Care 21 - Special Election Edition 2013 by IQ Inc.

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Concerned Americans For Racial Equality

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26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242 n Tel: 718.243.9431 n Fax: 718.222.3153 n Email: carejournal@aol.com n Issue #21

Letitia James for Public Advocate

Eliot Spitzer, Democrat for City Comptroller

Supporters Pleased After NYC Council Overturns Bloomberg’s Veto of Policing Bill

Bill Thompson, Democrat for Mayor

From left to right, Diandra Archibald, Assistant Executive Director of CARE, Ben Jealous, President of the National NAACP and Lynn Spivey, President, NAACP-NYCHA Branch

Eric Adams, Democrat for Brooklyn Boro President

Robert Jackson, Democrat for Manhattan Boro President

Charles J. Hynes, Democrat for District Attorney

VOTE 2013! See pages 18-23 Robert Cornegy, Jr., Democrat for 36th District

Saundra Thomas, Democrat for 40th District

John Catsimatidis, Republican for Mayor

n August 22, 2013, the NYC Council passed a series of bilsl to greatly increase oversight of the NYC Police Department and its widespread use of stop and frisk tactics. Supporters of the bills held a enthusiastic protest on the steps of City Hall before the vote in the NYC Council holding colorful signs and chanting: “Override veto, override!” Then the crowds cheered after the vote passing the bills were cast. The votes, a week and a half after a federal judge ruled aspects of police stops in the city unconstitutional, amounted to a stinging personal defeat for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Mr. Bloomberg immediately denounced the new laws as an effort to “outsource management of the N.Y.P.D. to unaccountable officials,” and he vowed to sue to stop the bill on expanding profiling claims.l

50th Anniversary Washington March:

50 Years of American Heroes

“Fifty years after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. offered a transcendent vision of racial harmony for America's future with his "I Have a Dream" speech, tens of thousands gathered where he spoke on Saturday, August 24, to hear leaders tell them that while much has been attained, much remains unfinished. Caribbean- Americans are proud of their role in the struggle for justice then and now.” — Brian Figeroux, Esq.

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HOT TOPICS

Restore Voting Rights Act

BY EDITOR, CIVILRIGHTS.ORG

n June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the challenge to the constitutionality of the preclearance provisions of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). That portion of the Act was designed to prevent discrimination in voting by requiring all state and local governments with a history of voting discrimination to get approval from the federal government before making any changes to their voting laws or procedures, no matter how minimal. In an opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts that was joined by Justices Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito, the Court did not invalidate the principle that preclearance can be required. But much more importantly, it held that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which sets out the formula that is used to determine which state and local governments must comply with Section 5’s preapproval requirement, is unconstitutional and can no longer be

used. Thus, although Section 5 survives, it will have no actual effect unless, and until, Congress can enact a new statute to determine who should be covered by it.

The Voting Rights Act The VRA is a landmark law that outlaws discriminatory voting practices that have been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of racial and ethnic

minorities in the U.S. Congress has very strong constitutional authority through the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to protect voting rights, and the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the VRA. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act requires covered jurisdictions to submit any proposed changes in voting procedures to the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal district court in D.C. for a determination of whether that change is discriminatory. This process is known as “preclearance.” In 2006, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Congress voted to reauthorize Section 5 for another 25 years, after reviewing extensive evidence and testimony. During the 2006 reauthorization of the VRA, Congress conducted over 20 hearings, heard from over 50 expert witnesses, and collected over 17,000 pages of testimony documenting the continued need for, and constitutionality, of the statute.

continued on page 8

Protecting the Rights of Non-citizens... see page 8

In Trayvon’s Name: Tools for Turning Outrage into Action

BY ALAN JENKINS, THE OPPORTUNITY AGENDA

Florida jury’s acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin has sparked protests around the nation and a highly personal statement from President Obama. One of the protesters’ demands is for an investigation of whether Martin’s killing violated federal civil rights laws, and the U.S. Justice Department is reportedly investigating that possibility.

continued on page 9

Honored by the NAACP

Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Major Civil Rights Victory Against Stop and Frisk

BY SDANIELLE CLARKE

lack and Hispanic plaintiffs successfully sued the city of New York in a federal classaction suit in the Southern District of New York, in Floyd v. City of New York. The plaintiffs sued to end the city's current stop-and-frisk policy because its police officers discriminate against blacks and Hispanics when deciding whom to stop while implementing stop-and-frisk. On August 12, 2013, Judge Shira A.

the New York City Police Department, racial bias alone explained the racial disparity in the stop-and-frisk of black and Hispanic New Yorkers compared to white New Yorkers. Statistics showed that police stopped 4.4 million New Yorkers between 2004 and 2012, a time period that Shendlin agreed with the plaintiffs in an exhaustive- included a dramatic increase ly thorough 196 -page decision containing both sta- of 118% of the number of tistical and legal analyses. The judge found that sta- stops made in the year 2004, tistically, even using what she viewed as the highly continued on page 7 conservative expert findings based on the records of

For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

Obama Administration Statements on the Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling

BY GAUTMAN RAGHAVAN

he Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In a statement released shortly after the Court’s ruling was announced, President Obama applauded the decision. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is betcontinued on page 6

NAACP Calls For Housing Finance Policies... see page 12

America Is Still A Nightmare... see page 4

CARE

IN THE NEWS

Filling the Unemployment Quagmire

BY AKOSUA K. ALBRITTON

ew York State Department. of Labor’s Preliminary Area Unemployment Rates monthly report for April 2013, puts the state’s rate at 7.8%, which is the state’s lowest level since March 2009. NYC’s rate (all 5 boroughs) for April was 7.7%. This is down from 8.5% since the preceding month. These figures strongly suggest that the local economy is bouncing back from the “Great Recession”. Digging deeper reveals where high unemployment persists. The Bronx County’s rate is 10.5%, and Kings County’s is 8.4%, followed by Queens, Richmond County, and New York County at 6.9%, 6.7%, and 6.5%, respectively. Census 2010 and historic residential patterns show that the Bronx is the home of most Hispanics, and Brooklyn having the highest number of blacks in the City. Could it be that NYC blacks and Hispanics experience higher unemployment than other New Yorkers? Unfortunately, this is the case. April 2013 figures for NYC Human Resources Administration’s three cash assistance programs count 363,991 recipients where most reside in Brooklyn (36.8%) and the Bronx (32.5%). The case heads, regardless of residence, are primarily black (46%) and Hispanic

(42.3%) for these programs. White and Other are cumulatively a distant 11.67%. What accounts for the high unemployment? “Lack of education makes them unemployable,” asserts Michelle George, Brooklyn Community District 8 Manager. This district covers Prospect Heights, northern Crown Heights, and Weeksville. “Their high school dropout rates are higher than whites and the types of jobs that ‘lack of education’ affords—fast food and retail—[this population] doesn’t want.” Workforce One Centers are dealing with this aversion by preparing Workforce One members for such employment. Their clients include Home Depot, Lowe’s, Victoria’s Secret, Hale n’ Hearty, and Burger Shack. Glen Ettienne, owner of Delux Gallery Natural Hair Salon, in Clinton Hill, contends media exposure shapes young

black and Hispanic life decisions. “The people who own the press understand that we’re followers. 50% can’t think for themselves. In owning the press, they can sway the public.” Ettienne believes the music industry is another influencer. “The original rap music was conscious rap that lifted us”, Ettienne opines. “So the record executives had the musicians change their lyrics. Now nobody raps about going to college, respecting your brother, or raising your child. “It’s drive a nice car”, “get, the money”, “get the bitches”. Others observe that neither public schools nor parents are adequately presenting the breadth of career and occupation options that youth could consider. There are black businesses that admirably weather the current economic climate. Black Enterprise’s Industry

For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

Leaders lists include many local enterprises. Kristal Auto Mall, Uniworld Group, Inc., the Brooklyn-based advertising agency, Carver Federal, with branches in three boroughs, Valentine Mfg, in Hauppauge, and Prime Access, a marketing company, need mentioning. Where there is no apparent work, people must make work. One recessionproof industry is food and beverages. Lowell Hawthorne turned one Caribbean cuisine restaurant into a franchise called Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill. Franchising resulted in not only a business for Hawthorne and his co-founder, but businesses and employment for 120 franchises. Franchising can be an expensive proposition. Golden Krust franchisees invest between $173,000 and $564,000 to operate the moneymakers. There are franchises that require much lower cash outlays. Janitorial franchises are within reach of moderate income households. The investment ranges between $1,500 and $55,000. JAN-Pro Cleaning Systems with 10,414 franchises in the U.S. counts 2,675 franchises owned by black executives. Investment is from $3,145 to $50,130. Returning to attitudes, blacks and Hispanics must rethink what is worthy work and how to build wealth, if the community is determined to solve the unemployment quagmire.l

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THOUGHTS

50 Years After Washington March & I Have a Dream: America Is Still a Goddamn Nightmare!

BY CARL DIX

t’s 50 years since the March on Washington and Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Let’s face reality—Amerikkka is still a goddamn nightmare! This country built up its wealth and power by dragging Africans to these shores in slave chains and stealing the land from, and committing genocide against the native inhabitants. It has never stopped bringing vicious oppression down on Black people and billions of people around the world. Dreams of changing America into something that would end this oppression, or any of the horrors inflicted on humanity, are toxic illusions that keep people chained to the very system that’s responsible for all this oppression. This is not a time to be dreaming of “perfecting” America’s union. Instead, it must become a time that people look back on and say, that’s when people said you couldn’t reform this shit, and a whole different way—a revolution—was needed.

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As Revolution (July 19, 2013 issue) put it, “58 years ago, a Black teenager named Emmett Till was murdered in Mississippi by some white men who decided he had ‘acted wrong,’ and those white men were acquitted. Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Till, said ‘NO MORE’ and the uproar that she stoked was one big beginning factor that led millions of people to stand up and over the next 15 years to rock this country to its foundation. People needed revolution, and many fought for revolution, many of those heroically laid down their lives—but we got reforms. Now after all those reforms ... after all the promises ... all the excuses ... after all the Black faces in high places including even a Black president ... a Black teenager named Trayvon Martin is murdered by a white man who decided Trayvon was ‘acting wrong,’ and he too is acquitted.” This verdict was America saying, once again, that Black people have no rights that whites must respect. This is a concentration of the way this system has criminalized Blacks and Latinos on a genocidal scale and created a generation of suspects at a time when it has no real future for tens of millions of these youth. The Trayvon verdict left many, many people with a profound sense of betrayal and had them asking big questions about the unjust nature of this society and whether the people ruling over us are fit to run society. People are righteously outraged and asking: how long will such horrors continue and how many more of our youth will have their lives stolen for no reason other than the color of their skin? America has had its chances to do right by Black people. First through the Civil War and Reconstruction, and then during the 1960s, when people struggled mightily to deal with the horrors Black people faced. And each time, America changed the forms of oppression but kept it in effect. What is the situation today? The New Jim Crow. More than two million people in prison; and more than five million formerly incarcerated facing discrimination when looking for work, and barred from living in public housing and receiving government loans. Racial profiling, stop-and-frisk, and a school-toprison pipeline. Voting rights being snatched back. It’s long past time to say, “That’s it for this system. Time’s up!” There are those calling for a new civil rights movement. That’s not what’s needed. The old civil rights movement contributed to the struggle to end legal segregation, and people sacrificed heroically as part of it. But that movement had reached its limitations by the mid-1960s. It aimed to get America to make good on

a promise of equality that cannot be achieved in the framework of this system. From the “Founding Fathers” onward, this has been a system driven by the needs of capitalism and then capitalismimperialism with its profit-above-all mentality and its expand-or-die logic. No civil rights movement is going to change that. We need a revolution to get rid of this system and bring a totally different and far better one into being. And let’s pull the lens back. Everywhere America has gone in the world, it has wreaked havoc on humanity: from the slave trade in Africa centuries ago, to the theft of half the land of Mexico, to the genocidal war in Vietnam, to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the U.S.-supplied tanks massacring people in the streets of Egypt. One in three women in the U.S. will suffer sexual assault in their lifetime. This country carries out the most massive spying operation in world history, targeting people and countries all over the world. The U.S. is ravaging the environment of the planet. As Bob Avakian, the leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP), has said: “What the U.S. spreads around the world is not democracy, but imperialism and political structures to enforce that imperialism.” As for those who say, “things may be bad, but Obama is working on making them better,” people need to have the moral courage to face the truth. And that truth is that Barack Obama is the top enforcer and defender of this system. The truth is that Obama is the commander-inchief of the American empire. The truth is that he presides over the drone strikes that destroy whole villages in Pakistan and Yemen. The truth is that he presides over the torture prison in Guantanamo Bay. The truth is that he has presided over an unprecedented number of deportations of immigrants. The capitalist-imperialist system has only brought horrors to the world. But the good news is that things don’t have to be this way. There’s a whole other way

For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

that society could be organized—and through revolution, communist revolution, we can get rid of this system and bring a far better society into being. The kind of society that could end all exploitation and all oppressive divisions and inequalities all over the world, that could emancipate all of humanity and safeguard the planet for current and future generations. The kind of society and world in which human beings could truly flourish. The RCP he leads has developed a strategy for making revolution when the time is right. And it has developed a vision of the kind of world we could bring into being through revolution, a vision that is concretized in the Constitution for the New Socialist Republic in North America (Draft Proposal) To bring all this about, we are building a movement for revolution NOW. And what’s missing is you. In Bob Avakian, we have the leadership needed for this revolution; a leader who came out of the 1960s and who has given his heart and his knowledge, skill and abilities to dealing with everything that stands between humanity and its ultimate emancipation. He has deeply studied the experience of revolution—the shortcomings as well as the great achievements. He has drawn from other fields of human activity. And he has brought the science and method of revolution to a whole new level, concentrated in the new synthesis of communism. In Avakian, we have a great champion and a great resource for people here, and indeed people all over the world. All of our outrage, our energy and our dreams can become powerful fuel in this movement for revolution. This must be a watershed moment—one in which we break with the illusion of trying to make this system something it cannot be, but work and struggle to end this nightmare once and for all. Fight the Power, and Transform the People, for Revolution!l

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OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

50 Years of American Heroes

BY VALERIE B. JARRETT

ifty years ago, the heroic voice of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. rang out across our capital, our country, and the world, and called on us to become the more perfect union he believed we were destined to be. A country which endows every man, woman and child with unalienable rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These are words which we repeat so often, that their depth and relevance today can easily be missed. Any nation which pledges to honor its citizen’s right to “life” should enact and protect laws which ensure high quality and affordable access to the doctors, treatment, and preventative care we need to live full and healthy lives. Any country committed to defending “liberty” should protect our fundamental right as Americans; the right to vote. Our liberty is dependent upon free and inclusive elections, and our ability to peacefully hold our leaders accountable, while directing the course of our country. Dr. King was the first to tell us that the “arc of the moral universe is long, but that it bends toward justice.” President Obama went further, to remind us all that "the arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but it doesn't bend on its own." The right to “pursue happiness” is most secure when we put the education of all of our children, the growth of our economy, the health of our businesses, the creation of jobs, and the stability of our markets ahead of self-interest, and political posturing. Every American deserves to feel the pride of a hard-earned paycheck, and the opportunity to achieve their dreams, regardless of who they are, or the zip code of their birth. As we reflect on the tremendous progress made over the past half-century, we honor those brave leaders who paved the way, and upon whose shoulders we all stand, by recognizing our responsibility to undertake the immense job still at hand. This is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals on which America was founded, and to help ensure this country continues to “rise up,” as Dr. King declared 50 years ago, and “live out the true meaning of its creed.” GET MONEY FOR YOUR INJURIES

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet members of the King family at the conclusion of the Let Freedom Ring ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Aug. 28, 2013. The ceremony was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

As President Obama traced the steps of giants today, let us also remember the extraordinary things accomplished by the countless ordinary people, who President Obama often calls America’s “quiet heroes.” They are our parents and grandparents; our coworkers, classmates, and neighbors. They are the men and women in this country who have rolled up their sleeves, and laced up their work boots every day over the past five decades to move this country forward. Some who marched – others who simply took the early shift, year after year, so they would be home in time to cook dinner for their families before heading to a second job. Let us remember the many who have faced down violence, despair, and incredible odds, just to give their children a chance at a better life, and our country the chance to live up to its full potential.

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President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. August 28, 2013. (by Amanda Lucidon)

Email: bfigeroux@msn.com

Today we salute the heroes who inspired us 50 years ago, and we honor the millions more whose blood, sweat, and divine strength have served to define our nation. We honor them with our reverence, and our willingness to sacrifice for the greater good, and march on. We honor them with our urgent action to deliver all Americans the rights and opportunities they deserve. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."l —Martin Luther King Jr., 16 April 1963, Birmingham, AL

Valerie B. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She oversees the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chairs the White House Council on Women and Girls.

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Contributors Vandell Park Alan Jenkins SDanielle Clarke Akosua K.Albritton Guatman Raghavan Tyler Lewis Carl Dix Valerie B. Jarrett Jennine Estes Hilary O. Shelton Wendy Feliz Email info@ourcare.org Visit www.ourcare.org

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OBAMA ADMINISTRATION Statements on the DOMA’s Ruling continued from page 2

ter off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. This ruling is a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law; for children whose parents’ marriages will now be recognized, rightly, as legitimate; for families that, at long last, will get the respect and protection they deserve; and for friends and supporters who have wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and have worked hard to persuade their nation to change for the better. So we welcome this decision, and I’ve directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly. On an issue as sensitive as this, knowing that Americans hold a wide range of views based on deeply held beliefs, maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom is also vital. How religious institutions define and consecrate marriage has always been up to those institutions. Nothing about this decision – which applies only to civil marriages – changes that. The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of

Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free. A number of Cabinet Secretaries and senior Administration officials also released statements hailing the Court’s decision.

Secretary of State John Kerry The U.S. Department of State applauds the Supreme Court’s decision striking down an unjust and discriminatory law and increasing freedom and equality for LGBT Americans. As a Senator, I voted against DOMA in 1996, and argued that it was unconstitutional. As Secretary of State, I look forward to the work that now can and must be done to adjust rules and regulations that affect the many married Americans who were hurt by this law. While I am incredibly proud of the job that the State Department has done in ensuring equal benefits for our employees, there’s more to be done. To fully implement the requirements and implications of the Court’s decision, we will work with the Department of Justice and other agencies

to review all relevant federal statutes as well as the benefits administered by this agency. We will work to swiftly administer these changes to ensure that every employee and their spouse have access to their due benefits regardless of sexual orientation both at home and abroad. I am proud of the progress we’re making in this arena, and particularly proud that I work for a President who has helped to lead the way forward. From Stonewall to the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ despite setbacks along the way, the arc of our history on this issue has bent towards inclusion and equality, perhaps never more so than today. Attorney General Eric Holder This historic decision in the case of United States v. Windsor, declaring Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, is an enormous triumph for equal protection under the law for all Americans. The Court’s ruling gives real meaning to the Constitution’s promise of equal protection to all members of our society, regardless of sexual orientation. This decision impacts a broad array of federal laws. At the President’s direc-

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tion, the Department of Justice will work expeditiously with other Executive Branch agencies to implement the Court’s decision. Despite this momentous victory, our nation’s journey – towards equality, opportunity, and justice for everyone in this country – is far from over. Important, life-changing work remains before us. And, as we move forward in a manner consistent with the Court’s ruling, the Department of Justice is committed to continuing this work, and using every tool and legal authority available to us to combat discrimination and to safeguard the rights of all Americans.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano I applaud the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor holding that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. This discriminatory law denied thousands of legally married same-sex couples, many important federal benefits, including immigration benefits. I am pleased the Court agreed with the Administration’s position that DOMA’s restrictions violate the Constitution. Working with our federal partners, including the Department of Justice, we will implement today's decision so that all married couples will be treated equally and fairly in the administration of our immigration laws.l Gautam Raghavan is an Advisor in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Major Civil Rights Victory Against Stop and Frisk continued from page 2

compared to the year 2011. Of course, black and Hispanic New Yorkers, particularly males, did not need statistics to know the unfairness in the application of stop-and-frisk in minority neighborhoods in general, and to them in particular. The statistics showed that blacks made up 52% of all stops, Hispanics 31% of those stops and whites just 10% although the overall racial composition of the city is 23% black, 24% Hispanic and 33% white. More tellingly, they also showed that the police found weapons in a mere 1% of the blacks stopped, 1.1% of the Hispanics and 1.4% of the whites and found contraband other than weapons in very similar percentages (blacks 1.8%,Hispanics 1.7% and whites 2.3%). Not surprisingly, the police gave furtive movements and high-crime area as the basis for most of the stops; although their own records showed both basis were contra-indicated to arrest and "weak indicators of criminal activity." In fact, it would not be unfair to say that - furtive movements and high crime area - more accurately predicted the race of the person stopped rather than served as reliable grounds for reasonable suspicion to stop someone who the police would ultimately arrest. In almost every measure the statistics showed that whenever the police exercised their subjective judg-

The perpetrators of Stop and Frisk: Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly

ments, as the city's stop-and-frisk policy directs them to do, the race of the person stopped is the most predictive factor of whether or not a person will, indeed, be stopped and frisked. Thus, of the 3.9 million innocent people (88% of 4.4 million) who were stopped or stopped and frisked, the overwhelming majority were black or Hispanic. Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly, the city's lawyers and numerous white pundits claim that this does not necessarily indicate discrimination. They argue the stop-andfrisk policy is not discriminatory because police stop people where crime happens and the stop-and-frisk policy currently employed, has made New York City the safest big city in America. They seem to say that the stop-and-frisk exception the Supreme Court created in a case known as Terry v. Ohio, which changed the general constitutional rule that required a warrant or probable cause for all stops to a rule requiring only reasonable suspicion for stops and protective pat-downs for weapons; now include

stops merely based on race in any area they label as high crime. They take this stand, as Judge Shendlin properly notes, although nothing in Terry authorized such stops and despite the ruling of New York State's highest court in the case of People v. Debour rejecting such constitutional intrusions. In summary, Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD ask that black and brown New Yorkers surrender their constitutional protections so that white New Yorkers and tourists can feel safe in the city. Every New Yorker should, as did Judge Shendlin, decline this request. The federal and state constitutions both require we decline the invitation of city's officials to create a caste class with less constitutional rights than others even if stop-andfrisk actually makes the city safer. The price of freedom the 3.8 million innocently stopped-and-frisked New Yorkers, overwhelmingly black and brown, have to pay, is just too damn high. Remember, first they came for my neighbor and then they came for me.l

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Smart on Crime

Initiative

BY TYLER LEWIS, CIVILRIGHTS.ORG

n a speech before the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the U.S. Department of Justice would avoid charging low-level, nonviolent drug offenders who are not tied directly to large-scale trafficking organizations, gangs, or cartels with crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentencing. “By targeting the most serious offenses, prosecuting the most dangerous criminals, directing assistance to crime “hot spots,” and pursuing new ways to promote public safety, deterrence, efficiency, and fairness – we in the federal government can become both smarter and tougher on crime,” said Holder. The U.S. prison system has grown by nearly 300 percent since 1980, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Much of this growth has been fueled by the so-called “War on Drugs” and policies that have incarcerated large numbers of low-level, nonviolent people with drug offenses. According to the Sentencing Project, people incarcerated on a drug charge comprise half of the federal prison population and the number of people incarcerated on a drug charge in state prisons has increased thirteenfold since 1980. l

CIVIL RIGHTS

Ways to Protect the Rights of Noncitizens with Immigration Reform

BY TYLER LEWIS

key part of the comprehensive bill, S. 744, to fix our nation’s broken immigration system, includes changes that will address the fundamental rights that non-citizens have when they come into any contact with the immigration system. Here are 11 principles that the Senate should ensure make it into the final bill:

Consider the Facts. Immigration judges and agency officials should have the ability to consider the individual facts and grant relief in appropriate cases. These public officials make decisions on a daily basis that have serious consequences for immigrants and their U.S. citizen relatives and they need to have the discretion to do their job properly and ensure that every person is treated fairly and humanely.

Limit Detention. The Senate should retain provisions that limit the costly, unnecessary, and unfair detention of people who are in immigration proceedings and reject any amendments that would weaken these provisions.

Prohibit Racial Profiling. Immigration officials should be prohibited from using racial profiling. Congress should not sanction any form of racial profiling; it is inefficient and fundamentally un-American.

Restrict E-Verify. The Senate should amend language authorizing E-Verify, which still has a significant error rate, to mitigate some of its negative effects.

Provide a Real Chance for Citizenship. The Senate should not add anymore criteria that would exclude immigrants applying for RPI status (applying to get on the road to citizenship) to a bill that is already extremely tough to those convicted of felonies, aggravated felonies, other serious offenses, or those who pose a threat to national security or public safety criteria.

Invest in Rational Border Enforcement. Common-sense border policy should invest in our ports of entry and recognize that border enforcement spending must be rational while at the same time ensuring stronger oversight and accountability measures are put in place.

Assure Swift Judicial Review. The Senate must include provisions that authorize prompt judicial review of final administrative decisions under the Administrative Procedure Act to prevent injustice in cases where a single agency employee misinterprets the law.

Handle Visa Violations Fairly. The Senate should oppose more punitive and less constructive provisions to address those noncitizens who overstay their

visas, including provisions that would impose mandatory imprisonment or deny hearings prior to deportation.

Ensure a Uniform Federal Law. The Senate bill should ensure that immigration is governed by uniform federal law throughout the country by preventing the improper state and local targeting of individuals for harassment and punishment.

Protect Vulnerable Populations. The Senate should reject any effort to weaken or limit the rights of people with significant mental disabilities, unaccompanied minors, or other vulnerable populations to have counsel appointed to them in immigration proceedings.

Restrict the Use of Solitary Confinement. The Senate should reject any effort to reinstate arbitrary filing deadlines or to punish asylum seekers and refugees by delaying important reforms, and protect provisions that restrict the use of solitary confinement in immigration detention, which is especially dangerous when used against asylum seekers, refugees, and other vulnerable people.l

Learn How to Manage Your Business’ Finances Effectively & Efficiently with our Quickbooks Workshop Topics: Workshop lNavigating QuickBooks Fee: $100* lSetting Up Your Account (for 5 sessions) lWorking with Vendors & Clients *Includes Free lManaging Payroll individual Chamber membership lDoing Bank Reconcilations $100 value lCreating Reports lDealing with Day-to-Day Transactions

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Visit www.mynacc.org for workshop date and registration For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

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Restore Voting Rights

continued from page 2 need for, and constitutionality of the statute.

Until June 26, 2013 Section 5 applied to all or part of 16 states: •States covered in their entirety: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia •States with counties or townships covered by Section 5: California, Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and South Dakota

Any jurisdiction could “bail out” from Section 5 if it could demonstrate compliance with the VRA for the previous 10 years.

• 69 jurisdictions bailed out between 1984 and 2009, when Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder (NAMUDNO) was decided. • 140 additional jurisdictions have bailed out, since the NAMUDNO decision. •Every jurisdiction that has applied for a bailout to DOJ since the 1982 amendments went into effect has been granted it.

An American Principle The right to vote – regardless of who you are or what you look like – is a fundamental principle that all Americans can agree upon. The Supreme Court decision is an enormous setback for that right. We must respond to ensure that each American can enjoy his or her right to vote—free of discrimination. The Constitution is clear that Congress has complete authority to ensure that no voter is denied the right to vote on account of race. That authority is vital to protecting our democracy. While we have made many strides as a country in extending the franchise to all, the weight of the evidence is clear: discrimination in voting remains a troubling and persistent practice in too many places. The Voting Rights Act is the most successful and important piece of civil rights legislation of the 20th century – and its work is still far from over. Jurisdictions across the country, large and small, continue to purge voter rolls, move polling places, and otherwise dilute, pack, suppress or gerrymander away the rights of voters. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act has been the single most potent deterrent our nation had to protect them, and it must continue to perform that important function. It is for all of these reasons that the durable bipartisan consensus that has reauthorized the Voting Rights Act four times must come back together to take steps to provide new, modern, and effective protections for all voters. We are calling on Americans of all backgrounds, races, and political parties to demand that Congress come together to restore voting rights for all Americans.l

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TIME FOR ACTION In Trayvon’s Name continued from page 2

While that process moves forward, there is much more that all of us can do to prevent future tragedies like this one, and to move America toward a more perfect union. It’s time to turn outrage into profound and lasting action. While the jury’s verdict has catalyzed the most recent protests, almost every aspect of the case has raised concern: the fact that young Trayvon was so quickly and automatically considered a suspect by George Zimmerman; the failure of Sanford, Florida police to immediately arrest Zimmerman in the wake of the homicide; the reckless Stand Your Ground laws in Florida and 21 other states that support unnecessary killings when escape is safely possible; the prosecutors’ mishandling of the case—including a profound misunderstanding of the role of race; and the widely differing perceptions of the case’s implications by Americans of different backgrounds. Fortunately, practical solutions exist to address each of these issues, nationally and in communities around the country. And there are concrete actions that each of us can take to push for transformative change. The Opportunity Agenda offers practical tools and resources to support the call for equality, justice, and understanding:

•End Racial Profiling. The same racial biases at work in the Trayvon Martin case

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lead to thousands of unjust police stops, humiliating searches, illegitimate arrests, and unjustified shootings of young black men and others by law enforcement in communities around the country. A lack of effective federal laws, combined with local policies like New York City’s flawed “stop-and-frisk” practices, have the effect of encouraging those abuses. Use our recommendations to push for just solutions, including the federal End Racial Profiling Act and state and local “Trayvon’s Laws.” Clear rules outlawing racial profiling, combined with training for officers, clear guidelines and accountability, and a focus on evidence instead of stereotypes, has been shown to reduce bias, protect public safety and promote equal justice under law. Find your members of Congress here and call for an end to racial profiling. •Stop Distorted Media Depictions of Black Men and Boys. Over a decade of

Martin’s parents

research compiled by The Opportunity Agenda shows that the mass media—news outlets, Hollywood entertainment, music videos, video games, and other programming—paint a distorted and negative picture of African-American men and boys that influences attitudes towards them, as well as their own self-perceptions. By over-associating Black males with crime and violence—far out of proportion to factual reality—these media depictions foster negative stereotypes and influence behavior by police officers, employers, and the larger public. Use our communications strategies to push for more accurate and balanced depictions, and share the research with others. In the coming weeks, we’ll be supporting the creation of Community Media Justice Teams to monitor media depictions and push for accurate, balanced coverage of Black males’ lives.

Concerned Americans For Racial Equality

IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED: þVerbal Abuse by Police

þPhysical Abuse by Police

þDenial of a Lawyer

þViolation of your Constitutional Rights

þLearn How to Expunge Your Criminal Results

þLearn How to Apply for Civil Relief

•Build Understanding and Support. Differing reactions to the Zimmerman prosecution and verdict are just the most recent reminder that Americans tend to think and talk past each other when it comes to questions of racial or ethnic discrimination. In particular, many Americans are unaware of the continuing influence of racial bias in our nation, many fail to understand modern forms of discrimination like implicit bias and institutional inequity, and still others see racial injustice but believe that nothing can be done about it. Our popular resource, Ten Lessons for Talking About Racial Equity in the Age of Obama, helps to bridge that divide and build public support for promoting equal opportunity.

•Repeal Stand Your Ground Laws. While the defense did not invoke Florida’s Stand Your Ground law in the Zimmerman trial, those laws (which empower people to kill others whom they find threatening even when safely running away is an option) affect individuals’ behavior and police and prosecutorial decision-making, as well as jury verdicts. Join the effort by colorofchange.org to end Stand Your Ground and other “Shoot First” laws.

As we honor Trayvon Martin’s life and call for justice in his death, we must make his legacy one of broad and lasting change—to our criminal justice system, to our mass media, and to the way we treat each other as human beings.l

Different Shades Scattered Globally Same Goal

FREE Police Misconduct Complaint Procedure & Litigation Seminar

Then attend a FREE Seminar to learn how to bring a lawsuit against the CITY

To register please call 718-243-9431

Free Seminar The first Thursday of each month at 6pm. To register call: 718-243-9431

Demographics: As of the census of 2010, there are 2,504,700 people and 1,000,293 households in the County of Kings. The racial makeup of the County is 42.8% White, 34.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.08% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races; 19.8% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race; 35.7% of the population are Whites not of Hispanic origins. Question: Why are a disproportionate number of “people of color” being arrested and charged in criminal court?

Get a free consultation on police misconduct or any other discrimination issue, when you become a member of CARE. Call 718-243-9431 to schedule an appointment For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Handling Relationship Culture Shock

BY JENNINE ESTES

hen I left America to live in Spain for a year, I couldn’t always find toilet paper in the bathrooms. Something that most people in the US simply expect to be there could not be relied on, so I adapted. Everywhere I went, I kept tissues in my purse, and eventually it just became normal that I sometimes had to dip into my personal tissue stash. When I came back to the United States, I had a reverse culture shock — every bathroom had toilet paper and many also have paper towels. Something that I had thought of as “normal” and an expected convenience before I left for Spain, suddenly took me off guard. I had to adjust yet again, learning to accept this convenience that actually made life easier and should have just made me happy. Why am I telling you about toilet paper? Because sometimes relationships function the same way I did when I adapted to a loss of toilet paper. We should just be used to having some things in our relationships — whether it’s supporting words from our partner, trust, or the ability to laugh at ourselves. We learn to adapt without certain things when we have to, but if we suddenly have these basic needs again from the same partner or a new one — we experience culture shock. Now that we have relationship

hang out with your girlfriends before without your boyfriend calling 15 times, you might think your new boyfriend doesn’t care about you because he actually extends trust and lets you enjoy a night out uninterrupted. When you snap at him, he’ll be confused. Let him know, “I’ve never had the ability to hang out with my friends before without it ending up in a fight, so I don’t know how to handle this” so he knows where you’re coming from. If you just let your adjustment make you grumpy without explanation, you can’t work through it together.

necessities, we are so used to carrying around metaphorical tissue to take care of ourselves that it can be hard to accept what our partner offers. Here are some tips for getting over relationship culture shock so you can move forward in a healthy way.

Let Yourself Experience the Shock Suppressing your feelings won’t help your relationship shock. Just like real culture shock, you need to acknowledge

your new surroundings and let yourself feel the anxiety. You can’t sit with those feelings forever, but to move past them you have to first call it like it is. Think about why the changes are so alarming — what were you missing in the past, and how have you been making yourself self-sufficient without it? Be Transparent Let your partner in on what you’re experiencing. If you’ve never been allowed to

Remind Yourself that You’re Worth It Sometimes your relationship shock can happen because you don’t think you’re worth the consistency you get from your new partner. If you’re getting support and a safe place when you’ve always been put down, you can question if you’re really good enough for what you have now. Remind yourself that you ARE worth having a consistent and trustworthy partner in your life. Sometimes going to a counselor will be what it takes to learn how to accept your relationship dynamic as something you are worthy of.l

Jennine Estes is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Please visit her website at www.estestherapy.com

GREEN CARD SLAVERY? Don’t put up with ABUSE anymore! We can get a Green Card for you and your children PLUS a divorce. Call 718-222-3155 now for a FREE consultation!

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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

CARE Concerned Americans For Racial Equality CARE

Different Shades Scattered Globally Same Goal

Stop Police Misconduct — Stop Racism

Concerned Americans for Racial Equality

w w w .f i g er o ux. co m

Tel: 718.243.9431 Fax: 718.222.3153

Ahmadou Diallo

Are you a victim of police misconduct or a victim of racism? Then visit our office for a free consultation! Call 718.243.9431 for an appointment. We will work with you for justice.

Egbert Dewgard

Patrick Dorrismond

Alberta Spruill

Abner Louima

WHAT TO SAY TO THE POLICE: 1. What to say to the police is always important. What you say can be used against you and it can give the police an excuse to arrest you, especially if you bad mouth an officer. 2. You don't have to answer a police officer's questions but you must show your driver's license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations you can't be legally arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer. 3. You don't have to consent to any search of yourself, your car or your house. If you DO consent to a search, it can affect your rights later in court. If the police say they have a search warrant, ASK TO SEE IT. 4. Do not interfere with or obstruct the police - you can be arrested for that. IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING: 1. It's not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer questions can make the police officer suspicious of you. You can’t be arrested merely for refusing to identify yourself on the street. 2. Police may "pat-down" your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon. Don't physically resist, but make it clear that you don't consent to any further search. 3. Ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have a right to know why. 4. Don't “bad mouth” the police officer or run away, even if you believe that you are innocent.

IF YOU ARE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR: 1. Upon request, show them your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. In certain cases, your car can be searched without a warrant as long as the police have probable cause. To protect yourself later, you should make it clear that you do not consent to a

.IN YOUR HOME! 1. If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you don't have to admit them unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. 2. However, in some emergency situations (like when a person is screaming for help inside or when the police are chasing someone) officers are allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant. 3. If you are arrested, the police can search you and the area close by. If you are in a building, "close by" usually means just the room you are in. We all recognize the need for effective law enforcement, but we should also understand our own rights and responsibilities—especially in our relationships with the police-Everyone, including minors, has the right to courteous and respectful police treatment. If your rights are violated, do nott try to deal with the situation at the scene. You can discuss the matter with an attorney afterwards or file a complaint with the Internal Affairs or Civilian Complaint Board.

What to Do If You're Stopped by the Police: Be polite and respectful. Never “bad mouth” a police officer. Stay calm and in control of your words, body, language and emotions. Don't get into an argument with the police. Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you.

Our Message

Do you remember these names - Eleanor Bumpers, Michael Stewart, Anthony Baez, Ahmadou Diallo and Patrick Dorrismond? Ancient history? What about these names Egbert Dewgard, Alberta Spruill and Ousmana Zongo? Sounds more familiar? Police brutality is not ancient history; it is current reality. In the first four days in January 2003, five young Blacks and Hispanics were shot to death by "New York's Finest." In the first six months of 2003, 27 young Blacks and Hispanics have been shot to death by the "Men in Blue.” The most effective weapon we can use is the weapon of knowledge. "An informed community is an empowered community."

For a FREE Police Misconduct Complaint Procedure & Litigation Seminar Visit www.mynacc.org

search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to consent to a search. 2. If you are given a ticket, you should sign it; otherwise you can be arrested. You can always fight the case in court later. 3. If you're suspected of drunk driving (DWI) and refuse to take a blood, urine or breath test, your driver's license may be suspended.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED OR TAKEN TO A POLICE STATION: 1. You have the right to remain silent and to talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Don't give any explanations, excuses or stories. You can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decide is best. 2. Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you can't pay for a lawyer, you have a right to a free one. Ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted. Don't say anything without a lawyer. 3. Within a reasonable time after your arrest or booking you have the right to make a local phone call to a lawyer, bail bondsman, relative or any other person. The police may not listen to the call to the lawyer. 4. Sometimes you can be released without bail, or have bail lowered. Have your lawyer ask the judge about this possibility. You must be taken before the judge on the next court day after arrest. 5. Do not make any decisions in your case until you have talked to a lawyer.

Keep your hands where the police can see them. Do not run. Do not touch any police officer. Do not resist even if you believe you are innocent. Do not complain on the scene or tell the police they're wrong or that you're going to file a complaint. Do not make any statements regarding the incident. Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest. Remember the officer's badge & patrol car numbers. Write down everything you remember, ASAP. Try to find witnesses’ names and phone numbers. If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first. If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint with the police department's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board. Text prepared by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Volunteer

If you are a student, computer analyst, journalist, doctor, lawyer, minister or community activist, and you wish to volunteer in this battle against police brutality, please contact us at 718-243-9431 or at email us at immjournal@aol.com. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." We will prevail, because our cause is just.

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SOCIAL CONCERNS

NAACP Calls for Housing Finance Policies That Increase Homeownership

BY HILARY O. SHELTON

he NAACP strongly believes that homeownership is a catalyst for safer and more secure communities, and is an important vehicle for creating and sustaining wealth in communities of color. For decades, the equity in our homes has provided the capital for start-up businesses and college educations for our children. In the aftermath of the housing collapse in 2007, government policies have focused on helping Wall Street and the Big Banks, not the middle-class or families of color. Minorities lost millions of dollars of wealth from the sharp decline in housing values, yet we are faced with a series of public policies that offer little assistance to troubled homeowners and are now poised to construct new roadblocks on the path to homeownership. We want to applaud President Obama for not endorsing the Corker-Warner legislation; the Corker-Warner bill is a threat to the middle-class, and to communities of color. It will take us backwards and not forwards. Before the 1930s, home mortgages were largely short-term loans that only the upper class could afford â&#x20AC;&#x201D; only the privileged could purchase a home in

America. After the Great Depression, the nation enacted polices and incentives that made the 30-year mortgage, with no prepayment penalties, the foundation of housing finance. This new standard loan made homeownership affordable to more people, an expansion that would not have been sustained without federal support through Fannie Mae, the Federal Housing Administration, the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) System, the mortgage interest deduction and other incentives. With these agencies and policies in place, America's housing market grew substantially, lifting the economy as well as increasing the wealth of many urban and rural families. From the 1940s until the recent mortgage crisis, homeownership rates rose from 40 percent to more than 66 percent. It changed America, helping build middle-class communities. These policies helped build wealth in working-class families â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whites and people of color. Families built solid financial security. Any restructuring of the housing finance industry must sustain home ownership opportunities so the next generation can have opportunities to prosper. But what we are seeing are proposals that will make it virtually impossible for

financing system must balance the needs of families with the needs of Big Banks and Wall Street. To be blunt, the pending legislation fails to prioritize the needs of working families. Since the housing market crash in 2007, measures have focused on restoring Wall Street and the Big Banks, with not enough attention on Main Street and the homeowners facing foreclosures. By raising interest rates, insurance premiums and down payments, the pending legislation will construct more roadblocks for working families. These measures will represent more failed public policy.

many in the middle- class, and particularly people of color, to purchase homes in the future. In fact, none of the legislation under consideration will assure that there will be low-cost, mortgage financing available for families and individuals that have good credit histories, stable income and want to buy homes. America needs a fair housing finance system that can spur a robust recovery for housing, as well as the overall economy. Going forward, our nation's housing

For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

Specifically, here are some of our concerns about the Corker-Warner legislation:

* It fails to mention that the mission of any successor to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must include that of ensuring universally available, low cost mortgage credit for working and middle class families. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac perform that function and are measured by that objective. The Corker-Warner created insurance fund does not have that goal/objective. continued on the next page

SOCIAL CONCERNS

Call for Housing Finance Policies... continued from previous page

* The mission of any successor to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must include ensuring that universally available, low cost mortgage credit is available for working and middle class families. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac perform that function and are measured by that objective. The Corker-Warner created insurance fund does not have that goal/objective.

* The affordable housing entity contained in the Corker-Warner bill will not meet the housing finance needs of very low, low, moderate and middle-income families. Middle and moderate-income families have about $5 trillion in outstanding mortgages today. The fund would have about $250 billion. The fund is necessary to provide rental subsidies and some lower income homeownership gap financing, but it needs to be charged with meeting the credit needs of at a minimum working and middle-income homeowners.

* An explicit on budget guarantee will squeeze funding from other lower income housing programs and FHA. The current implicit guarantee that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac enjoy is not on budget and thus does not impact FHA funding or funding for other housing credit program. Putting the FMIC on budget could also allow housing opponents to limit the amount of insurance funds available for mortgage finance independent of market demand.

* It allows unlimited guarantee fees to be charged. The mortgage insurance fund would be paid for by its guarantee fee income. The guarantee fees would be largely based upon potential risk, with no caps, and these fees could be passed on to struggling homebuyers because there is no prohibition on the fees being included on the mortgage cost to the homebuyer. Unlimited guarantee fees could also be raised to shift the mortgage backed securities market toward private label mortgage backed securities - the very instruments used to expand the subprime and predatory mortgage markets in the 20042008 period. * Non-depository banks and intermediaries that would be issuing MBS with government insurance would not be required to have solid Community

Reinvestment Act ("CRA") ratings, meet Home Mortgage Disclosure Act ("HMDA") standards or meet proxy standards for CRA or HMDA (depository institutions would obviously have to be CRA compliant).

* Nothing would ensure that insurance is being provided to entities that serve low, moderate and middle income communities or that meet the race and gender scrutiny of HMDA. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as secondary market entities were subjected to ensuring that they provided secondary market access for lower, moderate and middle-income communities.

* It facilitates big institutional intermediaries. There is no requirement for minority participation in the private mortgage insurers or servicers that are eligible to participate. The governing structure of the insurance fund does not include any community representation. The 5-person commission that would govern the FMIC should include someone engaged in community based lending or a policy maker with experience in low, moderate and middle income housing finance.

Our communities need a finance system that provides credit to a broad and diverse population, rather than one in which credit and housing choices are more costly, more limited, and less sustainable, especially for low- and moderate-income households, households of color, and rural households. Without this broad access to credit, neither buyers nor sellers can transact business as they would like, which could once again destabilize home values.

It is critical that the government not withdraw from supporting homeownership. There needs to be sustained publicprivate partnerships that can provide liquidity for lenders and support the 30year-fixed rate mortgage, a product that has played a major role in supporting homeownership for America's families.l Hilary O. Shelton is the Senior Vice President for Advocacy for the NAACP where he directs the NAACP Washington Bureau. Mr. Shelton has more than 20 years of experience in government relations and federal advocacy.

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Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

t’s election time now. Incumbents are looking to stay in office. Challengers are looking to get into office. Some candidates are looking to move into new offices. Now is the time to get your message across for the issues that are important to you and your community. The message is simple: Tell politicans that they must make immigration a priority at the local and city levels. Tell your Congressional representatives that they must bring up, and pass, a bill that provides a roadmap to citizenship for aspiring Americans. We know that those who oppose inclusion of new Americans in our society will be out in full force, and that’s why we need you to be proactive. Together we can make this happen—the time is now.l

Real Estate Transactions for Buyers & Sellers, Foreclosure Inoculation & Financing Your Business through Home Ownership Buying a home is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t understand the entire process. Knowing what to expect will help you make the right decisions about your home purchase. So, whether you are considering homeownership for the first time or currently own a home and need help with your mortgage, or interested in building a real estate portfolio, this seminar provides you with the important tools and

RSVP:

Telephone: 718-722-9217 Email: info@mynacc.org Website: www.mynacc.org

Location: 26 Court Street, Suite 701, downtown Brooklyn Space is limited. Must register to attend.

Date: Thursday, Sept 19, 2013 6pm to 8pm

Visit www.mynacc.org to register today!

For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

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IMMIGRATION

Lessons from the Civil Rights Era for Immigration Reformers

Photo: SEIU

BY HILARY O. SHELTON

n the 50th Anniversary of the historic “March on Washington” which led to some of the most significant legislative victories in the civil rights movement, it’s hard to not reflect on the influence that activists and legislators in the 1960’s have had and should have on the immigrant rights movement today. There are, in fact at least two very important takeaways for immigration reformers. First, the activists in the 60’s showed that the power was indeed in the hands of the people and flexing political muscle would pay off. Second, final passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act demonstrated how strong political leaders can negotiate controversial bills and get them across the finish line. On the activist end, this August, as Congress went on recess, the broadening immigrant rights community is organizing and executing hundreds of events around the country in an effort to raise the political stakes and public profile of immigration reform. Many of today’s young activists have been inspired by the courageous people who led the protests against unequal treatment in the 1960’s and their tactics continue to be emulated.

The Washington Post reports: An unusual alliance of advocates — including Internet moguls and evangelicals, representatives of big business and labor unions — is working across the country during the August congressional recess in an all-out push for immigration reform. The broad effort, which also includes immigrant rights groups, is using diverse tactics, too. There are roundtables and rallies, sit-ins and voter registration drives, as well as expensive radio and television ads. In Georgia, activists plan to deliver Mexican, Korean and other international food to a congressman’s office to highlight the many immigrant communities that are part of his district.

America’s Voice reports, at least 24 House Republicans have come out in support of immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship. This is key, as the fate of immigration reform sits in the hands of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. As for lawmakers, the struggle over the 1964 civil rights law is instructive. Like immigration reform, it was a controversial bill and held up in one chamber (Senate not House) as different factions dug in their heels. Southern Democrats fought against civil rights and many amendments and changes were made over months of negotiations. The only hope of passage was strong party leadership. Such is the case today. There is no doubt divisions remain in the House over immigration reform and there are different factions, even among the

Republicans about how to move (or not move) forward. However, it will ultimately be up to the leaders of the Republican Party to negotiate a way forward. Like Civil Rights in the 1960’s and Immigration Reform today, Congress must decide whether the United States will allow a large swath of its population to be full, equal participants in its Democracy or not? As Senator Hubert Humphrey said on the day of the cloture vote on the Civil Rights bill “The Constitution of the United States is on trial. The question is whether we will have two types of citizenship in this nation, or first-class citizenship for all.” And this is the question before the House of Representatives on immigration reform now. Will they offer the 11 million people living and working in this country a chance a full “first-class citizenship”? Or relegate them to something less? Senator Dirksen’s issued a warning to his colleagues before the Senate vote in 1964 which still rings true today on immigration: “we dare not temporize with the issue which is before us. It is essentially moral in character. It must be resolved. It will not go away. It’s time has come.”l

ALL IMMIGRATION MATTERS lGET THE FACTS

And just as inspired activism paid off in the 60’s it still works today. As

lBE SMART

lMAKE THE RIGHT DECISION

lBEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD

uHealth Care (RN/OT/PT/TSHH/SLP’S & IT Cases) uExtension of Status & Visa Renewals uWork Authorization uH-IB Professional Workers uF-1 Students uJ-1 Exchange Visitor Trainees uO-1 Extraordinary Ability uR-1 Religious Workers uU.S. Citizenship uFamily-sponsored Permanent Residence uGreen Cards/Labor Certification (RIR) uImmigration Visa Petitions:Employment Based uTemporary Work Visas uNaturalization Derivative Petitions uLabor Certifications uApplication for Asylum uPetitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus

uAppeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals

uLawsuits involving Eligibility and Processing for Citizenship

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lPERSONAL INJURY lACCIDENTS lFAMILY LAW lPOLICE BRUTALITY lCRIMINAL LAW lCIVIL LITIGATION lBANKRUPTCY lREAL ESTATE

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MONEY MATTERS

Divorcing? How to Avoid Foreclosure

ften in the course of a divorce, couples find it difficult to agree on what to do with their homes. In the past, when divorcing homeowners faced a foreclosure, they could simply sell the property and equitably distribute the profits. However, due to the fact that many houses are now “underwater” (where the fair market value is lower than the total amount owed on the mortgage debt), it is difficult, if not impossible, to sell the home at a profit or even break even on a sale. This does not mean that there are no options available when facing a foreclosure in the middle of a divorce. It is in fact possible for one spouse to retain the property, if he or she desires it, or to dispose of the property without having to succumb to foreclosure. Ways to Avoid a Foreclosure When Going Through a Divorce These foreclosure alternatives require the cooperation of both spouses, which may be difficult during a divorce.

Short Sale If the property is underwater and the divorcing homeowners wish to dispose of the property, an alternative to a foreclosure is a short sale. A short sale is a transaction where the homeowners sell the property for less than is owed on the mortgage. The lender must agree to accept the proceeds, which fall short of paying off the total mortgage debt. In some cases, the difference between the sales price and the mortgage debt will be forgiven. In others, the lender

may require that the borrowers remain jointly liable for the deficiency (meaning the difference between the sales price and the total debt), though it may be possible to bargain for a reduced deficiency or to offer a lump sum settlement to satisfy the remaining debt.

Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure A deed in lieu of foreclosure (deed in lieu) is a transaction where the homeowners grant title to the property to the lender in exchange for the lender releasing them from the mortgage. This can be a viable option in a divorce to dispose of the property and avoid a foreclosure. In most cases, a deed in lieu will be in exchange for full satisfaction of the debt. However, it is possible that a deficiency could exist with a deed in lieu. If the deed in lieu documents clearly state the amount of the deficiency, which will be the difference between the fair market value and the mortgage debt, this means that the borrowers remain jointly liable for the deficiency amount. To avoid a deficiency with a deed in lieu, the borrowers must negotiate forgiveness of any deficiency amount that is owed to the lender. As with short sales, it is also possible to negotiate a reduced deficiency or pay a lump sum to settle any remaining debt associated with a deed in lieu.

Renting Out the Home When divorcin,g borrowers find they cannot sell the property or complete a deed in lieu, sometimes it is possible to rent the

property and then apply the rental income towards the mortgage. This can, however, be a difficult option since the divorcing couple remains responsible for the property, as well as the mortgage, and must come up with a mutually agreeable arrangement for managing the rental.

apply for a loan modification, though both borrowers will remain responsible for the loan even after its modified. If one spouse won’t agree, this can be a complicated, if not unworkable endeavor, since both borrowers will need to sign the loan modification agreement. However, once a divorce settlement is finalized and one borrower is awarded the property, then that borrower can apply for loss mitigation assistance solely. If that borrower qualifies for a loan modification, the co-borrower may be released from liability on the loan and his or her signature will not be needed. Of course, this is subject to any provisions in the divorce decree. For example, if the divorce decree states the remaining borrower must refinance to remove the co-borrower from the mortgage, then a loan modification will not be granted.

Loan Modification Another option if one of the divorcing borrowers wants to retain the property is to

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Refinancing the Mortgage If one spouse wants to keep the property, that spouse can refinance the property so that the co-borrower is released from the debt. Frequently, the terms of a divorce will require a refinance if one borrower wants to retain the property. However, refinancing may not be possible if the borrower who wants to keep the home is in financial distress due to a lost job or reduced income, or if the property is severely underwater.

When to Seek Counsel The logistics of arranging any of these options can be problematic during a divorce when parties find it difficult to work with one another. If you are dealing with foreclosure during a divorce and are having a difficult time reaching an agreement with your spouse about what to do with the home, you should seek the assistance of a qualified attorney who can inform you about which options are available and can facilitate arrangements to divest or retain the property.l

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FINANCE & TAXES

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Five Tax Tips if You're Starting a Business

Do You Qualify for ETIC?

1. Type of Business. Early on, you will need to decide the type of business entity you are going to establish. The most common types are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation and Limited Liability Company. Each type reports its business activity on a different federal tax form.

ITC, the Earned Income Tax Credit, sometimes called EIC is a tax credit to help you keep more of what you earned. It is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. Congress originally approved the tax credit legislation in 1975 in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. When EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit.

f you plan to start a new business, or you've just opened your doors, it is important for you to know your federal tax responsibilities. Here are five tips to help you get started.

2. Types of Taxes. The type of business you run usually determines the type of taxes you pay. The four general types of business taxes are income tax, selfemployment tax, employment tax and excise tax.

3. Employer Identification Number. A business often needs to get a federal EIN for tax purposes. Check with us to find out whether you need this number. If you do, we can help you apply for one.

Keeping good 4. Recordkeeping. records helps you when it's time to file your business tax forms at the end of the year. They help track deductible expenses

and support all the items you report on your tax return. Good records also help you monitor your business' progress and prepare your financial statements. You may choose any recordkeeping system that clearly shows your income and expenses. Call us if you need assistance setting up your recordkeeping system.

5. Accounting Method. Each taxpayer must also use a consistent accounting method, which is a set of rules that determine when to report income and expenses. The most common are the cash method and accrual method. Under the cash method, you normally report income in the year you receive it and deduct expenses in the year you pay them. Under

the accrual method, you generally report income in the year you earn it and deduct expenses in the year you incur them. This is true even if you receive the income or pay the expenses in a future year. We can help you figure out which accounting method is best for your business.

If you're a new business owner or are thinking about starting a business, don't hesitate to call us today. We're here to help new business owners like you understand the tax aspects of running a business. l Source: www.nettaxservices.com

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Do You Qualify for EITC? To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. You must have earned income from employment, self-employment or another source and meet certain rules. Also, you must either meet the additional rules for workers without a qualifying child or have a child that meets all the qualifying child rules for you.l Source: www.irs.gov

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VOTE 2013

Charles “Joe” Hynes is the Clear Choice for Brooklyn District Attorney

BY PEARL PHILLIP

efore District Attorney Hynes was elected into office in 1992, there were over 700 murders a year and 1 out of every 15 Brooklynites were victims of a serious crime. In the 23 years since Mr. Hynes has been Brooklyn District Attorney, the crime rate has plummeted to its lowest rate in decades, and he continues to create ever more innovative methods to make sure that number gets even lower. He has also started and expanded over 40 programs for the formerly incarnated, domestic violence victims, at risk youth, and seniors throughout the borough of Brooklyn. The programs initiated by District Attorney Hynes are some of the most effective and innovative. They are so successful they are imitated across the country, and they are why we enthusiastically endorse his reelection. Mr. Hynes knows that in order to protect Brooklyn neighborhoods from violent crimes residents must be involved. This is why he has opened over 35 community offices in neighborhoods such as Canarsie, Brownsville and Bushwick that have allowed residents to speak directly with a community representative on a multitude of issues. It was Mr. Hynes that brought our communities the Safe Stop program, which allows business owners to become a safe stop location and provide safe haven for neighborhood residents in case of an emergency. There are 253 safe stops throughout Brooklyn, and it recently expanded in Brownsville. Mr. Hynes’s ComALERT (Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together) program has successfully reestablished the formerly incarcerated back in Brooklyn. A combination of effective and traditional services assist individuals by providing substance abuse treatment and counseling, anger management, job readiness courses, transitional housing and health insurance enrollment. A Harvard University study showed that Hynes’ program has resulted in reducing the rate of reoffenders and has made Brooklyn safer. Gang violence has also been vastly reduced under the District Attorney who has a committed Gang Bureau that focuses on prevention, as well as prosecution of the young men and women affiliated with gangs. In working with parents, teachers and community leaders, Mr. Hynes provides alternatives to prison, and guides many of our young people back to school or work and away from gangs. The same can be said for his splendid Back on Track Program that assists children in the community reenter school, attain their GED, provide mentoring and sharpen their job skills. When Mr. Hynes first became District Attorney he created a Civil Rights Bureau and Legal Lives Program, one of

Safe Stop Program

Back On Track Graduation Program

Mock Trial Competition

the nation’s first. The program has since inception educated the public on their rights as American citizens. He has collaborated with local elected officials and clergymen on his Gun BuyBack Program that has taken thousands of guns off the streets. Recently, Mr. Hynes hosted his fourth Gun Buy-Back event that successfully collected 69 guns in six hours. Brooklyn District Attorney Hynes has a proven record of convicting offenders,

getting guns off the streets, educating children, providing alternative to incarceration programs, and helping the formerly incarcerated rebuild their lives after serving their time. He is committed to justice and because of his leadership Brooklyn has never been safer or stronger. Charles J. Hynes is the obvious choice for another term as Brooklyn District Attorney. Caribbean American Weekly strongly endorses, Charles J. Hynes to continue as

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Gun Buy Back Program

Citation of Honor Award Ceremony

the District Attorney for Kings County, Brooklyn. There is a saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, it ain’t broke and it doesn’t need fixing. Mr. Hynes is a great District Attorney and one that is such a shining example, that his innovative programs are emulated across the country. We are fortunate in Brooklyn to have the original; not an imitation. Let’s stick with it. Let’s support and vote on September 10 for Charles J. Hynes as District Attorney for Brooklyn. l

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VOTE 2013

Saundra Thomas: A New Leadership in Brooklyn’s City Council 40th District

BY VANDELL PARK

ith just a few weeks remaining for the municipal Democratic primaries, a number of candidates vying for key City Council district seats are beginning to distance themselves as the races evolve. It appears that a number of incumbents manning City Council districts across Brooklyn are being challenged for their positions in the upcoming September 2013 City Council elections. Here in Brooklyn, City Councilmember Mattheiu Eugene of Brooklyn’s 40th District is seemingly facing dethronement, by a candidate who seems to be resonating with the people of the district already. Saundra Thomas, a 29 -year media veteran and communications specialist, is said to be making inroads in the 40th City Council District. In an interview with Caribbean American Weekly, Thomas, who took a leave of absence from her 12-year post as Vice President of Community Affairs at WNBC-TV Channel 7, says she is excited that she has answered the call to serve her community. Since moving around the community she added, people are welcoming her with open arms: “My campaign is going well. I have a great team of hard- working people, seasoned folks

going out in the community and petitioning, talking to my neighbors… I think the reception is phenomenal. I also think that because of what is going on in politics right now there are some disgruntled people, who do not want to talk to you no matter who you are… I want to bring back that trust in the politician to the people. When people ask me who the City Council representative for the district is, it says a lot. I want people to know my name and to remember who I am. There is a lot of chatter about my running, but that just gives me momentum and more energy to continue doing the work. Part of what people are saying is that they need fresh blood, and that tells me that they are really hopeful and saying that here is someone who may be able to move us in the right direction.” Thomas, who has been living in Ditmas Park, Flatbush, for over 14 years now with her teenage daughter, says she loves working with people and the community and that love for community and a desire to see change and development in a positive direction is what motivated her to leave her job to run for the post of City Council member: “It is actually my concern for the future of young people in our city and specifically in our community that led me to do this. It is my feeling that

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Candidate Thomas interacting with youth in the 40th District

the issues that are affecting young people such as dropping out of school and not having access to quality education, people not finishing their GED’s, concerns about job training, it is all of these issues that let me decide that I need to get out of my comfort zone and get closer to these issues, and to try to provide opportunities that have been taken away from these young people. In addition to the youths, walking around the community people want access to you. They want their representative to listen to them; that’s one of their biggest complaints; they want to know that you can resolve some of their issues; they need their representative to be responsive to them. Those are things I’ve been very good at and I will have people on my team who are going to be responsive to these concerns, but it is my overall love for community and my ability to collaborate to bring about change which is why I have decided to run for this position.” According to Thomas, youth and education form the basis of her platform. She pointed out that an entire generation might be lost if steps are not taken now to stem the various issues and challenges bombarding the youths. She spoke of the marginalization they face, their disengagement in things that should matter to them and their community, the taking away of essential programs and services that will enable them to develop positively, are some of the areas that she will address once given the opportunity to represent the district at the City Council level: “When I take office in the City Council you know that it is four years and that sounds exciting; there are four years to do something. You have to have an agenda of the core issues you want to tackle. In terms of the strategy, you have to be able to bring people to the table, that is the thing I’ve been able to do throughout my life as well as my career.

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Bringing people to the table to have a conversation about what we are going to do about the various issues affecting our community. One of the things I was able to do for the eleven and a half years I worked at Channel 7, is collaborating with organizations be it government, nonprofits, businesses, religious institutions to collaborate on all kinds of projects. That’s what I think I am best at. It’s outlining what do we want to accomplish in year one, two or three and year four. I think it’s doable once you find core common values among the stake holders.” Thomas says she will fight for the best interest of the district, bringing in job opportunities she She will fight to keep Down State University Hospital open and running, bring back the after schoolprograms that have been taken away under the current City Councilmember Matthieu Eugene, and strive to ensure the residents of the district enjoy the livelihood the deserve: “Community is part of my life’s blood. It is who I am and who I will always be. People can count on me to be an advocate for them and champion their cause. I will do the best I can working together with the community to provide the things that we should have to be able to afford a certain quality of life.” Thomas has since outshined the incumbent Matthieu Eugene, by reaching her required financial quota thus being granted matching funds by the elections board, while Eugene failed to satisfy the board’s requirements in this regards. She is calling on the community to support her effort to bring about change. Those wishing to volunteer for her campaign and to support her, can go to her website Saundrathomas2013.com. Caribbean American Weekly endorses Saundra Thomas for City Council, 40th District.l

VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10. POLLS OPEN 6 AM - 9 PM www.saundrathomas2013.com 347.469.0059 f: /saundrathomas2013 t: @citycouncilsaun

EDUCATION. IMMIGRATION. HEALTH. HOUSING. SAFETY. JOBS. YOUTH.

WITH SO MUCH AT STAKE, WE NEED A REAL LEADER ON THE CITY COUNCIL. For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights

VOTE 2013

Robert Cornegy, Jr., Preacher’s Kid Seeks to Represent District 36

BY VANDELL PARK

he Editorial Board of Caribbean American Weekly endorses Robert Cornegy, Jr. in the District 36 NYC Council race. Here are excerpts from his interview. In September, Cornegy, is offering his leadership to District 36 in the New York City Council. Carnegie ran for the position in 2009 but was defeated by the then incumbent, Albert Vann. The seat becomes vacant due to Vann being term limited out. Carnegie says his love for people and his interest in being directly involved in their welfare has motivated him to run for the position since serving in this capacity will allow him direct access to resources that can benefit the communities within the district: “I am a preacher’s kid and we have been in the business of servant leadership from a very tender age. My dad, though deceased, has left us with a mandate to be helpful to the community which we serve and to give a voice to the voiceless. My reason for running is about ensuring that necessary resources are brought back to our communities where they belong. I come out of a movement of empowerment, and following the trail where the resources are led me to City Council. I’ve been on the ground for many, many years advocating for empowerment of people of color. Bed-Stuy being one of the last community of black home ownership, of black small business and entrepreneurship, are in need of some leadership and guidance on the City Council level that will allow them not only to sustain themselves, but to grow also and

that’s why I am sharing of myself to help them achieve their goals.” Cornegy says his platform as a candidate for the vacant city council position is simple: “one of the major tenants of my platform is small business and economic development. I believe what the President says, that this country will right its ship based on giving small businesses and entrepreneurship the capacity to grow. One of the things that I will do immediately and having done the preliminary work on it is creating a small business incubator for Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights that will give access to capital as well as technical assistance to small businesses so that they can grow and employ more. There are several small businesses in the community of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights that have committed to employing some 80% within a 2 or 3 mile radius. That’s a boom for the economy. There are people working, and there are businesses owners who understand that if we support them, they will support the economy of the community. We have a platform for education, making sure that there is reform for mayoral control. In the 36th District, we have the lion’s share of charter schools and we want to make sure that people in our community are given an opportunity to benefit from choices and not have the Department of Education (DOE) infringe upon us in a way that is unnatural, there needs to be more parental involvement in the school system so that the children can understand that there is community support behind their efforts. Police presence in schools is an area that I will personally tackle should I win the position.

The idea that school safety has evolved almost into a paramilitary has been detrimental for our kids. It allows for a structured conceivable growth for our children, but the way the school security is implemented and the way the police have taken over security in our schools signal a move in the wrong direction and that is one of the reforms I am talking about. Mayoral control of the Education Department has some good elements that will benefit the school system, but the way it was implemented under Mayor Bloomberg was far from what was intended, thus major reforms have to be made if it is to continue. My education platform is one that says, unfortunately, that all of our young people will not be college ready, but we need to make sure that we have technical programs that are available to them so that we can have a pipeline to jobs in the various industries that related to labor and the unions instead of a pipeline to prison, and we can do that. We can get in cahoots with our unions and make sure that we are funneling some of our young people who have shown a propensity to use their hands and could be skilled laborers, and there is no disrespect in that.” Cornegy says another area of focus for his campaign will be that of reforming the stop and frisk policy that is currently being used by the mayor and police department against people of color here in New York City: “Stop and frisk is a state-wide initiative, not just a city-initiative. Why does it work well in other parts of New York State? Why is it that in Utica and Syracuse we are not having issues? So we know that it’s the imple-

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mentation, therefore our mayor and our police commissioner has to be held accountable for the implementation of this system.” Cornegy is hoping that he can also become a strong advocate for Comprehensive Immigration Reform first within the City council and then on the federal level. He pointed out that the mayor and City Council members can lobby for certain immigration changes within the city: “As a council person I do have under my purview the ability to call on the state and federal levels to do many things. I am acutely aware of the situation because in Bed-Stuy, my Caribbean neighbors and friends are fearful to apply for citizenship for fear of deportation despite contributing significantly to the social and economic system of this country…some people feel like this country is not friendly to Caribbean immigrants. Other immigrants have opportunities and have access to a system that allows them opportunities for citizenship if they seek it. My friends from the Caribbean, Latin America and other places are very fearful that that system is not designed to assist them in their process of citizenship.” Cornegy currently works as a policy analyst for the City of New York on the committee of the aging and veterans. Cornegy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St John’s University in 1989 and a MBA in 2003. He also played professional basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers, from 1989 to 1990, before moving to play professional basketball in Europe from 1990 to 2000.l

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