July 22, 2010
SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE
Vol. XXX, No. 1189 FIRST COLUMN
Photo Courtesy of SHIRLEY HAWKINS
A SUCCESS STORY — David Thomas holds a baking tray with pizzas. The South Los Angeles resident, 49, is all too familiar with the turbulent life on Skid Row. Ten years ago, Thomas was barely surviving on the same gritty streets where he was homeless, drug addicted and illiterate. But he eventually got his life together after being taken in at the Los Angeles Mission and is assistant director of Food Service at the mission.
L.A. Mission Saves Lives BY SHIRLEY HAWKINS SPECIAL TO L.A. WATTS TIMES
For many who survive on the gritty streets of Skid Row, the 75year-old Los Angeles Mission in downtown Los Angeles serves as a beacon of hope for the homeless and continues to transform countless broken lives. South Los Angeles resident David Thomas, 49, is all too familiar with the turbulent life on Skid Row. Ten years ago, Thomas was barely surviving on the same gritty streets where he was homeless, drug addicted and illiterate. “I saw a lot of things happen in the streets,” Thomas reflected. “I saw people getting robbed, people getting jumped on and beat up — I even saw dead bodies.” A victim of substance abuse,
Thomas found himself caught up in a severe crack cocaine habit. “I was smoking $1,000 of crack cocaine a week,” he recalls. “Most of my time was spent drinking and getting high.” Acutely aware that his life was spiraling out of control, Thomas said, “I started talking to God. I said, ‘God, if you heal me from these addictions, I’ll do whatever you want.’ ” Several years ago during a drug-induced high, Thomas paused in front of the Los Angeles Mission. “For some reason, I don’t know why, I reached out and clutched the gates,” he says. “I know it sounds strange, but after I touched those gates, I became See L.A. MISSION, page 7
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) — Dozens of people rallied July 19 in support of a white former transit officer convicted of killing an unarmed black man on an Oakland train platform. The emotional display brought an outcry from hundreds of counter-protesters upset that Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter instead of murder in the death of 22-year-old Oscar Grant on New Year’s Day 2009. Authorities in Walnut Creek, an affluent suburb about 15 miles east of Oakland, wore tactical gear as they stood watch over the dual demonstrations. Both factions initially waved signs and hurled insults across metal barriers. Counter-protesters soon crossed the barriers, sparking face-to-face staredowns and shouting in the street. Police Chief Joel Bryden said no injuries or violence were reported as the confrontation ended peacefully. “I have no shame being out here,” said Tiffany Maldonado, 21, of Hayward, who joined others in showing support for Mehserle. She carried a sign that read, “Can we all just get along? Justice was served,” an apparent reference to Rodney King’s comment after the acquittal of four police officers in his beating sparked riots. “I'm not saying what he (Mehserle) did was right, but he said it was an accident and he said he was sorry,” Maldonado said. A Los Angeles jury earlier this month found the 28-year-old Mehserle guilty of involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting Grant on the Bay Area Rapid Transit platform. Mehserle could face a sentence of 14 years in prison in November. Prosecutors had pushed for a murder conviction. The verdict on the lesser charge sparked a wave of protests in downtown Oakland, resulting in damage to businesses and dozens of arrests. Counter-protesters carried placards that read, “Justice for Oscar Grant” and chanted, “Murder is murder is murder!” Cat Brooks, a member of the Coalition of Justice for Oscar Grant, shook her head, bewildered by the support for Mehserle. “Our intention was to come out here and hold up signs and make the people that organized this rally understand that this is a slap in the face,” she said. Pictured: (from top to bottom) Counter-protestors at the rally; young black men lay on their stomachs with their hands behind their backs, like Grant did the day he was shot; Mehserle supporters at the rally; members of the Los Angeles Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant — from left to right, Christina Wilkerson, Gaby Castillo and Hala Dills — at Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ office on July 19 seek her support for a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Grant.
Top Photos by FELIX BARRETT/REVOLUTION
Photo by THANDISIZWE CHIMURENGA
State Urges Women, Seniors to Get Pertussis Vaccination BY SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER AP WRITER
(AP) — State health officials want women in their childbearing years and seniors to get immunized against whooping cough as California’s epidemic grows. As of July 16, at least 1,496 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, have been found statewide, a fivefold increase over the same period last year, said California Department of Public Health epidemiologist Dr. Gil Chavez. Providers and the public were encouraged to push vaccinations for women who may become pregnant, grandparents — especially those who provide child care — and any child age 7 or older who is not up to date on immunizations. “Considering that immunity from pertussis vaccine or disease wears off, and that most adults are susceptible to pertussis, now is the time for Californians to get immunized to protect themselves and their
families,” Chavez said. Women can be vaccinated before pregnancy, during the second or third trimester, or immediately after giving birth, he said. Five Californians have died of whooping cough this year — all were Latino babies under 3 months of age who were too young to be immunized. The cause of a sixth infant death is under investigation. Another 700 possible cases of whooping cough are under investigation. A typical case of whooping cough may appear similar to a common cold for up to two weeks, followed by weeks or months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Three whooping cough vaccines are administered to children 2 to 6 months of age, with boosters at 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years of age. Neither vaccine nor surviving the illness provides lifetime immunity.
NEWS IN BRIEF THE SOUTHLAND
LAPD to Have Video Cameras in Some Patrol Cars
Reva Jones, Wife of Renowned Photojournalist Bill Jones, Passes Away at Age 73 (The Platinum Group) — Reva Jones, the wife of renowned black photojournalist Bill Jones, has died of heart trouble. She was 73. Jones passed away July 19 at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood with her family by her side. A memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 4112 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles. Floral offerings can be sent to the church C/O Bill Jones and Family. Additionally, for those wishing to make a financial contribution, send a check or money order to the Bill Jones Photographic Arts Foundation at 8306 Wilshire Blvd., #1237, Beverly
Bill and Reva Jones
Hills, CA 90211. Jones was a longtime school teacher who taught children at Ebony Learning Tree School and Kids Preparatory Academy in Los Angeles. She leaves behind her husband, one son and two daughters, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of her daughters, Nina, died last year.
(AP) — The Los Angeles Police Department will have about 300 video cameras in its patrol cars by the end of summer after years of delay in adopting the technology. Police officials said that the cameras will be installed in cars patrolling the department’s South Bureau, which encompasses many of the city’s grittier neighborhoods. It’s been nearly four years since the City Council approved $5 million for the first set of cameras that will be installed over the next few months. Some observers say the cameras will help hold the department more accountable and could clear officers of allegations such as racial profiling. Officials say it would cost about $25 million to have all of the department’s 1,600 cars equipped with cameras. See BRIEFS, page 4
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