day conference hosted by the Kerry Initiative-Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

She said voting is a fundamental right that is being eroded in the United States — not by fraud but by suppression.

The Yale Law grad, who was the first black woman major-party gubernatorial nominee and delivered the Democratic party response to the president’s State of the Union this year, didn’t pull any punches about what she thinks needs to happen in the coming 2020 presidential election. Voters need not just to kick President Donald Trump out of office but must also swing the pendulum away from oligarchy and authoritarian rule, she argued. And for Abrams, it all starts with voting.

She described what happened during her gubernatorial race in Georgia — long lines at reduced black polling stations, problems with absentee ballots, purging of voter rolls — as part of a long effort that began with the end of Reconstruction and picked up steam with the erosion of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, when “any of the restraints on stripping people of their right to vote were removed.”

Voter suppression, she said, looks like defunding counties with high numbers of black people so that they don’t have the resources they need at election time. It looks like declaring English as the only official language. It’s making an ID card necessary to cast a vote in places where it is difficult for some people to obtain such identification. It’s making it harder for college students to vote on campus, or to use their student IDs for identification.

“It is systemic and systematic,” she said.

MARKESHIA RICKS PHOTO

Abrams at Woolsey Hall as part of a two-day conference on democracy.

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with Abrams.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta asks a question while former U.S. Secretary Madeline Albright looks on.

“There never was a rash of voter fraud. We can’t get 50 percent of Americans to do anything. No one is putting on a wig and a mustache to vote twice.”

Kerry said his goal for the conference wasn’t to have partisan conversations that only one party (not Democrats) seems actively engaged in voter suppression.

Abrams concurred noting that the nation is changing and only one party (not Republicans) has tried to embrace that change.

Both Kerry and Abrams are Democrats.

“There is one party that is heterogeneous, that is intentionally diverse,” she said. “Not necessarily always great at managing that diversity but at least we know it exists.

“And there is another party that is shrinking demographically—that is homogeneous and that recognizes that the loss of power that is directly correlated with an increase in diversity means the diminution of not only power but resources and money and the ability to impose values,” Abrams continued. “When you recognize that that is happening you start to see every law and every rule in a different light.”

She has started an organization, Fair Fight Action, to press the issue of voter access to the ballot.

“What we have to do in 2020 is sound the alarm,” she said. “We have to talk about [voter supression] as relentlessly as the lie of voter fraud is spread. Because if we do not call it what it is we will not address it.”

Abrams said fighting voter suppression matters because it is key to pushing back against the authoritarian behavior of Trump, that is enabled by a Senate benefiting from what she called the president’s “ineptitude.”

“So yes, you get a tax cut. but also you get the war in Yemen,” she said. “Part of the responsibility we have is that we have to reclaim our international reputation, which cannot be reclaimed until we can prove that we are actually still a democracy. And that means a very robust engagement in the 2020 election not only to change the leadership. You can vote for a Democrat; you can vote for [third-party hopeful] William

Weld. It is most important that we replace the current occupant [of the White House] with someone who respects the presidency and respects the integrity of our international standing and that’s what we don’t have.”

When people don’t vote, can’t vote, or are kept from voting so that they won’t have a voice, it flies in the face of America’s centuries of democratic tradition, Abrams said.

“Why that terrifies me is that things don’t simply stop because America ceases to participate,” she said. “In fact, we know that there is an acceleration of the erosion of global democracy “We stand as an example of what should be because of how badly we have failed.

America is an example of why democracy is important because we have had to correct ourselves so many times. Acknowledging that black people are actually wholly human, acknowledging that women should be allowed to be part of the body politic, making Native Americans citizens, moving away from our fairly xenophobic immigration policies over time, each of those moments of correction stand as signals to the rest of the world that we can get better, not that democracy is perfect, that we are made more perfect by each of our corrections and that when we stop correcting ourselves, and worse when we celebrate our ignominy we undermine our value as part of an international conversation.”

Abrams concluded that this current moment in history is less a reignition of the Civil Rights movement and “more of an existential crisis” for the nation.

She said the right to vote is the only way the nation makes policy on climate change, reproductive choice, immigration. In a democracy, voting rights are for everyone, she said. And when certain groups are targeted for voter suppression.It erodes the rights of everyone.

“Whatever your issue is. The right to vote is the only mechanism,” she said. “The right to vote is one that is when guaranteed for all guarantees for all. We have to reclaim our democracy.”

Title X Injunction is a Victory for Patients and Health Care Providers Statement from Amanda Skinner, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

“Yesterday’s ruling by Judge Michael McShane of the US District Court for the District of Oregon is an incredible victory for our patients and health care providers. Blocking the Trump administration’s so-called ‘abortion gag rule’ from taking effect on May 3 ensures patients in Connecticut and Rhode Island can continue to access life-saving care through the federal Title X program, our nation’s only program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care.

“While this is a huge win for patients and providers, it is only temporary. This preliminary injunction provides relief for Title X patients and health care providers while

we continue to fight the Trump-Pence administration in court and in Congress to ensure our patients’ health and rights are protected.

“Millions of Americans rely on the Title X program for access to wellness exams, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, and other essential reproductive health services. The TrumpPence administration’s gag rule is a cruel, direct attack on our most vulnerable communities and anyone who can’t afford the rising costs of health care.

“If the gag rule takes effect, it will make it illegal for health care providers in the Title X program to refer patients for abortion

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and it will demand extraordinary ‘physical separation’ restrictions on any health center that provides, refers, or counsels patients on abortion. The gag rule will force providers across the country to mislead and lie to those seeking information. Because of our commitment to ethical patient care, it would be impossible for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England to participate in the program with the gag rule fully in place. We serve more than 38,000 people who rely on Title X—our patients deserve dignity, respect, honesty, and access to the health care they need.

“The Title X gag rule is unethical, dangerous, and illegal. Politicians have no right to

block care from patients or regulate what medical information health care providers can give. It is clear this administration is intent on dismantling the country’s family planning program and will stop at nothing to deny people with low incomes, people of color, immigrants, and underserved communities access to essential services. Patients cannot be kept in the dark about how to access health care, including abortion.

“Health care is a human right. We applaud the US District Court’s decision, and we won’t stop fighting until we protect access to health care through Title X.”

Top Yale Cops Seek To Rebuild Trust THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

by ALLAN APPEL

New Haven Independent

The Yale Police Department’s chief, assistant chief and two community officers showed up at Monday night’s East Rock Community Management Team meeting in the wake of a shooting last week in which one of their own pulled the trigger.

Although they came with no new details — the State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin is taking the lead on releasing information about the investigation into the shooting— the YPD brass brought a heartfelt acknowledgement that trust and legitimacy are at risk of being lost, may already have been lost. And they want to be part of retrieving it.

YPD Chief Ronnell Higgins conveyed that message to two dozen management team members at their usual meet-up spot, the mActivity Fitness Center on Nicoll Street.

It was the first community management team he has attended (he has been away on leave for personal family reasons) since last Tuesday’s incident, which has scared and outraged minority communities in both New Haven and Hamden. A Hamden officer and a Yale officer fired at least 16 rounds into a Honda Civic in Newhallville while two unarmed young people cowered inside. One of them, Stephanie Washington, ended up hit, treated at the hospital for torso and facial injuries. The Yale officer

ALLAN APPEL PHOTO Chief Higgins, at right, speaks with East Rocker resident Mark Aronson.

who filled, Terrance Pollack, was injured as well.

Higgins brought with him to the meeting YPD Asst. Chief Steven Woznyk and the YPD’s two community engagement officers, Martin Parker and Martha CedenoRoss.

When a commiserating friend told him that at least “no one had died in the incident, I disagreed. No one died, but something was lost,” Higgins recalled.

Higgins characterized that as feelings and attitudes of trust and legitimacy in the relationship between community and police,

kinds of scenarios. It was the second time that Dash had used the training in the field and the first time for Perrotti, who actually helps teach it to other officers. Dash, a former U.S. Army medic, said it’s a skill that, once learned, is easy to practice regularly.

He has a spare tourniquet and practices so that when he needs it, his training and muscle memory take over.

That’s what happened that night in Dwight.

“I saw the blood forcefully coming out of the wound,” Perotti said. Working together, Dash got the tourniquet around the man’s leg, while Perotti cinched it until the wound stopped bleeding.

“He was in and out,” Dash said of the man’s consciousness. “When we first got there he was alert. I was talking to him but after we put the tourniquet, he was out. I was trying to keep him awake.”

Perrotti estimated that from the time it took for him to call in the gunshots to the time where he and Dash got the tourniquet on the man wasn’t much more than two minutes. That’s good because the man likely only had one more minute before he would have bled to death from his wound.

The quick actions of the officers bought the man time time for an ambulance to get to the scene and race him to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Dash rode to the hospital with the man.

Perrotti stayed behind to secure the scene

with a supervisor before heading to the hospital to talk to another man who had also been shot.

The man made it through surgery. Both officers said they were glad to have the training and tools to give the man another chance at living.

The shooting victim survived.

“I’m extremely proud of these two officers. They represent the best of us,” said Acting Police Chief Otoniel Reyes.

“This is what policing is all about. That’s why we sign up to do this work.”

Perrotti noted that the tourniquet, applied properly, stops the most immediate problem the loss of blood long enough to get someone to the hospital. He should know: When he’s not working as a police officer, he’s a registered nurse in emergency services.

“It’s good for us and the community,” Perrotti said. “It’s a win-win.”

Perrotti and Dash were among the officers who advocated for having officers keep the tourniquets on their person and at the ready. They would like to see the training continue in the department. It matches well with why they both got into the policing.

Dash, 27, who hails from East Hampton and has been with the department for three years and four months, became a police officer because he didn’t want a traditional 9 to 5 that would have trapped him at a desk

and he committed the YPD to be part of the solution. “This CMT is part of that,” he said.

East Rock Alder Anna Festa asked Higgins if, while the state is heading the investigation, the YPD is doing its own investigation.

“Absolsutely,” Higgins replied, although he said it is the state’s attorney who has all the relevant information to make decisions at this point.

East Rock/Newhallville Alder Steve Winter reminded Higgins that lots of people in the neighborhood “on both sides of the hill” are traumatized by the event. Winter has visited homes on the block of Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street where the two officers New Haven trained Hamden Police officer Devin Eaton and YPD Officer Pollock sprayed the vehicle in question with bullets.

“There’s concern and confusion about the role of the Yale police,” Winter said.

East Rock resident Kevin McCarthy asked if Hamden police dispatch had contacted New Haven dispatch about heading over to Dixwell and Argyle in response to Hamden Officer Devin Eaton’s original call.

Winter said he had learned that they had not.

There was no hostility in the room toward the YPD, and the visit was courteously greeted. Several residents in attendance

expressed appreciation for the fairly regular presence of the YPD in the East Rock neighborhood, where so many Yale students and Yale-connected people live.

Still, Higgins reiterated what was at stake: “We hold our officers to the highest standards. To have people doubt the professionalism of the PD is concerning.”

He added that, pending the investigations, he is not drawing any conclusions about officer conduct except to say that no matter the ultimate findings, both “direct and indirect trauma” has taken place in the community.

“We work so very hard to build trust every single day. We have to regain all that,” he added.

Before the meeting concluded, Alder Winter pressed him on a related issue: New Haven’s newly reconstituted Civilian Review Board, which city alders created earlier this year.

“In January, we called for a memorandum of understanding between the YPD [and the city] regarding complaints,” Winter reminded him.

“We’ll talk to counsel,” and get you that, Higgins replied.

“You’re not aware [of any of that in the works]?

“We’ve got a lot going on,” replied Higgins.

Cops Save Shooting Victim’s Life

by MARKESHIA RICKS

New Haven Independent

Officer Joseph Perrotti and another officer were at the District 4 substation on Edgewood Avenue wrapping up their work on a domestic violence incident when Perrotti heard gunshots.

He called it in and made his way to Edgewood and Kensington.

Not too far away on Sherman Avenue, Officer Gregory Dash was working on a report while his partner was driving. Perrotti’s call came in over the radio. They immediately headed over to the scene of the shooting, where there were lots of people milling around, usually a dead giveaway that something bad has happened.

Sure enough, a man was lying on the sidewalk bleeding.

“I could immediately see the bright red arterial bleeding,” Perrotti recalled of the scene. It was about 8 p.m. on April 13; he and Dash got to work and quickly. They knew the bright red blood was a sign that the 22-year-old man didn’t have much time if he were going to survive his wound.

Their training kicked in.

Dash pulled out a tourniquet while Perrotti exposed the injury to confirm where on the man’s leg the blood was coming from.

Both men have taken part in recent New Haven Police Department training that outfitted officers with tourniquets for just these

6

MARKESHIA RICKS PHOTOS

Officers Perrotti and Dash at 1 Union Ave.

punching a time card.

“Every day is a new day,” he said of being a police officer. “It’s the kind of job, especially in New Haven, where you can do so much. The opportunities here are more prevalent. It’s definitely very rewarding.”

Perotti, 31, who has been on the job five

years, said he’s often asked which he likes better: being a nurse or being a cop.

“There are not many jobs as rewarding as this,” Perrotti said of being a police officer.

“But it’s apples and oranges. You’re helping people but you’re doing it in two totally different ways.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Released Man’s Freedom, & Faith, Restored tion coming at the start of Easter weekend.

“I feel blessed beyond words,” Anderson said now that he no longer faces the threat of being wrenched from the stable, crimefree life he has built for himself in New Haven over the past 13 years and sent to federal prison or put on federal parole in Philadelphia.

“My faith was tested, and my faith is restored. What a Good Friday.”

Thursday’s order marks the end of a tortuous limbo Anderson had found himself in ever since U.S. marshals came knocking on his door last month to inform him that he would be going to federal prison for 16 months.

He had already served three years in Connecticut state prison and had spent the past 13 years rebuilding his life in New Haven with two jobs, a two-bedroom condo in

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

Demetrius Anderson is fully, finally, a free man.

The 43-year-old Westville resident no longer faces the threat of prison or parole, thanks to a federal judge’s order recognizing that a man should not be punished for a decade-old miscommunication between the state and federal judicial systems.

Anderson learned that good news on Friday, the day after Philadelphia federal district Judge Paul Diamond signed an order formally releasing him from a three-year sentence of supervised release related to a crime he had pleaded guilty to over 13 years ago.

A devout Christian and member of the Joy Temple Church on Howard Avenue, Anderson marveled at the timing of his exonera-

THOMAS BREEN PHOTO

Anderson with judge’s order: “What a Good Friday!”

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Westville, a church family in the Hill, and no new arrests. The federal court nevertheless pursued locking him up again because of an apparent miscommunication between the Connecticut state and Pennsylvania federal judicial systems back in 2006 that led to marshals failing to retrieve him to move to federal prison after his stint in state custody.

After the Independent first broke the story of Anderson’s re-arrest at the end of March, Anderson and his local attorney Michael Dolan garnered local, national, and international press, even driving down to New York City for an interview with Don Lemon on CNN. As Anderson’s story was told and re-told again and again, the federal Bureau of Prisons almost immediately recalculated

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Outrage Over Shooting Shuts Down Streets

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

Hundreds of students and community activists joined hands to close downtown streets for nearly seven hours in protest of the Yale and Hamden police officers who shot at two unarmed people in Newhallville.

The passionate, extended, and peaceful demonstration saw town and gown momentarily united in outrage over Tuesday’s shooting of 22-year-old Stephanie Washington by Hamden Police Officer Devin Eaton and Yale Police Officer Terrence Pollack.

The two officers are both on administrative leave as the state’s attorney’s office investigates the shooting of Washington and arrest, and subsequent release, of her companion Paul Witherspoon. Witherspoon is preparing a lawsuit against the town and the university, according to his attorney.

Walking up York Street.

With bullhorns, hand drums, protest placards, and yellow flowers in hand, the nearly 500 protesters marched down and around Broadway, College Street, M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, and York Street from 5 p.m. to midnight, rousing passerby out of their apartments and dorms and into the streets with calls of “No justice! No peace!” and “When black lives are under attack / What do we do? Stand up! Fight back!” and “Which side are you on, my people?

Which side are you on?”

As with similar protests that flooded Dixwell Avenue on Tuesday and Hillhouse Avenue on Wednesday, Thursday’s demonstration was organized by a coalition of local police accountability groups, including People Against Police Brutality, Black Lives Matter New Haven, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Justice for Jayson, and the Connecticut Bail Fund.

Thursday’s protest was also organized by the Sex Workers and Allies Network (SWAN) and the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project.

The marchers were escorted through the streets by swarms of New Haven police officers, who blocked traffic at every intersection the group approached and largely stood back as the protesters issued their demands for justice for the Washington and Witherspoon.

“Police violence is a crisis across Connecticut for black and brown communities, for very low income communities, for queer communities, for trans commnities,” one of the protest’s chief organizers, Kerry Ellington, said as the crowd paused and kneeled at the intersection of Crowd and George.

Although she held a bullhorn in her hand, the hundreds of people before her amplified her message via a “people’s mic,” whereby protesters at the front of the crowd repeated Ellington’s words, and then the group behind them did the same, creating a wave of collective speech with every sentence.

THOMAS BREEN PHOTOS

Protesters shut down city streets in outrage over Tuesday’s shooting.

8

“It is a crisis, and we need help now. This is a cry for help. This is a demand for justice. We want justice for Stephanie Washington and justice for Paul Witherspoon.

We want the officers responsible for their shooting to be arrested. We want Devin Eaton of the Hamden Police Department and Terrance Pollock of the Yale Police Department fired immediately.”

Ellington called on both police departments to release body camera footage from the shooting immediately, and not to wait until the end of the state’s investigation. (Hamden’s police spokesman reported Thursday night that the state’s attorney’s office will not authorize release of body camera footage yet, for fear of jeopardizing its investigation into the shooting.) And Ellington asked why two people who have not been charged with anything by the police so far were met with a volley of at least 16 bullets by people sworn to protect the public.

“It’s unacceptable,” she said. “It’s unconscionable. It’s police terror. It’s police violence. We won’t stand for it. We’re not fucking around. We don’t care about your laws for traffic when you’re gunning us down.”

As the group breached a blockade of police cars at College and M.L.K. Jr. Blvd., veteran activist Norm Clement picked up his bullhorn and gave the students in attendance a brief history lesson on his own recent experience blocking off Downtown streets.

He recalled how, two and a half years ago, he helped lead a protest against President Donald Trump’s first immigrant and refugee ban that resulted in him getting pepper sprayed by the state police and having a police dog named Nero sicced on him.

“When the community does this,” he said about the protest, “we get attacked. We get taken down. We get beaten up. I just want you to fucking realize what a privilege you have in this city.”

Kahlil Greene, Yale’s new student body president, echoed Clement’s sentiment that Yalies must recognize the privilege they have in being able to block off city streets for hours on end with little fear of any kind of repercussions.

“I know finals are coming,” he said. “I know you’ve got exams and essays. But I want you to stay out here. Because we live in gated communities and people in New Haven do not live in gated communities.

When we go back to our dorms, they’re still out here fighting. And when we graduate, they’re still out here.”

As the marchers descended on Broadway and College at midnight for a final moment of silence and round of chanting to gear up for another protest planned for Hamden Plaza on Friday afternoon, Acting City Police Chief Otoniel Reyes hung just outside the circle, watching quietly.

He praised his officers for acting professionally throughout, for both protecting the protesters and treating them with respect.

And he praised the protesters, too, for keeping the march peaceful.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Post-Shooting, Focus On Suburban Cops

by MARKESHIA RICKS & PAUL BASS New Haven Independent

As the public awaits the impending release of body camera footage of a police shooting of an unarmed woman in Newhallville, attention turned Monday to establishing a new set of rules for how suburban cops pursue suspects into New Haven.

The Rev. Boise Kimber and fellow clergy raised that issue among others in an hourlong closed-door sit-down Monday morning with New Haven State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, and Mayor Toni Harp echoed it on radio.

They met to discuss last week’s earlymorning volley of bullets fired by a Yale and a Hamden cop into a car on Dixwell Avenue with two unarmed people inside, sending a female passenger to the hospital with bullet wounds to the torso and facial injuries.

Speaking to reporters, Kimber said he couldn’t go into great detail about what was discussed with Griffin but he said he and fellow ministers came away from the meeting more confident about the ongoing investigation.

“He has assured us and this community that we can look for justice to prevail,” Kimber said of Griffin. Kimber said that the ministers were told that the footage that has already been released has been sent to the state lab for enhancement but the body camera footage from the Hamden officer would be coming this week.

“We believe that this office here is going to be honest and true with this community,” Kimber added.

Kimber said while the investigation is happening, the ministers plan to head to Hamden’s town council meeting Monday night to talk with leaders about the community’s expectations for the police department and about urban trauma training. He also said the group of ministers also will be making similar plans to talk with leaders in West Haven, East Haven, North Haven, and more talks with Yale University.

Meanwhile, Mayor Toni Harp echoed a call for new written agreements with suburban towns about protocol for police bordercrossing as well as training.

Speaking on the latest edition of NHH FM’s “Mayor Monday” program, Harp called that “one of the lessons” so far of last week’s shooting.

She noted that state law allows cops to cross town lines to pursue suspects. And she noted that several suburban communities border New haven.

“We’ve got to [work on] the relationships with East Haven, with West Haven, with North Haven,” Harp said. “Our town is too small; there are too many towns that abuts us.” So New Haven needs to have clear written protocoals with each of those towns, she said.

Harp said that in private discussions officials have talked about reaching out for guidance to, among others, Yale Law School’s Tracey Meares, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and has helped train cops nationwide on “procedural justice,” or building police-civilian trust. “Tracey Meares has been on the leading edge of translating

YALE LAW SCHOOL Tracey Meares: National cop-community trust guru, based here.

MARKESHIA RICKS PHOTO

the principles of justice and legitimacy,” former New Orleans and Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas is quoted as saying in this Yale Alumni Magazine profile of Meares and her work.

Meares and fellow Yale Law Professor Tom Tyler founded The Justice Collaboratory. The collaboratory combines theory and empirical research in promoting criminal justice reform.

“It is our view that police, in general, whether urban or suburban, should be trained about contexts that will affect their job,” said Meares, who was a member of President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, argued in an email message Monday.

Tyler said their initiative links police departments with experts to help with this kind of training, for which he said last week’s shooting demonstrated a definite need.

He suggested that in this case, deescalation training might be more important than the urban-suburban concern.

“One aspect of de-escalation training is that unless there is an immediate threat to others officers shelter behind cars and encourage a suspect to emerge in a manner that allows them to determine whether the suspect is armed from a safe location,” Tyler stated.

“This means that officers are not in danger and can keep the level of force low. From that point of view the question is why the

Kimber with fellow ministers Monday outside Superior Court.

Hamden officer emerged from his car so close to the suspect vehicle and in a manner that put him in immediate threat if the suspect had been armed. The officer could have driven further and turned his car to face the suspect car thereby giving them shelter. From that safe location they could have ordered the occupants to get out of the car and lie on the street. That procedure is taught in many departments and I am not sure why it was not utilized in this situation.”

Also Monday, the state’s attorney’s office reported that it has obtained a warrant to search the shot-up vehicle, a precursor to releasing a long-awaited police body camera video later this week.

Protesters Storm PD Seeking Answers In Officer-Involved Shooting; Officials Mum

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

Hundreds of protesters massed up and down Dixwell Avenue in two separate rallies late Tuesday demanding answers about why a young woman was shot and a young man arrested in New Haven by Hamden police earlier in the day.

Officials refused to offer any, down to otherwise routinely disclosed details.

Hamden’s acting police chief, deputy police chief, and mayor all told the upset crowds that they could share virtually nothing about the incident, which is being investigated by the state attorney’s office.

Tuesday’s rapidly organized outpourings of community grief over the shooting of 22-year-old Stephanie Washington and the arrest of 21-year-old Paul Witherspoon took place over the course of two large gatherings at either end of Dixwell Avenue: one in the late afternoon outside the Hamden Police headquarters at 2900 Dixwell, one in the early evening at the corner of Dixwell and Argyle Street in New Haven, where Hamden and Yale police shot at the two young people in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Both rallies brought out well over 150 people, who chanted, shouted, and wept as they demanded that Hamden police imme-

Hamden Deputy Police Chief Bo Kicak and Shareef.

Hamden Acting Police Chief John Cappiello shares few details at New Haven rally.

9

diately release body camera footage from Tuesday morning’s shooting, fire the officers involved, and start treating the African American communities they police like neighbors, not like animals.

Speakers at both rallies continually referenced video recordings of the shootings that have already leaked, and that seem to show a Hamden officer running out of his police car and firing multiple rounds into a parked Honda Civic whose occupant obeyed an order to come out, then ducked back in when bullets started flying, including some fired by a back-up cop from Yale’s police force.

One bullet struck the torso of Stephanie Washington, who was in the passenger seat; she was subsequently taken to the hospital for surgery. Hamden police allegedly crossed the town line into New Haven to find the car based on a report of a possible attempted robbery. No weapons were reportedly found in the car, nor any evidence reported of anyone involved disobeying the cops.

“Police officers should not be held to different standards than civilians,” anti-police brutality activist Kerry Ellington said at both the Hamden and the New Haven rallies. “We all saw the footage today.”

And yet, Hamden Acting Police Chief John

Cappiello, Hamden Deputy Police Chief Bo Kicak, and Hamden Mayor Curt Leng all told the protesters that, because the state attorney’s office is investigating the case, they cannot release the body camera footage or any other details about what might have happened Tuesday morning. They did confirm that the officer involved has been put on administrative duty.

The evening protest’s crowd had to wait until Witherspoon’s mother took the microphone to know that Witherspoon had been released from police custody, and hadn’t been charged with any crimes.

One local attorney, Norm Pattis, told the Independent that, while police are entitled to keep body camera footage private during a state investigation of an officer-involved shooting that leads to a fatality, he is not so sure that that holds true for shootings where the victims are not killed.

Police have discretion. Local police have taken varying approaches to how much information to release about events under investigation. Hamden is so far taking a position on one extreme of the spectrum.

A state trooper, for instance, did provide some details of the official version Tuesday afternoon, while Hamden officials have refused even to offer names of people inCon’t on page 13

Public Seeks Independent Probe THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

by SAM GURWITT

New Haven Independent

Citizens from Hamden, New Haven, and around the area gave the Hamden Legislative Council a clear demand Monday night: fund an independent investigation into last week’s police shooting of Stephanie Washington and Paul Witherspoon.

The council listened for almost five hours in the packed Legislative Council chamber as some 50 people got up to give their recommendations, demands, and stories. Instead of holding a deliberation session on the police department budget, the council turned the evening into a listening session.

Last Tuesday, Hamden Police Officer Devin Eaton and Yale Police Officer Terrance Pollock opened fire on a parked Honda Civic in Newhallville in which sat two unarmed people, Paul Witherspoon and Stephanie Washington. At least one of the at least 16 bullets fired hit Washington, 22, in the torso; she went to the hospital with torso and facial injuries.

The case is currently under investigation by the state attorney’s office and state police. Speakers Monday night asked that instead of waiting for the results of the state’s investigation, which they said might be biased and fail to deliver justice for Washington and Witherspoon, the council should authorize money to hire an independent investigator.

“The police cannot police the police,” said New Haven Hill Alder Ron Hurt, who is also a preacher at Deliverance Temple.

Hurt, like other speakers, demanded that the council allocate at least $50,000 to hiring an investigator or arbiter.

“Fifty thousand dollars is a small price to

pay because black lives matter,” said the Rev. Scott Marks of New Haven. Marks said that when he’s driving up Dixwell Avenue and he gets to the Hamden line, the first thing he thinks about is the police. He said the Hamden police tend to racially profile citizens, a practice he traced back to the redlining of neighborhoods in the 1930s.

“People find money when it’s important.

This is important to survival and the relationship of Hamden and New Haven,” said the Rev. Boise Kimber of First Calvary Baptist Church.

“I come here to address you tonight with 233 years of injustice that’s happened here,” he said.

“I firmly believe that budgets are moral documents,” said Spring Glen Church Rev. Jack Perkins Davidson. He said that the council had heard what community members had to say, and that he hoped they would reflect it in their decisions about how to spend money.

New Haven Activist Kerry Ellington said that she hopes an independent investigation will be able to report to the community what happened, and that it should start immediately. She said that she also believes that Hamden’s Police Commission, which has the power to suspend an officer, should not be silent, as it has been up until this point.

Council members appeared open to the idea, though they said they did not know exactly how it would work.

“I have no issue with it. However, it has to be done correctly whereby we can compel cooperation from the various entities,” said District 8 Rep. Jim Pascarella. He explained that the council does not have sub-

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

SAM GURWITT PHOTO Rodney Williams, uncle of

Paul Witherspoon, in addresses Hamden council.

New Haven Alder Ron Hurt.

Roxana Walker-Canton, David Canton, and James Outlaw wait to speak.

poena power, meaning the council cannot force anyone to testify before an investigator. All oversight over the police department, he said, is the responsibility of the Police Commission, which has power over personnel decisions in the department.

“Procedurally there are some complications we’d have to figure out,” said Council President Mick McGarry.

Mayor Curt Leng said that the town is ready to conduct its own investigation, pending the outcome of the currently underway investigation at the state level.

“Hamden is fully ready to complete its own investigation, including potential for an independent one, depending on the outcome of the current independent state police special crime division review ongoing right now,” he said. He added that he has heard from the state that it will release the body camera footage either Tuesday or Wednesday, another demand of the speakers at Monday’s council meeting.

Speakers at the hearing also demanded that Leng and Acting Police Chief John Cappiello fire Officer Eaton, that the town release the body camera footage and that the town abandon its plans to put two school resource officers in the town’s elementary schools.

The council is scheduled to meet again on April 30 to discuss the police department’s budget, then hold its next regular meeting on May 6.

At Monday night’s meeting, activists vowed to return to hold the council accountable.

“We will be here May 6 with the house packed to make sure you pass this resolution,” Ellington vowed.

S AT U R D AY

JUNE 1 COLLEGESTREETMUSICHALL.COM

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

The Community Foundation's Kara Straun Receives Prestigious Award Detroit, Mich. (April 12, 2019) - The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s (The Foundation) Kara Straun receives the Association of Black Foundation Executives’ (ABFE) Philanthropic Emerging Leadership Award on April 5 in Detroit. In the attached photo, Kara (right) poses with AFBE’s Vice President of Programs Edward Jones (left) at the James A. Joseph Lecture & Awards Ceremony at ABFE’s annual conference, this year titled “HARAMBEE: Let’s All Pull Together.” In her address, Straun says, “I look at this award less as an acknowledgment of any great facts achieved thus far, but a call to action and challenge to do more, to continue connecting dots and work for that balance and healing for people of color and those most disenfranchised.” The event honors those, like Straun whose innovative leadership promotes philanthropy as a vehicle for social change. Straun has worked at The Foundation since 2013. She was honored by ABFE for her guidance to local nonprofits and leaders in the Greater New Haven region, as well as her support of The Community Fund for Women and Girls, a component fund of The Foundation.

ABFE advocates for responsive and transformative investments, while leveraging resources for the advancement of black communities.

About The Community Foundation Thanks to the generosity of three generations of donors, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven gave $34.6 million in grants and distributions in 2018. The endowment was valued at approximately $570 million at year end 2018 and is composed of hundreds of individually named funds. In addition to its grantmaking, The Community Foundation helps build a stronger commu-

nity by leading on issues and supporting donors and nonprofits in creating a community of opportunity for all. The Foundation’s 20 town service area includes: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven, Woodbridge. For more information about The Community Foundation, visit www.cfgnh.org, find us on Facebook at www. facebook.org/cfgnh or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cfgnh.

Con’t from page 07

Released Man’s Freedom,

his recommended federal prison sentence down to zero, crediting him for time served as a free man over the past 13 years.

And on April 2, the Philadelphia U.S. attorney and federal defender even issued a joint motion to Judge Diamond in which they both requested that the judge clear Anderson of his 2005 sentence of three years on supervised release, and to vacate the judge’s outstanding bench warrant for his arrest.

For over two weeks, the judge refused to sign the joint motion. Up until Friday morning, Anderson and Dolan still thought they would be going to court in Philadelphia on May 1 for a hearing before Diamond himself.

But on Thursday, Diamond issued his order. The six-page document grants all of the terms of the April 2 joint motion.

It credits Anderson with time at liberty for his unserved three-year supervision term, and recognizes that term as satisfied. It exonerates him from the unsecured $50,000 bond Anderson had signed on March 20 in district court in Connecticut in order to get out of prison prior to his hearing. It establishes a payment plan for restitution Anderson has agreed to pay related to the original 2005 charges. It vacates Diamond’s latest bench warrant for Anderson’s arrest. And it cancels Anderson’s May 1 court hearing in Philadelphia.

“The Parties agree that Connecticut authorities released Defendant mistakenly,”

Daimond writes. “There is no evidence that Defendant evaded federal authorities since he has been at liberty. It also appears that federal authorities were negligent in allowing Defendant to remain at liberty in the circumstances presented. ... Finally, Defendant has not been arrested or convicted of any criminal offenses while at liberty.”

“Thank goodness there were some more compassionate and thoughtful judges who gave Demetrius the benefit of the doubt and let him remain at liberty as we sorted the issue out,” Dolan said as he reflected on the hard-fought victory in the face of a federal judicial system that had initially been set on locking Anderson up.

“The system assumes the worst,” he said, “and you have to fight your way out of the negative assumptions.”

Amidst his own joy and relief of having this episode in his life firmly behind him, Anderson said that he will not easily shake the trauma of having been threatened with

prison, and then parole, so many years after he had fully rehabilitated himself.

“This is about injustice and holding people accountable,” he said, calling on the federal court system to issue him a formal apology and to exonerate any other defendants with decade-old unenforced sentences whom the court might be pursuing at this time.

Now that he is fully free, he said he plans to commit himself to fighting for criminal justice reform so that no one else will have to go through what he went through this past month. “At first, I was saying, ‘Why me?’” he said. “Now, I can say, ‘Why not me?’”

And as for this weekend, he knows exactly how he will be celebrating Easter Sunday. With his church family, on Howard Avenue, praising God and the community that stood and stands behind him.

“I thank God,” he said as he looked at a print-out of the judge’s order. “I can’t thank him enough.”

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4/15/19 4/15/19 5:56 5:56 PM PM

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Homeless Persons Cannot Be Punished for Sleeping in Absence of Alternatives, 9th Circuit Decision Establishes

imposition of criminal penalties for sitting, sleeping, or lying outside on public property for homeless individuals who cannot obtain shelter,’” said Michael Bern, lead pro bono counsel from Latham & Watkins, who argued the case before the Ninth Circuit.

“As the Department of Justice recognized earlier in this case, ‘[c]riminalizing public sleeping in cities with insufficient housing and support for homeless individuals does not improve public safety outcomes or reduce the factors that contribute to homelessness.’ With today’s decision, we hope that cities can redirect their efforts to identifying meaningful and constitutional solutions to the problem of homelessness.”

This case is part of a nationwide movement against the criminalization of homelessness, spearheaded by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and more than 850 groups and individuals who have endorsed the Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign.

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, NNPA Newswire Contributor

People experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the west coast states of the Ninth Circuit can sleep more safely, without facing criminal punishment for simply trying to survive on the streets. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an en banc petition by the city of Boise in Martin v. Boise (formerly Bell v. Boise), leaving in place its September 2018 ruling that homeless persons cannot be punished for sleeping outside on public property in the absence of adequate alternatives. In so holding, the court of appeals permitted the homeless individuals who have received criminal citations under Boise’s policy to proceed with their constitutional claims against the City.

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, which filed the case in 2009 with co-counsel Idaho Legal Aid Services and Latham & Watkins LLP, hails this decision as being essential to encouraging cities to propose constructive alternatives to homelessness.

“Criminally punishing homeless people for sleeping on the street when they have nowhere else to go is inhumane, and we applaud the Court for ruling that it is also unconstitutional,” said Maria Foscarinis, executive director at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. “It’s time for Boise to stop trying to hide its homelessness problem with unconstitutional ordinances, and start proposing real solutions.”

The case challenges Boise’s enforcement of its Camping and Disorderly Conduct Ordinances against persons experiencing homelessness who need to sleep in public in the absence of adequate housing or shelter. Last September, a panel of the Ninth Circuit agreed with the central premise in the suit, holding that “as long as there is no

option of sleeping indoors, the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter.” Following that ruling, the city of Boise petitioned the Ninth Circuit to rehear the case en banc. Today, the court rejected that request, thereby affirming that within the western states that make up the Ninth Circuit, “the Eighth Amendment preclude[s] the enforcement of a statute prohibiting sleeping outside against homeless individuals with no access to alternative shelter.”

“Today, the court says that people experiencing homelessness cannot be punished for sleeping or sheltering on the streets in the absence of alternatives,” said Eric Tars, Legal Director at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. “But our hope

is that tomorrow, cities will begin to create those alternatives—getting homeless people into housing is a win-win approach, benefitting both the individuals helped and the communities that no longer have to deal with the negative impacts of people living in public spaces, at lower cost than cycling people through the criminal justice system.”

The case gained national attention in 2015 when the United States Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest brief in the case, arguing that making it a crime for people who are homeless to sleep in public places unconstitutionally punishes them for being homeless.

“The outcome of Court’s decision will support cities who are addressing real solutions to the complex issues faced by homeless individuals and families rather than just

create more barriers and fill more jails with persons who only needed a place to sleep for the night,” said Howard Belodoff, of Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. “Boise can be one of those cities—it has the resources, it just needs to apply them correctly.”

Judge Berzon, in her opinion, notes that the decision, while important, is unlikely to impose dire consequences on cities.

“The distressing homelessness problem… has grown into a crisis for many reasons, among them the cost of housing, the drying up of affordable care for people with mental illness, and the failure to provide adequate treatment for drug addiction. The crisis continued to burgeon while ordinances forbidding sleeping in public were on the books and sometimes enforced.”

“We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit held that the Constitution ‘prohibits the

The court’s decision can be read here.

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty is the only national organization dedicated solely to using the power of the law to prevent and end homelessness. With the support of a large network of pro bono lawyers, we address the immediate and long-term needs of people who are homeless or at risk through outreach and training, advocacy, impact litigation, and public education. The Housing Not Handcuffs campaign is a project supported by the AmeriCorps VISTA program.

This case is part of a nationwide movement against the criminalization of homelessness, spearheaded by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and more than 850 groups and individuals who have endorsed the Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

A Brief History of the Origin of Soul Food BlackNews.com

The mention of soul food evokes an image that instantly invigorates each of your senses. You imagine the most satisfying of comfort foods, like fried chicken, corn bread, and collard greens. A very rich culture surrounds soul food, and its history runs deep.

Slaves brought many of their recipes with them to America, and slave ships transported some of their crops, as well. Okra, watermelon, and coffee all came to America from Africa.

Slave owners would often give their slaves the most undesirable parts of the animal, such as pig feet and intestines, to eat.

Slaves owners also let slaves cultivate their own garden plots to lower the costs of feeding them. As a result, slaves adapted by inventing their own unique cooking methods.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, AfricanAmerican cuisine began to merge with the food of European immigrants. Dishes such as ham and macaroni and cheese became staples in the Black community. Around

that time, Black cooks often served these meals at church gatherings; the best meals were usually served on Sundays.

The term “soul food” did not originate until sometime in the 1960s. Although we don’t know when phrase was first used, Alex Haley used the phrase in his 1965 novel The Autobiography of Malcom X. In 1962, Sylvia Woods opened her eponymous restaurant. The establishment quickly became a soul food staple. Her restaurant featured several Southern classics and became a draw for politicians and tourists.

Called “the queen of soul food,” Sylvia played an important role in the popularization of soul food.

In the 60s, the influence of soul food began to grow rapidly. The hip-hop artists of the 90s frequently used the term, and today, most people are familiar with the culture of soul food.

When you sit down for your next family meal, take a moment to consider their history of the dishes in front of you. The meal you’re eating may have originated genera-

tions ago, perhaps when families relayed their recipes by ear instead of by paper. The culmination of their struggles and their vic-

12

tories is what created the culture we live in today. As you prepare these meals and pass them down to your own children, know that

you, too, will become a key player in this continuing narrative.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019 Con’t from page 09

Protesters Storm PD Seeking Answers In Officer-Involved Shooting; Officials Mum

volved or charges originally considered.

In New Haven, police officials have weighed what evidence needs to be withheld in ongoing investigations in order not to prejudice interviews, while sometimes seeking to release as much other information as quickly as possible in order to quell rumors and gain public trust.

For instance, they waited a few days to release body camera footage about a controversial tasing of a suspect in a bodega to protect the integrity of certain parts of the investigation, then promptly made the video available to address public concerns and in the spirit of the body cam program’s original stated purpose.

In an officer-involved shooting in Fair Haven, even though state police immediately took over the investigation, local top cops were able to provide some basic details to address public concerns without jeopardizing evidence collection.

In Tuesday’s Hamden case, officials there took the complete no-information route, refusing to release even names and ages or the status or details of the arrest, leaving it up to social media to fill in details that proved in some cases accurate, in others not.

The Hamden rally began at around 5:30, as organized by a coalition of local policeaccountability groups, including People Against Police Brutality, Black Lives Matter New Haven, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Justice for Jayson, and the Connecticut Bail Fund.

Barbara Fair, Remidy Shareef, and Norm Clement joined Washington’s friends at the early stages of the protest outside of the Hamden Police headquarters at 2900 Dixwell Ave. to wave signs and shout with tears rolling down their cheeks about the injustice of Hamden police shooting Washington multiple times.

“What they need to understand is that this is not a Hamden, Connecticut problem,” Shareef said. “Or a New Haven problem.

This is an American cultural problem. This isn’t just about Hamden, or New Haven, or wherever. They’re killing us everywhere.

And the bullshit’s got to stop.

“I’m saying this as a black man. I’m tired of seeing our babies, our mothers, our women dying because they’re not protected by the police force or by the men in their community. So now this got to be taken to a whole nother level. Because if my kids can’t be safe, then ain’t nobody gonna be safe.”

Fair agreed. She said that these types of rallies, this type of outrage, shouldn’t happen in response just to one shooting, and it shouldn’t happen just in the streets. This level of outrage has to be maintained day in, day out, she said, in order for systemic change to happen. And it needs to be brought into places of power. Like the police headquarters itself.

Which is exactly what the crowd decided to do.

Led by Shareef and Fair, over 100 people flooded the atrium of the police department’s headquarters, demanding to talk with the chief or the highest ranking officer on duty.

After 20 minutes of shouting chanting and

QUEEN

Tuesday night’s rally at Dixwell and Argyle.

stilted conversation with officers between a thick pane of glass, Kicak came out to talk with the protesters.

But, besides meeting the protesters face to face, the Hamden deputy police chief shared little with the group.

“Obviously, one of our officers was involved in an unfortunate incident,” he said.

“I cannot go into the details as to what transpired. An individual was unfortunately shot.”

“Stephanie Washington!” someone shouted from the crowd.

“I do not know the young lady,” he said.

“The Connecticut state police are at this time conducting a thorough and independent investigation. I do not have the authority to give any specifics as to what transpired. If anybody’s looking for any specifics, you will have to turn to them.”

Fair pushed Kicek to put pressure on the state investigators to complete their review expeditiously, so that a hurting community can understand what exactly happened Tuesday morning.

“I will do everything that I can,” he said.

Hungry for answers, the protesters received little more news on what transpired early Tuesday when the rally moved at around 7 p.m. down to Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street, just outside of where the shooting had taken place roughly 13 hours before.

Acting New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes confirmed that New Haven police officers were not involved with Tuesday morning’s shooting.

“I want to commend the leadership of the Hamden Police Dept because they’re not hiding in an office,” Reyes said. “They’re here. They’re here to show face for what happened today. and that’s all we can ask of our leadership. Is that correct?”

“No!” members of the crowd shouted back.

By the time the crowd had quieted down, Reyes continued.

“Today we had a shooting in our streets,” he said. “There was an incident that hap-

LATIFAH

pened in Hamden, and it played out, and it ended here. Out of respect to the investigation, I want to refrain from giving too many details.

“At the end of the day, I’m not here to convince you of anything other than what you may have seen in that video. But what I’m asking you to do, and I’m asking every member of this community, is to understand that we have an opportunity to shape the narrative here. And we have a responsibility to our young people in this community to go about justice in the right way. We’re going to make sure that this is a transparent investigation. We’re gonna make sure that people are held accountable if they did something that’s inconsistent with the expectations. That’s all we can promise you.”

Hamden Mayor Curt Leng had little more to share.

“I’m angry too,” the Hamden mayor said.

“We’re all angry. And I can’t ask you to believe me that we’re gonna do the right thing. And i understand that. I ask one thing. I ask you to believe in the actions that are taken. One of the things that’s very difficult about being mayor, about being a police chief, about being a leader in some of the government entities is that when investigations happen, we’re not allowed to talk about things, because if we talk about them, we taint the investigation.”

Hamden Acting Chief Cappiello said the first thing he did upon hearing of the shooting was call the New Haven State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin and ask him to conduct a thorough, independent investigation of what had happened.

“Once that happens,” he said, “we lose control of the investigation.” And the body camera footage, the cop car footage, the officer’s equipment and all other potential evidence become the temporary property of the state attorney’s office.

“At this point in time,” he said, “I can just put the officer on administrative leave.”

Which he did.

13

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Classroom Culture Clashes THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

COMMENTARY:

by Oscar H. Blayton No person in his or her right mind will deny that America is a thicket of racism, misogyny, entitlement for the wealthy, dishonesty, and a fictitious veneer of meritocracy.

So, it is befitting that we have an occupant in the White House who exemplifies all these things.

Donald Trump clearly displayed his many loathsome traits before being elected to the highest office in the land. He also proved that he had neither the knowledge nor the understanding necessary to competently lead a nuclear power.

The only believable aptitude that his campaign presented to the American electorate was his abiding belief in white supremacy.

And he rode that one trick pony all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

After occupying the Oval Office for more than two years, Trump has had his corrupt and illegal practices laid out in more than 400 pages of a government report produced by a team of investigators and lawyers led

by Special Counsel, Robert Mueller.

Political pundits have expressed their shock and surprise at the depth of Trump’s immorality. The legion of lies, his schemes to overthrow the rule of law and his constant efforts to obstruct justice were revealed in page after page of Mueller’s report.

But the most surprising thing about this episode of America’s history is not Trump’s immortality, but the sense of surprise – real or pretended – expressed by members of the major media outlets.

When you climb into a pigpen to kiss a hog, you should not be surprised by what winds up on your lips. And many Americans have been French kissing this swine for more than two years.

The question now should not be “How did things come to this?” The answer is clear.

We elected a villain to the White House.

The question we must now answer is: “How do we rid the American body politic of this cancer?”

Some Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are counseling against impeaching Trump. Instead, they

COMMENTARY:

By Barbara D. Parks-Lee, Ph.D., CF, NBCT (ret.), NNPA ESSA Awareness Campaign What is the fallacy when someone says, “I don’t see color?” Immediately, when someone says this to me, a woman of color, two thoughts cross my mind. The first one is, “Is there some congenital abnormality that negates the ability to perceive colors?” The second, if more visceral: “If you don’t see color, does that render me invisible, unimportant, or not worthy to be seen?”

This statement prickles the hairs on the back of my neck. For, too often, these words are spoken by a white person to someone black or brown.

It almost fits into the trite utterance of “I have some (or a) black (or brown) friends,” or, another, “You are not like them.” So, if you do not see color, how do you know you have some friends of color or that I am not like the illusive “them,” presumably others of color?

Many of us have prejudices and/or ste-

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

call for the American voters to turn him out of office in 2020. Fearful of losing their seats by angering conservatives, these shameful Congress members are asking voters to do the job they were elected to do.

Cowering before small but vocal segments of their constituencies, these self-serving politicians are willing, for the sake of their own re-elections, to surrender the public good to the worst elements of our society.

When these politicians make their next predictable pilgrimages to Black churches and neighborhoods seeking what they believe are “guaranteed” Democratic votes,

they should be pressed on why they did not see fit to protect the American people and move to impeach No. 45. Every day Trump remains in office is a threat to the well-being of people of color. His policies diminish our quality of life and the tone he sets in the White House gives license to those in America whose hateful, racist inner demons have waited decades for a chance to wreak havoc on their victims.

For months, Robert Mueller was hailed as the hero who had ridden in on his white horse to make everything right in Washington. But his report disappoints by fail-

ing to call out Trump’s illegal actions for what they are. Anecdotes in the Mueller Report confirming already well-founded suspicions and widely known violations of law that had been reported in the media for months did little to further inform the public of Trump’s wrongdoings. And in its present form, the report is subject to manipulation by Trump allies to normalize his behavior and anesthetize the American people to the abuse heaped upon us daily by this administration.

Anyone who cannot see an attempted conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government is simply choosing not to look. Anyone who is not convinced that Trump clearly obstructed – and attempted to obstruct – justice is choosing to abandon the rule of law.

Trump committed his many crimes in full view of the American public, so the facts laid out in the Mueller report should come as no surprise.

Right-thinking Americans should not allow politicians to be surprised at the contents of the Mueller report. Any politician who expresses such surprise is either too dishonest or too stupid to be returned to office.

Right-thinking Americans should not allow politicians to shirk from legitimate efforts to impeach Donald Trump. If they are too cowardly to weather the turmoil of an impeachment process, they should pack their bags, leave Washington and look for another line of work.

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

Color “Blindness”

reotypes of those we view as “other” or ones different from ourselves in some way. It might be that culture, religious belief, ethnicity, gender, class, marital status, socio-economic status, or one or more of the –isms influence our perceptions. Some biases are so inculcated that, from infancy, we are programmed to have fears, stereotypes, and negative views of those unlike ourselves.

One part of this kind of fallacious thinking may hinge on the fact that in order for some groups to feel righteous and superior, other groups must have to be viewed as dangerous and/or inferior.

Our perceptions of the value of ourselves and others often determine our treatment of and reactions toward those we view as less than or not as valued. Wars are fought over cultural and religious differences. Regardless of the injury, all people’s blood is red and all of us can hurt or grieve, regardless of color.

In the classrooms across the United States, many children of color—and we all have

a color are castigated, segregated, and under-educated by least-qualified teachers who are sent in to work with children most needy.

As our schools become more multicultural, many of their teachers are becoming more monocultural and unprepared to acknowledge cultural differences, different styles of learning, or ways of showing respect and tolerance. The resulting revolving door of teachers who hone their craft on these children not like themselves often exacerbates the underachievement of students and the continual decline of the public-school system as we know it.

Until all of us are willing to forego our color and cultural blindness, we perpetuate students being placed on an assembly line to mediocrity, frustration, and wasted, unacknowledged potential. This, in no way applies to all teachers, for many teachers are diligent, dedicated, and hard-working people who care and who have students, many of whom, succeed in spite of the odds against them.

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iStockphoto / NNPA) However, to “not see color “is, to a person of a different color, the height of insult from an arrogant, insecure, ignorant, condescending—even if unintentional—racist person!

Until all of us are willing to forego our color and cultural blindness, we perpetuate students being placed on an assembly line to mediocrity, frustration, and wasted, unacknowledged potential.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

COMMENTARY:

Who Gains When Democracy is Destroyed?

WORLD APR 26– MAY 18 PREMIERE CAST

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Newswire Contributor

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Democracy is defined as the government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Who are the people who support our contemporary status quo? And how, in marginalizing the will of the people, is democracy destroyed?

The long-anticipated Mueller report is a scathing exposé of at least ten ways the man who calls himself the President of the United States bent or broke the rules and actively interfered in an investigation of his wrongdoings. The Attorney General who auditioned for his role by sending a memo that indicated that a sitting President could not be charged by the In-Justice Department edited, obfuscated, and then prevaricated about the many ways Mr. 45 simply did the wrong thing. His wrongdoings ranged from perjury (which he often couched as “I don’t remember”) to intimidation, to near, if not outright collusion. After the release of the Mueller Report, many Democrats have called for investigation or impeachment, but few Republicans have raised their voices to censure the rogue they selected as their leader.

As of this writing, Utah Senator Mitt Romney (R) has been the most vocal detractor of Mr. 45, but he was that before the Mueller Report was issued. George Conway, the bold husband of the equally

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fearless Kelleyanne Conway, has called for 45’s impeachment even as his spouse maintains her position as the 45 handmaiden. I don’t even want to wonder what their pillow talk sounds like, but George Conway gets mad props for speaking his truth even as he sleeps with the devil.

Why are so many so silent, though? These are people who say they love democracy, but their truth is that they love it only when it works for them. So, while they cringe privately, they cower publicly, understanding full well that they work for a racist, crook, and tyrant who will suppress democracy at any cost. What do they gain?

Most importantly they gain the courts.

While Senate Majority Leader, the Tennessee Turtle Mitch McConnell built a wall between President Barack Obama’s constitutional right to appoint judges by blocking appointment whenever he could — most notably a Supreme Court appointment that should have gone to Merrick Garland. He has never met an inexperienced Republican ideologue that he would not rush to confirm. Lifetime appointments to 39-yearolds (consider Florida’s Robert J. Luck) who have practiced law less than a decade but proven their worth with harsh partisan positions, will have an impact on public policy for decades. If McConnell rules the Senate and 45 stays in office, so many of our rights will be eroded, including voting rights, the right to choose, labor rights and more.

Voting rights are on the chopping block in jurisdiction after jurisdiction. The judicial repeal of the Voting Rights Act with the reversal of Section 5 has been a setback, but aggressive state legislatures who have sought to restrict the right to vote have

posed an equally challenging problem. In Florida, despite a successful initiative to restore the rights of convicted felons, the legislature has attempted to reverse the will of the people by imposing financial requirements to these returning citizens. There will undoubtedly be a court challenge, but will it be resolved in time to have 1.4 million people participate in the 2020 Florida election? In Tennessee, the state legislature proposes to impose fines on organizations that register voters who make minor mistakes on their registration forms, mistakes as insignificant as middle initial or hyphen.

Republican state legislatures are passing new rules to restrict the vote in anticipation of a 2020 surge of new voters. Florida and Tennessee aren’t the only states that would suppress the vote. But voter suppression is what Mr. 45’s sycophants gain when they fail to call him out on his perfidy.

Those who support 45 gain profit maximization opportunities – he is the triumph of predatory capitalism.

From a tax cut that disproportionately advantages the wealthy, to a massive corporate tax cut that places a tax burden on the rest of the economy, 45’s economic policies have been an unapologetic transfer of income from people at the bottom to people at the top. While he talked populist trash to white folks who had racial issues, he offered public policy that contributed nothing to his core constituency. Meanwhile, through his appointments to, as an example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CPFB), he eroded consumer rights. Instead of draining the swamp, he fed his personal alligators the raw meat of consumer protection; shredding the many ways CFPB protected the little people.

Supporting Mr. 45 also supports the triumph of white supremacy. After Heather Heyer was killed in Charlottesville by a now-convicted white supremacist, our nation’s leader opined that there are “good people on both sides.” His rhetoric is a signal to racists that it’s okay to attack those who have been historically marginalized in our nation. While we are in the middle of a cultural realignment, with pointed questions being raised about the corrosiveness of confederate culture, we have a national leader who disgustingly cleaves to the past and elevates white supremacy. Republicans who fail to censure an out of control president often do so because, while they abhor his behavior, they embrace his white supremacist enthusiasm.

Democracy dies when tyrants prevail, and when we have seen a prevaricator, a provocateur, a philistine, and a panderer occupy the Oval Office. Why? Because predatory capitalists gain from the elevation of a braggadocios tyrant who, while feeding their bottom line, is behaviorally uncontrollable. We have attempted to impose democracy all over the world. Why are we willing to support its demise in these United States?

Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Launches “Conversation Peace,” His First-Ever Tour of HBCUs

CHICAGO (April 19, 2019) – Dr. Michael Eric Dyson this week kicked-off “Conversation Peace,” his first-ever tour of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Dr. Dyson, the noted academic, author, lecturer, minister and radio host, on Tuesday spoke at HarrisStowe State University in St. Louis, followed by Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and Wayne County Community College District-Northwest Campus in Detroit as the third stop of the tour.

Morehouse College is the next appearance, on April 26th.

“Conversation Peace” is designed to illuminate the historical and current relationship between African Americans and Jews, and spur spirited discussion and dialogue among student guests. The “Conversation Peace” HBCU tour is a presentation of the Philos Project, a national organization part of whose vision and objective is to reach young people—notably future black

thought-leaders—to build stronger alliances and foster a better understanding of Israel and geo-political issues. Dr. Dyson’s appearance is supported by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Coalition for Black & Jewish Unity, the NAACP, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., the American Jewish Committee and other partners, and each oration will be hosted over two engaging hours.

Dr. Dyson is professor of sociology at Georgetown University, and has authored and/or edited more than 20 bestselling books on subjects ranging from the late Malcolm X, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Marvin Gaye, Bill Cosby, the music, meaning and legacies of Tupac Shakur and Nas, and even the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Part of his philosophy is that people of African descent in America are still afflicted, and negatively impacted by generations-old, ongoing oppression.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Dyson became an ordained Baptist minister at 19 years of age, and earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Carson– Newman College in 1985. He went on to earn both his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in religion from Princeton University. Dr. Dyson has taught at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Brown University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Columbia University, DePaul University-Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as professor of Sociology at Georgetown University since 2007.

His 1994 book, Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X was named a New York Times notable book of the year, and his last three books have appeared on The New York Times Bestseller’s List. Dr. Dyson formerly hosted a radio show on the Radio One national network, he is in frequent demand as a guest commentator and political analyst on National Public Radio, MSNBC and CNN, and he is a regular guest on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

Courtesy of blackpressusa.com

Russell Wilson Signs Deal to Become NFL’s Top-Paid Player

(Photo by: Mike

Morris | Wiki Commons)

The Seattle Seahawks and their quarterback Russell Wilson have reached an agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that makes him the highest paid player in the NFL and includes a $65 million signing bonus “Hey Seattle, we got a deal,” Wilson said in a video posted to Twitter with his wife Ciara, who added, “Go Hawks!”

“We’re all really pleased that we were able to take the next step to stay together and keep this moving,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. “Russ has been a huge factor in everything that has happened, and this allows us to stay on track with continuing to push to find that consistency. Russell is a unique player, a unique competitor. It’s rare the way he’s just so consistently connected to competing and battling. To keep that factor as part of the program is just a real positive for our fans and for everyone. We’re all

fortunate to see this happen.

The thirty-year-old Wilson has led the Seahawks to a winning season in each of his seven years with the club and has started in every game of his career. In that stretch, the Seahawks made the playoffs six times, won three division titles, two NFC Championships, and the franchise’s only Superbowl.

“For me, for my family and for (agent) Mark (Rodgers), we love Seattle, and it’s the place I want to be,” Wilson said after signing the contract. “I’ve always wanted to be here. When I first got drafted in 2012, I wanted to be here forever. This helps solidify that. I’ve got many more years to go and a lot more winning to do—we’ve got more Super Bowls to win. I’m excited about that.”

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson This article originally appeared in the LA Focus.

17

Color “Blindness” THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

COMMENTARY:

By Barbara D. Parks-Lee, Ph.D., CF, NBCT (ret.), NNPA ESSA Awareness Campaign What is the fallacy when someone says, “I don’t see color?” Immediately, when someone says this to me, a woman of color, two thoughts cross my mind. The first one is, “Is there some congenital abnormality that negates the ability to perceive colors?” The second, if more visceral: “If you don’t see color, does that render me invisible, unimportant, or not worthy to be seen?”

This statement prickles the hairs on the back of my neck. For, too often, these words are spoken by a white person to someone black or brown.

It almost fits into the trite utterance of “I have some (or a) black (or brown) friends,” or, another, “You are not like them.” So, if you do not see color, how do you know you have some friends of color or that I am not like the illusive “them,” presumably others of color?

Many of us have prejudices and/or ste-

reotypes of those we view as “other” or ones different from ourselves in some way. It might be that culture, religious belief, ethnicity, gender, class, marital status, socio-economic status, or one or more of the –isms influence our perceptions. Some biases are so inculcated that, from infancy, we are programmed to have fears, stereotypes, and negative views of those unlike ourselves.

One part of this kind of fallacious thinking may hinge on the fact that in order for some groups to feel righteous and superior, other groups must have to be viewed as dangerous and/or inferior.

Our perceptions of the value of ourselves and others often determine our treatment of and reactions toward those we view as less than or not as valued. Wars are fought over cultural and religious differences. Regardless of the injury, all people’s blood is red and all of us can hurt or grieve, regardless of color.

In the classrooms across the United States, many children of color—and we all have

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

a color are castigated, segregated, and under-educated by least-qualified teachers who are sent in to work with children most needy.

As our schools become more multicultural, many of their teachers are becoming more monocultural and unprepared to acknowledge cultural differences, different styles of learning, or ways of showing respect and tolerance. The resulting revolving door of teachers who hone their craft on these children not like themselves often exacerbates the underachievement of students and the continual decline of the public-school system as we know it.

Until all of us are willing to forego our color and cultural blindness, we perpetuate students being placed on an assembly line to mediocrity, frustration, and wasted, unacknowledged potential. This, in no way applies to all teachers, for many teachers are diligent, dedicated, and hard-working people who care and who have students, many of whom, succeed in spite of the odds against them.

iStockphoto / NNPA) However, to “not see color “is, to a person of a different color, the height of insult from an arrogant, insecure, ignorant, condescending—even if unintentional—racist person!

Until all of us are willing to forego our color and cultural blindness, we perpetuate students being placed on an assembly line to mediocrity, frustration, and wasted, unacknowledged potential.

Is More Attention Finally Being Given to Missing Black Girls?

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

Minneapolis police have a located a 12-year-old girl who went missing last week.

Dejah McCondichie had last been seen sometime between 5 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at her home on the 3200 block of 4th Street North. By Sunday afternoon, the police department posted an update with good news: Dejah had been found and is safe.

Greenville, South Carolina Police who went searching for 2-year-old Asaiah Nelson and her 50-year-old grandmother Michelle Matthews, also reported good news: the pair has been found safe.

In Georgia, police said they’ve safely located 14-year-old Anastasia Foxworth who had been missing for more than 24 hours.

Could this series of good news updates mean that the tide is finally turning for black girls who go missing? “It’s a step in the right direction, when you hear that authorities are finally having success, especially with black girls,” said Yvonne Russ, a clinical psychologist. “But, there’s still too many missing and too many have been missing for too long.”

Organizations like Black and Missing But Not Forgotten, the Black and Missing Foundation (BAM) in Landover Hills, Maryland, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in Alexandria, Virginia, have struggled to shed light on the real emergency that is of the nation’s missing.

More than 424,066 girls of all races have gone missing since the beginning of 2018, according to NCMEC. More than half of

that total are women and girls of color, according to BAM, which, like NCMEC, rely on statistics from the FBI. Many said the media hasn’t done enough to shine the spotlight on the crisis of the missing – particularly black girls.

“The majority of these children most likely come from marginalized communities, and are primarily low-income people of color,” said Dr. Ronnie A. Dunn, an interim chief diversity and inclusion officer and associate professor of urban studies at Cleveland State University.

“Given this nation’s racially stratified socioeconomic class hierarchy, as evidenced throughout institutions in America where poor children of color have worst outcomes on all quality of life indicators, their lives are devalued in relation to upper class white youth,” said Dunn, who has authored two books, “Race Profiling: Causes & Consequences,” and “Boycotts, Busing, & Beyond: The History & Implications of School Desegregation in the Urban North.”

“And even within that, while this nation espouses the valuing of children in general, this does not appear to be the reality as evidenced by the failure to act in the face of the onslaught of mass school shootings from Sandy Hook to Stoneman Douglas where the majority of those killed were middle class white youth,” Dunn said.

“Therefore, we see less media attention paid to missing children, particularly those of color,” he said.

Since the beginning of the month, numerous young girls have gone missing.

This week, police said they’re searching for a missing woman from Montgomery County, Maryland.

Officers say 20-year-old Carolyn Janiece Miller was last seen by family on Tuesday, April 9 when she left her Quintana Drive home in the Potomac area.

Police said Carolyn was driving her 2019, red Toyota Corolla with Maryland temporary tag: T889737 when she was last seen.

Carolyn is described by authorities as an

18

African-American female, 5-feet-tall and weighing 160 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Her family has been unable to contact her since they last saw her leaving her home and are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding Carolyn’s whereabouts are asked to call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

In New Mexico, Albuquerque Police issued a Brittany Alert for 18-year-old Shara Pinder. According to police, Pinder went missing April 11, 2019, at the Albuquerque Transit Center. They said she was trying to catch a bus to the Westside Shelter and left by officers.

According to KRQE Media, police announced that the missing Albuquerque woman has been found.

Naturally, the missing doesn’t only include girls.

The Mississippi Department of Public

Safety said Dakota Elliott Kelly was reported missing On Monday, April 15.

Dakota is black, 5’2 tall, weighs 140 pounds, with brown eyes and short, black hair.

He was last seen wearing dark and light blue Kobe Bryant sneakers, white socks, gray and black Puma sweatpants, a white t-shirt, and black and gray Columbia sweat suit jacket.

Authorities said Dakota may be accompanied by Dallas Elliott Kelly or possibly Gabriel Fleming.

Dallas Kelly is black, 6’3 tall, weighs 240 pounds, with brown eyes and black, short hair.

He was last seen wearing a red jogging suit, red hat, red sneakers, and has faded tattoos on his arms.

Authorities said they were last seen traveling west from Dakota’s home on Highway 404 toward I-55.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dakota, Dallas, or the vehicle is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department at (662) 858-0019.

20-year-old Carolyn Janiece Miller (left) was last seen by family on Tuesday, April 9 when she left her Quintana Drive home in the Potomac area. Police said Carolyn was driving her 2019, red Toyota Corolla with Maryland temporary tag: T889737 when she was last seen.The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said Dakota Elliott Kelly (right) was reported missing On Monday, April 15. Dakota is black, 5’2 tall, weighs 140 pounds, with brown eyes and short, black hair.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

Black Women’s Health Imperative Announces Strategic Partnership

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) has announced a strategic partnership with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) at the NCBW Day of Action and Advocacy in Washington, DC. The multi-year partnership was established to raise awareness of health disparities and solutions, and to provide access to vital healthcare and wellness information that promotes behavioral changes and healthier lifestyles in Black communities, according to a news release.

The Black Women’s Health Imperative is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing health equity and social justice for Black women, across the lifespan, through policy, advocacy, education, research and leadership development.

The organization identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation’s 22 million Black women and girls and invests in the best of the best strategies and organizations that accomplish its goals.

The shared common priorities of BWHI and NCBW to reach the community and other key stakeholders about the health and wellness of Black women created an opportunity to partner nationally, officials said in the news release.

“Our strategic partnerships with progressive and powerful organizations like the

From L-R: Angela Marshall, Chair, Board of Directors, BWHI, Linda Goler Blount, President & CEO, BWHI, Virginia Harris, President, NCBW, Seretha Tinsley, 1st Vice President of Programs, NCBW, Stacey D. Stewart, President, March of Dimes, and Mia Keeys, Health Policy Advisor to Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL)/Courtesy of The Black Women’s Health Imperative

National Coalition of 100 Black Women are vital to achieving our mission because they provide the amplification needed to reach more Black women with life-saving information and resources,” said Linda Goler Blount, President & CEO, The Black Women’s Health Imperative.

“Together, we will advance conversation and action around critical health issues, like maternal mortality and the impact of stress, with full confidence that our partnership will increase awareness and strengthen our B:9.25” efforts to improve Black women’s health and impact policyT:9.25” at the state and federal

level,” Blount said.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) was launched in 1981 with the mission to advocate on behalf of women of color through national and local actions and strategic alliances that promote the its agenda on leadership development

and gender equality in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

The national movement has garnered thousands of members who represent 60 chapters across 28 states.

Several of NCBW’s national health and wellness initiatives, including addressing heart disease, diabetes, strokes and obesity among Black women, created an opportunity for BWHI to provide solutions through evidenced-based programming and research-driven policy recommendations.

“I am very excited about NCBW’s and BWHI partnership” said NCBW President Virginia W. Harris.

“Together our goal will be to improve the African American health status and reduce health care costs and, this partnership will leverage and maximize resources by pooling talent, expertise, and resources,” Harris said.

She added that the partnership will “also improve outreach to stakeholders and enhance visibility, messaging and minimize duplication of efforts.”

Elements of the partnership will include hosting community health forums in cities across the country, collaborating on advocacy opportunities related to maternal mortality, diabetes, breast cancer and the Affordable Care Act, creating health tool kits for local NCBW chapters, and more.

For more information about The Black Women’s Health Imperative, please visit www.bwhi.org.

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However, for any day during that 12 month period that the daily account balance is less than the $25,000 minimum, the Special Rate will not apply, and the interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate applicable to your Platinum Savings account. As of 02/15/2019, the standard interest rate and APY for a Platinum Savings account in AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA with an account balance of $0.01 and above is 0.05% (0.05% APY). Each tier shown reflects the current minimum daily collected balance required to obtain the applicable APY. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly. The amount of interest earned is based on the daily collected balances in the account. Upon the expiration of the 12 month promotional period, standard interest rates apply. Minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $25. A monthly service fee of $12 applies in any month the account falls below a $3,500 minimum daily balance. Fees may reduce earnings. Interest rates are variable and subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo may limit the amount you deposit to a Platinum Savings account to an aggregate of $1 million. Offer not available to Private Banking or Wealth customers. 2. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective for accounts opened between 03/25/2019 to 05/31/2019. The 11-month New Dollar CD special requires a minimum of $25,000 brought to Wells Fargo from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank N.A., or its affiliates to earn the advertised APY. Public Funds and Wholesale accounts are not eligible for this offer. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. Interest is compounded daily. Payment of interest on CDs is based on term: For terms less than 12 months (365 days), interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or at maturity (the end of the term). For terms of 12 months or more, interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. A fee for early withdrawal will be imposed and could reduce earnings on this account. Special Rates are applicable to the initial term of the CD only. At maturity, the Special Rate CD will automatically renew for a term of 6 months, at the interest rate and APY in effect for CDs on renewal date not subject to a Special Rate, unless the Bank has notified you otherwise. 1,2. Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Wells Fargo reserves the right to modify or discontinue the offer at any time without notice. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in the offer requirements and qualifications. 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For bonus interest rates on time accounts, this change will occur upon renewal. If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the remaining unlinked Wells Fargo Portfolio Checking or Wells Fargo Prime Checking account will be converted to another checking product or closed. © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801

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THEINNER-CITY INNER-CITY NEWS April 2019 - April 2019 NEWS -July 27, 24, 2016 - August 02,30, 2016

Black & Boucher, LLC is looking for experienced milling

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST - (P/T)

machine operators for our Wirtgen W220’s and W50 machines. Po- Assist individuals receiving services in identifying and making sitions are full time seasonal work. Starting pay is $38.87 an hour choices about their social, vocation and personal goals. Duties in(W220) and $38.20 (W50), includes benefits (Health, Pension, An- clude case management, job development/placement/retention sernuity). Must be willing to work nights and some weekends. Year- vices and job support as needed. Requires use of personal vehicle. in a related field; plus 2 yrs’ related experience or equivalent VALENTINA MACRIWe RENTAL PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE end Bonus also included. are anHOUSING equal opportunity employer, B.A. minority, female and veterans are encouraged to apply. Work is combination of education and experience. Pay rate $16.61/hr.

Apply to:Authority, GWSNE, 432 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT 06473/ in HOME the Southern England (Connecticut, and Housing INC, onNew behalf of Columbus HouseMassachusetts, and the New Haven Fax (203) EOE/AA - M/F/D/V Rhode Island) area.

Please emailforblackandboucher@earthlink.net is accepting pre-applications studio and one-bedroom apartments at this495-6108/hr@goodwillsne.org develif interested! opment located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations ap-

The Glendower Group, Inc

NOTICE

DELIVERY PERSON NEEDED

ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y

The Group in when N. Stonington, CT has Temporary, 12 25,Cooper 2016 and ending sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have

week positions for Finish Painters, starting 6/3/19. Requires min. been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon re2 years experience, ability to prep surfaces, brush paint and glaze quest by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed prewindows. Must have own tools and transportation. Fluency in Engapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third lish. We are an Affirmative Action/EOE. Send resume and referFloor, New Haven, CT 06510. ences to Employment@thecoopergroupct.com

Part Time Delivery Needed One/Two Day a Week,

NOTICIA Tree Company New Haven County looking for a bucket op-

Must Have your Own Vehicle

erator, climber and groundmen with Class B CDL. 2-4 years experience with large residential and commercial treePRE-SOLICITUDES removal. Full VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER DISPONIBLES time with work year round. Experience with using a bobcat with grapple and everyday tree de removal equipment.

HOME INC, en nombre la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está Sign on bonus to the right person! Call (203) 466-2400 or email aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo PCSLANDSCAPING@AOL.COM

If Interested call

(203) 387-0354

ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio,Housing 2016 hasta Authority cuando se han of recibido pre-solicitudes The the suficientes City of Norwalk, CT(aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición Accounting Department has two immediate openings for full is requesting proposals for Financial Advisory Services. llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse time Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable professionals Request for Proposal documents can be viewed and printed at a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 . in a fast-paced office environment. Must be highly organized, www.norwalkha.org under the Business section RFP’s/RFQ’s possess good computer skills, be detail oriented, and able to Norwalk Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director. manage multiple projects. Benefits include health, dental & LTD insurance plus 401(k). Send resume to: Human Resource Dept. P O Box 388, Guilford CT 06437.

Listing: Accounting

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Request for Proposals

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK FOR WESTVILLE MANOR The Glendower Group, Inc an affiliate of Housing Authority City of New Haven d/b/a Elm city Communities is currently seeking Proposals for Construction Manager at Risk for Westville Manor. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 3:00PM

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Request for Proposal (RFP) Towing Services Solicitation Number: 125-SEC-19-S The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is currently seeking proposals from qualified towing business to tow illegally parked vehicles agency-wide. Solicitation package will be available on April 22, 2019. To obtain a copy of the solicitation you must send your request to bids@parkcitycommunities.org, please reference solicitation number and title on the subject line. A pre-proposal conference will be held at 376 East Washington Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06608 on May 9, 2019, @ 10:00 a.m.

Although attendance is not mandatory, submitting a bid for the project without attending conference is not in the best interest of the Offeror. Additional questions should be emailed only to bids@parkcitycommunities.org no later than May 16, 2018 @ 3:00 p.m.

Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycommunities. org. Proposals shall be mailed, or hand delivered by May 23, 2019 @ 3:00 PM, to Ms. Caroline Sanchez, Director of Procurement, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Late proposals will not be accepted.

The Cheshire Housing Authority

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced ********An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer********** is currently accepting application for Foote Commons non-subsidized family one, two and Invitationthree to Bid: in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory bedroom apartments. All applicants must meet the Income Limits set annually by the nd 2 242-258 Fairmont Ave Notice training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To qualify you must have a The GUILFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY gross annual income of $50,350-one person $57,550-two people, $64,750-three We offer hourly rate 1.5 & excellent benefits1 levelis, currently 2BRexcellent Townhouse, BA, 3BR, 1BA accepting applications for its efficiency and one maximum people, $71,900-four people, $77,700- five people, $83,450-six people, $89,200-seven peoContact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860243-2300 bedroom apartments at Guilford Court and Boston Terrace All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 Old Saybrook, CT ple, $94,950-eight people or be able to pay a rent of $794-$1,090 for a one bedroom, $930Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com or on $1,278 for a two bedroom, and $1,075-$1,500 for a tree bedroom. highways, near bus stop & shopping centerin Guilford, CT. Applicants must be age 62 and over (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply 100% social security or federal disability and over the age Interested parties may pick up an application at 50 Rumberg Road or may have one mailed.

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 Exempt Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer of 18. Applications maybe obtained by Tax calling the & applicaCompleted applications must be returned to the Cheshire Housing Authority 50 Rumberg

NEW HAVEN

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

tion line at 203-453-6262, ext. 107. Applications will be ac- Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. The wait list will open for 90 days (July, 19) or until the wait listSelective has 60 applications the required number by the State of Connecticut. If there are New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Demolition,orSite-work, Cast3:00 p.m. Credit, police, and units and wait list does not have the required number of applications, The Housby the authority.

Smoke free in-place Concrete, Asphaltopen Shingles, VinyltheSiding,

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s cepted until May 30, 2019 at Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates checks in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday,landlord August 20, 2016 1:30- are procured 3:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon J. Davis, Operators M.S., B.S. Reclaimer Operators andJoeMilling with current housing.

(203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300

For more information call (203)272-7511 ext1 or 2

This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

ing Authority may fill those units on a first come first serve basis. Section 8 vouchers are

Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, welcomed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY HOUSING Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection.

licensing and clean driving record, St. New Haven, CT Be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 Invitation for Bid (IFB) Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 HVAC/Mechanical Maintenance Services Project documents available via ftp link below: Solicitation Number: 124-AM-19-S http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

KMK Insulation Inc.

Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the 1907 Hartford Turnpike currently seeking bids from qualified and licensed mechanical contractors to respond to SmithfieldUnion Gardens Company Assisted Livingseeks: Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

this Invitation to Bids for HVAC and Mechanical maintenance and repairs of PCC Heating North Haven, CT 06473 Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran,and S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Cooling systems at various sites. Solicitation package will be available on April 22, Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave,obtain Seymour, CT 06483 Equipment.

Must have awill CDL driving record, A pre-bid conference beLicense, held atclean the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith 2019. To a copy of the solicitation you must send your request to bids@parkcitycapableSeymour, of operating equipment; be willing to travel AA/EEO EMPLOYER communities.org, please reference solicitation number and title on the subject line. A preStreet CT heavy at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Insulation company offering good pay bid conference will be held at 730 Palisade Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06610 on May 8, 2019, @ throughout the Northeast & NY. 10:00 a.m. Although attendance is not mandatory, submitting a bid for the project without and benefits.

Please mail resume to We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Ofattending conference is not in the best interest of the Offeror. Additional questions should Contact Dana at 860-243-2300 above address. be emailed only to bids@parkcitycommunities.org no later than May 16, 2018 @ 3:00 fice, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com p.m. Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycomWomen & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply munities.org. Seal bids will be received until May 22, 2019 @ 2:00 PM, at which time the This company is an Affirmative Action/ The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Mechanical Insulator position.

MAIL ONLY

reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the Housing Authority.

20

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Apartment Cleaning Services Bristol Housing Authority Proposals for Apartment Cleaning Services at Cambridge Park, West St., Union St., Bonnie Acres, J.F. Kennedy Apartments, Gaylord Towers, Zbikowski Park, and Mtn. Laurel Manor will be received by the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol until Thursday, May 30, 2019 by 4:00 p.m. at its administrative offices, 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT. Bid envelopes must be sealed and clearly marked, “RFP for Apartment Cleaning Services.”

The Housing Authority is exempt from all Federal, State and Municipal taxes.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the Authority. The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol reserves the sole right to select the firms it considers providers for the project.

Specifications are on file and can be obtained at the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 during normal business hours. For electronic documents or questions, please contact Carl Johnson, Director of Capital Funds, at cjohnson@bristolhousing.org.

No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol.

"AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER MBE’s, WBE's, SBE's AND SECTION 3 DESIGNATED ENTERPRISES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT"

The Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk, CT is requesting proposals for Financial Advisory Services.

Request for Proposal documents can be viewed and printed at www.norwalkha.org under the Business section RFP’s/RFQ’s Norwalk Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director.

HELP WANTED: Large CT guardrail company looking

QSR STEEL CORPORATION

APPLY NOW!

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Top pay for top performers.

Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

for Laborer/Driver with valid CT CDL Class A license and able to get a medical card. Must be able to pass a drug test and physical.

Compensation based on experience. Email resume to dmastracchio@atlasoutdoor.com AA/EOE M-F

ROTHA Contracting Company, Inc Project Engineer (Connecticut):

Project Engineer job opening available for a growing / established Heavy Highway Construction Contractor based out of Avon, CT. Tasks include takeoffs, CAD drafting, computations, surveying, office engineering, submittals, other miscellaneous engineering tasks. Competitive compensation package based on experience. Many opportunities for growth for the right individual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Email resume to jobs@ rothacontracting.com

Help Wanted: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Janitorial Cleaning Services Bristol Housing Authority Proposals for Common Area Janitorial Cleaning Services at Cambridge Park Office, Gaylord Towers, and J.F. Kennedy Apartments will be received by the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol until Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at its administrative offices, 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT. Bid envelopes must be sealed and clearly marked, “RFP for Janitorial Cleaning Services.”

The Housing Authority is exempt from all Federal, State and Municipal taxes.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the Authority. The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol reserves the sole right to select the firms it considers providers for the project.

Specifications are on file and can be obtained at the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 during normal business hours. For electronic documents or questions, please contact Carl Johnson, Director of Capital Funds, at cjohnson@bristolhousing.org.

No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol.

“AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER MBE’s, WBE’s, SBE’s AND SECTION 3 DESIGNATED ENTERPRISES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Meal Services Provision DJ Komanetsky Estates, Bristol Proposals for the provision of one daily noon meal at the DIMITRY J. KOMANETSKY ESTATES, Congregate Housing for the Elderly, will be received by the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol until Friday, May 31, 2019 at 4:00pm EST at its administrative offices, 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010.

The Housing Authority is exempt from all Federal, State and Municipal taxes.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the Authority. The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol reserves the sole right to select the firms it considers providers for the project.

Specifications are on file and can be obtained at the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 and Dimitry J. Komanetsky Estates, 81 Grove Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 during normal business hours. Electronic documents and any questions can be answered by contacting Carl Johnson, Director of Capital Funds at cjohnson@bristolhousing.org.

No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol.

"AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER MBE’s, WBE's, SBE's AND SECTION 3 DESIGNATED ENTERPRISES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT"

Galasso Materials LLC, a quarry and paving contractor, has positions open for the upcoming construction season. We are seeking candidates for 1) Quality Control (experience preferred), 2) Office clerks, 3) Truck/Scalehouse Dispatcher (experience and computer knowledge preferred) and 4) Equipment Operators and Construction Laborers. NO PHONE CALLS. Please mail resume and cover letter to Hiring Manager, Galasso Materials LLC, PO Box 1776, East Granby CT 06026. EOE/M/F/D/V.

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

Large CT Fence Company looking for an individual for our PVC Fence Production Shop. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. Use of CNC Router machine a plus but not required, will train the right person. This is an in-shop production position.

Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and more. Must have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Please email resume to pking@atlasoutdoor.com. AA/EOE-MF

FENCE ERECTING CONTRACTORS

Large CT Fence & Guardrail Contractor is looking for Fence Installer foremen and helpers. Foreman must have at least 5 years’ experience. Helpers-no experience required, will train the right person. Work available 10-12 months per year. Valid Ct. Driver’s license required and must be able to get a DOT Medical Card. All necessary equipment provided. Medical, vacation & other benefits included. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. OSHA 10 training will be required. Please email resume to pking@atlasoutdoor.com AA/EOE – M/F

Town of Bloomfield

Youth Services Coordinator $74, 092 (full time – benefited) For more details on how to apply: www.bloomfieldct.org 21

APPLY TODAY Town of Bloomfield

Youth & Family Program Assistant Part Time – Non benefited (5-15 hrs. wkly) $11.87 hourly Pre-employment drug testing.

AA/EOE For details and how to apply go to www.bloomfieldct.org

Large CT. Fence Company is looking for an individual for our stock yard. Warehouse shipping and receiving and Forklift experience a must. Must have a minimum of 3 years’ material handling experience.

Must be able to read and write English, and read a tape measure. Duties will include: Loading and unloading trucks, pulling orders for installation and retail counter sales, keeping the yard clean and organized at all times and inventory control. Individual will also make deliveries of fence panels and products, must be able to lift at least 70lbs. Required to pass a Physical and Drug test, have a valid CT. Driver’s License and be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. CDL B & A drivers a plus. Send resume to pking@atlasourdoor. com AA/EOE/MF

CARPENTRY SHOP

Large CT Fence Company looking for a full-time carpenter for our Wood Fence Production Shop. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. This is an in-shop production position. Duties include mortising & drilling wood posts for fence panels, building fence panels, gates & more. Must have a valid CT driver’s license and be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Please email resume to pking@atlasoutdoor.com. AA/EOE-MF

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

In Black and White: Key Findings of American’s View on Race in 2019

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

New research has revealed that 78 percent of African Americans believe the country has not gone far enough on the issue of making sure blacks have equal rights with whites.

Among Hispanics, 48 percent thought the country had not gone far enough while just 37 percent of white respondents thought that was true, according to a Pew Research analysis.

On the legacy of slavery, 84 percent of blacks said slavery had “a great deal” or a “fair amount” of impact on the position of African Americans in society today.

A lower number of whites, 58 percent agreed. And among Hispanics and Asians, the numbers were 67 percent and 69 percent respectively.

And 84 percent of black respondents said

people not seeing racial discrimination where it exists is a bigger problem than people seeing racism where it doesn’t exist.

Whites were the only group where a majority, 52 percent, said the opposite was true – that the bigger problem is people seeing racism where it really does not exist.

Experts said those racial splits are pretty stark, but the picture changes dramatically when you look at the same questions with white respondents broken into groups of self-identified Democrats and Republicans.

Among white Democrats, 64 percent of those surveyed said the country hasn’t gone far enough in giving black people equal rights.

But among white Republicans, only 15 percent say they hold that view.

On the legacy of slavery, 80 percent of white Democrats said it’s had a big impact, compared to 40 percent of white Republicans.

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And 78 percent of white Democrats said people not seeing discrimination is a bigger problem than people seeing racism where it really doesn’t exist.

With white Republicans, that figure is 22 percent.

Summarily, white Democrats look a lot more like African-American respondents than they look like white Republicans. And the same kinds of differences appear when

looking at how people view racial equality in real-life circumstances.

“When asked about specific situations they may have experienced because of their race or ethnicity, blacks are much more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to report that people have acted as if they were suspicious of them or as if they thought they weren’t smart; that employers have treated them unfairly in hiring, pay or promotion;

and that they have been unfairly stopped by police,” Anna Brown, a research analyst focusing on social and demographic trends at Pew Research Center, wrote in the report.

“Meanwhile, whites are the most likely to say that people have assumed they were racist or prejudiced because of their race or ethnicity, while Asians are more likely than other groups to say they have been subject to slurs and jokes,” Brown said.

WE DIDN'T NEED MUELLER TO TELL US TRUMP IS A SKUNK JOE UGLY IN THE MORNING Weekdays 6-9 a.m.

THE TOM FICKLIN SHOW Mondays 10 a.m.

MAYOR MONDAY!

MERCY QUAYE

Mondays 11 a.m.

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MICHELLE TURNER Tuesdays 9 a.m.

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Wednesdays 9 a.m.

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FRIDAY PUNDITS Fridays 11 a.m.

by Oscar H. Blayton No person in his or her right mind will deny that America is a thicket of racism, misogyny, entitlement for the wealthy, dishonesty, and a fictitious veneer of meritocracy.

So, it is befitting that we have an occupant in the White House who exemplifies all these things.

Donald Trump clearly displayed his many loathsome traits before being elected to the highest office in the land. He also proved that he had neither the knowledge nor the understanding necessary to competently lead a nuclear power.

The only believable aptitude that his campaign presented to the American electorate was his abiding belief in white supremacy.

And he rode that one trick pony all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

After occupying the Oval Office for more than two years, Trump has had his corrupt and illegal practices laid out in more than 400 pages of a government report produced by a team of investigators and lawyers led

by Special Counsel, Robert Mueller.

Political pundits have expressed their shock and surprise at the depth of Trump’s immorality. The legion of lies, his schemes to overthrow the rule of law and his constant efforts to obstruct justice were revealed in page after page of Mueller’s report.

But the most surprising thing about this episode of America’s history is not Trump’s

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immortality, but the sense of surprise – real or pretended – expressed by members of the major media outlets.

When you climb into a pigpen to kiss a hog, you should not be surprised by what winds up on your lips. And many Americans have been French kissing this swine for more than two years.

The question now should not be “How did things come to this?” The answer is clear.

We elected a villain to the White House.

The question we must now answer is: “How do we rid the American body politic of this cancer?”

Some Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are counseling against impeaching Trump. Instead, they call for the American voters to turn him out of office in 2020. Fearful of losing their seats by angering conservatives, these shameful Congress members are asking voters to do the job they were elected to do.

Cowering before small but vocal segments of their constituencies, these self-serving politicians are willing, for the sake of their own re-elections, to surrender the public good to the worst elements of our society.

When these politicians make their next predictable pilgrimages to Black churches and neighborhoods seeking what they believe are “guaranteed” Democratic votes, they should be pressed on why they did not see fit to protect the American people and move to impeach No. 45. Every day Trump remains in office is a threat to the well-being of people of color. His policies diminish our quality of life and the tone he sets in the White House gives license to those in America whose hateful, racist inner demons have waited decades for a chance to wreak havoc on their victims.

For months, Robert Mueller was hailed as the hero who had ridden in on his white

horse to make everything right in Washington. But his report disappoints by failing to call out Trump’s illegal actions for what they are. Anecdotes in the Mueller Report confirming already well-founded suspicions and widely known violations of law that had been reported in the media for months did little to further inform the public of Trump’s wrongdoings. And in its present form, the report is subject to manipulation by Trump allies to normalize his behavior and anesthetize the American people to the abuse heaped upon us daily by this administration.

Anyone who cannot see an attempted conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government is simply choosing not to look. Anyone who is not convinced that Trump clearly obstructed – and attempted to obstruct – justice is choosing to abandon the rule of law.

Trump committed his many crimes in full view of the American public, so the facts laid out in the Mueller report should come as no surprise.

Right-thinking Americans should not allow politicians to be surprised at the contents of the Mueller report. Any politician who expresses such surprise is either too dishonest or too stupid to be returned to office.

Right-thinking Americans should not allow politicians to shirk from legitimate efforts to impeach Donald Trump. If they are too cowardly to weather the turmoil of an impeachment process, they should pack their bags, leave Washington and look for another line of work.

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

April 24, 2019 - April 30, 2019

It’s Time to Put People Before Drug Company Profits.

While too many Connecticut residents struggle to make ends meet, the big drug companies continue to rake in billions. It’s no wonder, considering that they make Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world.

That’s why it’s critical for all Connecticut lawmakers to put aside their differences and support commonsense solutions to lower drug prices, including: • Allowing our state to negotiate for lower prices.

• Preventing brand-name drug companies from paying off generic competitors to stop more affordable medications from reaching consumers.

People shouldn’t have to choose between buying medication and buying food for our families. To all state lawmakers: It’s time to work together and pass bipartisan legislation to lower prescription drug prices—now.

Visit aarp.org/StopRxGreedCT to learn more.

Facebook.com/AARPCT @AARPCT aarp.org/CT Paid For by AARP

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