The Westside Gazette

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NAACP PRESS CONFERENCE

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

PERMIT NO. 1179

The Fort Lauderdale Branch of the NAACP willhold a press conference concerning BSO’s dangerous, violent, and unprofessional arrest of 15-year old Delucca Rolle. Speakers include: Attorney Ben Crump, Pastor Marcus D. Davidson, Howard Finklestein, Dr. Rosiland Osgood, Gordon Weekes, the family and Branch President, Marsha Ellison.

“A Mother’s Love” Contest & Event

On Thursday, April 25th • 9am • Public Defender’s Office 201 SE 6th Street, #3872, Courthouse, 3rd Floor, North Wing, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

DETAILS ON PAGE 3

VOL. 48 NO. 12 50¢

THURSDAY, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

BSO’s Sheriff Tony Meets with Broward County Black Elected Officials Student gets face slammed into asphalt by deputy,

now what

By Perry Busby

Several community leaders, clergy and parents have been extremely outspoken concerning the conduct of these deputies who are shown on video pepper-spraying, body slamming and punching students and forcefully smashing one face into the asphalt. This all occurred at a McDonald’s restaurant near J.P. Taravella High school.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony recently stated he would have a “thorough investigation” concerning the deputies response to this situation.

Broward County’s Chief Assistant Public Defender Gordon Weekes, Jr. said: “The issue here is that improper police conduct should not be covered up or attempted to be covered up. The misconduct of the deputies and the tactics that were used were wrong, excessive and they are contrary to police training. In actuality it was police brutality on a child. If this type of conduct from our lawenforcement is condoned it will continue and escalate out of control. To have a student who was pepper sprayed

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s planned meeting on Saturday with members of Broward County Black Elected Officials and other community leaders was intended to be another opportunity for him to get better acquainted and hear their concerns. But, a

Black teenager’s rough arrest by deputies in a local McDonald’s parking lot on Thursday, and a widely shared video of it, put a test on the young relationship.

On Thursday, a 15-year-old Black male and Broward deputies got into a struggle in the parking lot of a McDonald’s in Tamarac.

(Cont’d on page 5)

Recommendations

By Sunshine State News The Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 7030, which implements the legislative recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, including the ability of eligible teachers who volunteer to carry guns.

The legislation builds on the enhanced school safety and security requirements established in the 2018 bill, SB 7026.

In a statement issued by the Senate president’s office, President Bill Galvano said, “In the year following the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission worked diligently

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

A M E S S A GE F ROM OU R PU BL IS H E R

Is More Attention Finally Being Given to Missing Black Girls?

THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION CONTINUES ITS SERIES ON MISSING BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

(Cont’d on page 3)

Senate Says ‘Yes’ to Implementing Stoneman Douglas Commission

As of presstime (Tuesday, April 23, 2019), Sheriff Gregory Tony made the following statement: “As we continue to gather information in our internal investigation, I have decided to change the deputies’ status from restricted administrative assignment to a suspended status as our investigation continues.”

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

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

Dejah McCondichie had last been seen sometime between 5 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at her home on the 3200 block of 4th (Cont’d on page 12)

Black Millennial Political Retired Army Captain brutalized by Convention Scheduled in City of Miami Police Officer Washington

By Jimmie Davis, Jr.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent An estimated 62 million Millennials – adults ages 20 to 35 in 2016 – were voting-age U.S. citizens in the nation’s electorate in 2016.

Millennials comprised 27 percent of the voting-eligible population, just below Baby Boomers – ages 52 to 70 – who made up 31 percent, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

African-American millennials are 14 percent of the total millennial population in the U.S. and 25 percent of the total Black population and it’s expected that by next year Black millennials buying power could exceed $200 billion.

With those and other statistics serving as a distant backdrop, organizers are preparing for the Black Millennial (Cont’d on page 13)

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

There’s nothing wrong with going to the park to meditate but City of Miami Police Officer Ioannys Courtesy of Facebook Llanes thought otherwise as he brutally victimized Retired Army Captain Oscar JulienRiou as he mulled over his next career move.

On December 10, 2018 around 7:00 pm JulienRiou was just sitting on a park bench minding his own business at Alonzo Kelly Park located at 1455 NW 67th Street in Liberty City, and Llanes pulled up and sat his patrol vehicle shining his light on Julien-Riou for nearly six minutes.

“Llanes got out of his vehicle and approached me and told me to leave the park because it was closed,” said Julien-Riou. “Public parks close at 10:00 pm. So how could I be breaking any law”?

As Julien-Riou attempted to explain to the officer that he was just videotaping himself, Llanes alleged that Julien-Riou “threw something to the ground.”

“The officer just used this as an excuse to attack me,” said Julien-Riou. “The officer manhandled me, and threw me to the ground, and the next thing I knew I was handcuffed for no apparent reason.”

Next, Julien-Riou says the officer called for backup, (Cont’d on page 5)

@_WestsideGazett

TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

For all of us who believe, the work starts now “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” John 8:36 (KJV)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Easter has come, and the resurrection has occurred so where do we go from here. All the Lenten Devotionals that we’ve read and studied in the Word to give us strength and to create for us a path to a closer walk in the Spirit have given us an increase in our faith to believe that God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one and we all are interconnected.

Our faith is being tested at every movement of the second hand on our clocks.

It is as if our lives are one gigantic final test, and our actions are the constant answers to the test.

(Cont’d on page 5)

Thursday April 25th

Mostly Cloudy

Sunrise: 6:48am

83° 73°

Sunset: 7:49pm

Fri

Sat

Sun

Mon

Tues

90° 72°

85° 72°

84° 72°

83° 73°

83° 74°

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

Deeply Rooted

PAGE 2 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

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The Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature these contributions made by Broward County students in our Jr. Photojournalism Program.

Layla Davidson, 13

is about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The joy of the Resurrection is remembering that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised by God. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him. I also love how my dad and mom remind me of God’s love for us and all the people Jesus Christ died on the cross for too.

Last week, I had a chance to volunteer some time for my big cousin Ashley Eubanks’s nonprofit organization, The Beauty Initiative Inc. She Brielle Henry, 10 provided several families money to do their laundry and gave them free supplies like detergent, softener, bleach and dryer sheets.

(Photo of me in action, taken by my mom Arri Henry)

DUAL ENROLLMENT

TESTING

Easter

Community Laundry Day

The beginning of last week I took a major test to determine the outcome of my future. I took a test called the PERT test which determines when I start taking college classes. The first time I took it was the week before winter break and I didn’t do too well, so I studied up until the beginning of last week and I took the test. The test wasn’t that hard, but the length of it was the real challenge. After 3 hours I finished and I went to my test Leja Williams, 14 administrator who gave me my scores.

She said I passed and I was so overly excited. I got all my paper work for dual enrollment and a couple days after the test I applied at Broward College for dual enrollment classes.

I n t e r e s t e d i n b e c o m i n g a J r. P h o t o j o u r n a l i s t ? E - m a i l b r h s r @ t h e w e s t s i d e g a z e t t e . c o m

Zeta Chi Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Celebrates 65 years

By Brother Frank Gaines The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization of men of like attainment and ideals dedicated to service and uplift in the Black community.

Founded in 1911 on the campus of Howard University with the Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift , the organization today has over 750 chapters worldwide.

The local chapter, Zeta Chi, was founded April 26, 1954, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and celebrates its 65th anniversary on Friday. Located at 1108 Sistrunk

Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL, in the heart of the Sistrunk Corridor, the brothers of Omega Psi Phi are dedicated to serving the Fort Lauderdale community.

The organization’s service to the community includes programs to assist everyone from the youth to the elderly. It includes initiatives to uplift the community, voter empowerment and education to name a few. Recent projects include partnerships with the NAACP to restore voter rights, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center to host a community block party for Black History Month, and Broward

County to revitalize and landscape homes for the elderly.

One of the Zeta Chi Chapter’s current foci is the restoration of voter rights for citizens who have had engagement with the criminal justice system. In the upcoming months the chapter is collaborating with the NAACP, the Broward County Clerk of the Courts, the Public Defenders Office and others to empower citizens to take advantage of their fundamental right to vote. Happy 65th Anniversary to the Zeta Chi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

In Black and White: Key Findings of American’s View on Race in 2019 New research has revealed that 78 percent of African Americans believe the country has not gone far enough on the issue of making sure Blacks have equal rights with whites

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia New research has revealed that 78 percent of African Americans believe the country has not gone far enough on the issue

of making sure Blacks have equal rights with whites.

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

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

A lower number of whites, 58 percent agreed.

And among Hispanics and Asians, the numbers Continued online at: thewestsidegazette.com

South Broward Juneteenth Festival: Highlighting a Forgotten Holiday Over 500 people will gather at Washington Park Community Center, 5199 Pembroke Rd., Hollywood Fla., for the second held Juneteenth South Broward Festival on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is a family and community free event and is open to the public.

Juneteenth is an historic celebration among African Americans that honors the announcement of the end of Slavery. On June 19th, 1865 news finally reached Galveston, Texas that African Americans were no longer tied to enslavement which was made official through the emancipation proclamation that was passed more than two years prior on January 1, 1863.

Although the news reached people at different times in the South, folks came to a collective decision to recognize June 19th as a national holiday.

It is no mistake that the second held Juneteenth Festival will take place at the Washington Park Community Center in Hollywood, where the first African American voting place was held in a neighbor’s yard, Mrs. Idabel Hill on Mayo Street. “I could not think of a better place to celebrate the Right to Vote in Broward,” says Georgette, Hollywood Activist and founding committee member of the festival.

This local event will kick off with a lively parade being led by Junkanoo

Dancers and Stilt walkers which starts at Marry Saunders Park and will go to Washington Park Community Center.

After the parade there will gospel performances, artists, motivational speakers and a bounce house for the children. The goal of this event is to create historical awareness of this historic holiday, create a space for youth, connect organizations with

the community and to provide small business owners a great opportunity to market themselves.

The mission of the South Broward Juneteenth Celebration Committee is to actively preserve and promote the broad spectrum of African American heritage through educational and cultural activities that benefit the City of Hollywood and surrounding South Broward communities.

For additional questions and inquiries related to becoming a sponsor, vendor or volunteer for South Broward Juneteenth, visit Juneteenth.

Site.

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APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 3

Student gets face slammed

New Mount Olive Baptist Church Health & Wellness Ministry to host Mental Health Conference

from Front Page

The New Mount Olive Baptist Church Health & Wellness Ministry is hosting a Mental Health Conference: Minding our Health Business “Eradicating Stigmas and Breaking down Barriers,” on May 4, 2019, in observance of National Mental Health Awareness Month.

The purpose of the conference is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to stop the stigmas associated with it.

According to the Center for Disease Control, “Mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing”. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and

social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”

About 1 in 5 American adults and 1 in 5 children will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. New Mount Olive Baptist Church has a host of dynamic mental health professionals who will provide sessions on Anxiety/ Depression, Stress Management, Incarceration and Mental Health, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome,

Bullying and Depression in youth, Navigation of the ESE (Exceptional Student Education) System and Stigmas of Mental Health in the Black Community.

The conference will be held at New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 400 N.W. Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 33311 on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 7:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Please meet Dr. Gina Morgan- Smith, Dr. Edwina Bell and the entire New Mount Olive Baptist Church Health & Wellness Ministry Team, as they present this dynamically essential conference to our community.

Please call (954) 463-5126 or email info@mountolive.org for information on how your organization can be a part of The Mental Health Conference: Minding our Health Business, “Eradicating Stigmas and Breaking down Barriers”. Sponsorships are available and the entire community is invited.

New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor, is a non-profit organization and a foundational pillar of Fort Lauderdale, Worshipping God, Serving Humanity and Embracing Our Community for 100 years.

Broward County Congressional Delegation’s Statement on the Unacceptable Use of Force by Sheriff’s Office Deputies Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) released the following joint statement on the conduct of two Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputies last Thursday in Tamarac, FL: “We are outraged by the appearance of unprofessional conduct of the two Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputies last Thursday in Tamarac. Rather than deescalating the situation,

the deputies appear to have dramatically overreacted with a disproportionate use of force – pepper-spraying a non-violent student, tackling and forcing his neck to the ground, and repeatedly striking his head on the pavement.

“At a time when unarmed black children are being beaten and killed at an alarming rate by law enforcement in this country, we appreciate that Sheriff Gregory Tony is conducting a thorough investigation, but we also urge him to be fully

transparent and to take appropriate action to reassess the Office’s crisis response training and techniques, so that this type of incident does not occur in our community in the future.”

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as ViceChairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.

in the face, slammed to the ground then the deputy sits on his back smashes his face into the asphalt repeatedly and then punches the student in the back and side of his head is unacceptable behavior and it will not be tolerated. “Abusive conduct of this sort is unacceptable.

“It may take some time but we will be transparent, and if folks need to be held accountable, it shall be done,” Sheriff Tony said in a video statement released last Friday afternoon.

The statement came soon after some Broward County leaders demanded that the Sheriff’s Office take immediate corrective action against deputies. One of the deputies involved can be clearly seen inflicting bodily harm to the student as he is on the ground. Christopher Krickovich, has been placed on restricted duty awaiting the investigation. The other deputy is Sgt. Greg LaCerra, whose status is not certain at this time.

Westside Gazette Publisher, Bobby R. Henry, Sr. says, “A crime has been committed and we can see that. Now judgment is due. We understand due process and we also understand what it means to be subjected to police brutality and come out on the losing end. It is obvious that the excessive behavior shown by this deputy was unwarranted. Now we wait and watch to see what the outcome of a just system looks like or the endless negative actions of our law enforcement that says its ok to brutalize people of color, especially Black people.”

COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION! 7 Things Everyone MUST Demand RIGHT NOW! Follow Brian C. Johnson on FACEBOOK for insight on how to demand #JusticeforLucca

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PAGE 4 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

EVENTS Fundraiser

Scholar Ship Fundraiser Dillard High School Class of “67” Saturday, April 26 Yard Sale at Alvin Lewis House, 4701 N.W. 16 St., Lauderhill, Fla. For more info call (954) 5993976.

Meeting Florida Democrats talk 2020: Chairwoman Terri Rizzo speaks truth at NBDC meeting to how the party will and can do better, Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m., at Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 N.E. Sixth St., Pompano Beach, Fla. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more info call (954) 6837789.

Event

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan, City of Miami Gardens Councilman Reggie Leon and the Sunshine Jazz Organization presents Music In The Park, Friday, May 3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Rolling Oaks Park, 18701 N.W. 17 Ave., Miami Gardens, Fla. Fore more info call (305) 474-3011.

Celebration

Events

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN BROWARD - MIAMI-DADE AND PALM BEACH COUNITIES Conference

Friends of the 2650 Sistruk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info call (954) 3576282.

- Monopoly, Wednesday, April 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

- National Pretzel Day, Friday, April 26 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

-Money Smart at Broward County Librarym Wednesday, May 1 from 4 to 5 p.m.

- Friday, May 3 - #DestinationFridays -Haiti. For adults 21 and up. Fridays.Broward. org - Matter of Blance (8) weeks: May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Reggae Reel: Moments in Music now thru Saturday, May 4.

- Comic & Sci-Fi Convention Saturday, May 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.

-Teen Poetry Workshop, Thursday, April 18 from 3 to 4 p.m.

- Living My Best Life in 2019: Free Wellness Workshops for Seniors/Caregivers, NOW through June from 10:30 a.m.

1 p.m., pre-registraion is required at (954) 357-6282 or online at at Eventbrite.

- Save the Date: 2019 Book South Florida Book Festival - Book Life 8th Annual, Friday, July 19 & Saturday, July 20

Event

Mayor Wayne Messam & The Haitian American Chamber of Commerce presents Ayiti Celebrates, Sunday, May 5 door open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., at 2400 Civic Center Plaza, Miramar, Fla. For tickets and additional info call (954) 602-4500.

Deeply Rooted

Broward County Black Chamber of Commerce in Partnership with Broward County Public Schools presents Get Listed Expanding Opportunities in Government & Beyond, Wednesday, May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m., at City of Lauderdale Lakes Muliti-Purpose Room 4340 N.W. 36 St., Lauderdale,Lakes, Fla.

Broward County Florida 2019 Broward & Beyond Business Conference, Friday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Signature Grand, 6900 Davie, Fla.

Seminar Quit Your Way - Quitting tobacco isn’t easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

Free 5 Week Tobacco Cessation Seminar at Broward Regional Health Planning Council, 200 Oakwood Lane Suite 200, Hollywood, Fla. - Group meets from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Every Mondays for 6 weeks (April 29, May 6, 20).

To register or for more info contact Nova Southeastern University AHSC Tobacco Cessation Program at (954) 262-1580.

Your Poem is a Screenplay at Bailey Contemporay Arts

Interested in filmmaking? The Pompano Beach Cultural Division’s next session of its film series, Montage, is Thursday, April 25, at 7 pm. These monthly events provide a platform for emerging filmmakers to engage a local following.

Montage will feature curated film screenings, industry networking events, workshops, artist talks and panel discussions. The film series will take place on the last Thursday of each month and will rotate among the City’s cultural venues.

Tickets for all events are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

Richard “Byrd” Wilson, Thursday, April 25, at Bailey Contemporary Arts Well-known poet, writer and

teacher Richard “Byrd” Wilson introduces “Your Poem is a Screenplay.” In this workshop, Byrd will lead attendees through the process of seeing their poems as a part of a bigger process. He will navigate them through various screenplay writing techniques, tricks of the trade and the confidence to see their poems turned into something big screen worthy!

After the workshop Byrd will perform and engage in audience led discussions about the feelings, thoughts and the implications that his poetry evokes.

Tickets for this session at www. baileyarts.org - Bailey Contemporary Arts is located at 41 NE 1st St., Pompano Beach, Fla. For more info (954) 786-7879.

Event The City of Miami Gardens Parks & Recreation presents Youth Baseball (boys and girls ages 5-8, now thru Sunday, June 9, at Scott Park, 17710 N.W. 15 Ct., Miami, Fla., and Carol City Park, 3201 N.W. 185 St., Miami Gardens, Fla., and AJ King, 4230 N.W. 178 St., Miami Gardens, Fla. Register at Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 N.W. 199 St., Miami Gardens, Fla. For more info contact (305) 622-8080.

Events Broward County Library eNews Events Director’s Book Club: May/ June Title: The Library Book

by Susan Orlean.

- Monday, May 6 at 1 p.m., at African-American Research Libary and Cultural Center - Monday, May 20 at 1 p.m., at Main Libary.

- Tuesday, May 28 at 1 p.m., at Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library.

• 10 Days of Connection @ Stirling Road Library will be held between May 1 and May 10.

• The Art of the Book: Celebrating the 25 Anniversary of the Bienes Book donation exhibit through May 29 at Main Library.

• Dream It, Write It - Create eBooks with BiblioBoard: Write, Publish, Share and win!

The 2019 Indie Author Project Contest, a competition from BiblioBoard and Library Journal that recognizes adult and young adult indie-published fiction book, is now open!

Submission will be accepted through Friday, May 31.

• Read, Write and Self Publish eBooks for Free. The contest is open from now thru May 31.

• 14th Annual Children’s BookFest - Summer at the Library Kickoff, Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at North Regional/Broward College Library, 1100 Coconut

Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Fla. • South Florida Book Festival, Friday and Saturday, July 19 & 20 at African-American Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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What’s Happening in Dania Beach

* Dania After Dark, a monthly street festival in Broward’s First City! Free admisson, all ages, pet friendly. Second Saturday of each month from 5 to 20 p.m., at SW First Ave., between first St. and Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach, Fla. (Free parking garage on SW Third Ave., (just N or SW First St.) For more info call (954) 785-7475. * Free Hands-Only CPR Class, Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., at PJ Meli Park. * Art In The Hall, Second Saturday every month in City Hall from 5 to 8:30 p.m. * Dania Beach PATCH Peoples Access To Community Horticulture Mobile Farmer’s Market LA Lee YMCA, Wednesday, May 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m,, at 408 N.W. 14 Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 50 off Florida Produce with SNAP/EBT. * Propsoed Air Traffic Improvement FAA Workshops: The Sessions will be from 6 to 9 p.m., at these locations: - Wednesday, April 24 at Signature Grand, 6900 State Rd., 84, Davie, Fla. -Thursday, April 25 at David Posnack JCC, 5850 S. Pine Island, Rd., Davie, Fla. * 2019 Summer Camp Program at Frost Park June 10 Aug. 9. For more info call (954) 924-3690. * Register NOW, DB Dolphins Dania Beach Youth Football & Cheerleading for ages 5-14. For more info call (954) 924-3838. * Now Hiring. How to apply for a position: The City of Dania Beach encourages online application. daniabeachfl.gov/ jobs

Let’s brunch for a purpose. Enjoy delicious food & old school music while we raise funds for women on their cancer journey.

Janice Hayes will be the MC & Dr. Rosalind Osgood will be the speaker. The theme is One Sisterhood: We Shine Brighter Together. Two Sisters Connection Mother’s Day Brunch, Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 10:30am until 1:30pm at Deicke Auditorium, 5701 Cypress Road, Plantation, FL 33317.

Call more details and cost (954) 881-8375.

Events Venetian Art Society Art Salon, NSU Florida, Nova Southeasten University, NSU Art Museum, eci Pharmaceuticals, John Know Village and Pompano Beach Cultural Center presents Grace Bumbry... Black Venus! Legendary African-American... and Civil Rights Trailblazer.

- A Conversation with GraceBumbry (Interview/Discussion/Q&A), Monday, May 6 at 1 p.m., at VAS Cultural Arts Enrichment Series at Dillard High School, 2501 N.W. Panthers Lane, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - Tribute to Grace Bunbry Legendary,Tuesday, May 7 from 6 to 9 p.m., at NSU Museum, One E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -A Conversation with Grace Bumbry (Interview/Discussion/Q&A), Wednesday, April 8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fla. RSVP limited complimentary seating.For cost and additioal info email Willie@VenetianArtsSociety.org.

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Black Women’s Health Imperative Announces Strategic Partnership

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

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

communities, according to a news release.

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

The organization identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation’s 22 million Black women and girls and invests in the best of the best strategies and organizations Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

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

Umpqua Bank Man Killed at Maryland Apartment rejects $2 million from Black owner Building Tried to Get Protective Order

By Meagan Fitzgerald and Gina Cook seeking to pay off Against Neighbor A young man with a promising future was mortgage -- but gunned down in his Maryland apartment complex. takes offer from Those close to the victim say there were potentially missed warning signs involving the suspected white male buyer killer.

Anne Kihagi

Tyrique Hudson, 22, grew up in North Carolina and was hired to work as an engineer at a company in Maryland after graduating from college early, a family friend told News4 by phone.

“Tyrique was the most amazing young man that I have ever met,” family friend Candice WinsteadHolden said.

Hudson lived in an apartment in Glen Burnie and was leaving for work Monday morning when police say his neighbor, 53-year-old James Verombeck, Tyrique Hudson, 22 (Published Thursday, April 18, 2019) shot and killed Hudson near the stairwell.

Nationwide (BlackNews. com) -- After more than 10 years of reliable mortgage payments, Anne Kihagi, an African American landlord in San Francisco, says she is under attack by Umpqua Bank for allegedly missing a property tax payment and failing to promptly provide annual financial information.

Any commercial lender would laugh from Front Page at this assault, as most borrowers turn in financials much later than responsible parties must be held and a K9 unit arrived and searched was hurting him. the deadline (two months after the area for drugs that the officer Additionally, Julien-Riou accountable.” year’s end) - which makes sense recently retired from the Miami VA Coincidentally, Williams is a claimed he threw to the ground. considering most small business Alonzo Kelly Park is one small Healthcare System as a Registered Veteran, Minister and Registered owners file taxes late.

Nurse. square, with just a few benches Nurse.

But when did a slight (if turned inward so while Llanes had He even offered to show the Williams says she’s determined warranted) delay in paperwork Julien-Riou under surveillance, he officer his ID, his camera, which to seek the truth surrounding immediately lead to the demand could noticeably see there was no by the way, was still rolling and the arrest of her client no matter that your loan must be fully captured the entire episode where where that line falls. “Here, it falls criminal activity transpiring. paid off? This kind of dramatic

Furthermore, there’s no Julien-Riou’s civil rights were squarely on the side of Julien-Riou,” trajectory is incredibly atypical, said Williams. “Llanes violated playground equipment, therefore, violated. hence why these types of issues the police had an unobstructed view Consequently, Julien-Riou was Riou’s civil rights and charged him are called “Optional Default.” Only of the entire park and subsequently charged with resisting arrest – with resisting arrest. Riou had a bank with an ulterior motive but after retaining the services of never been arrested in his 63-years nothing was found. would use this strategy - which is Incidentally, Julien-Riou lives Attorney Rawsi Williams, ESQ., of life.” exactly the case with Umpqua.

R.N., the Prosecutor officially A complaint has been filed two doors down from the park.

After months of going back and with Internal Affairs of the City of When the Sergeant arrived, he dropped the charge. forth - and even refusing to provide ordered that the handcuffs be taken “Llanes gave an unlawful order, Miami Police Department. a payoff demand that Ms. Kihagi off of Julien-Riou, but later he was and without cause brutalized, As of press time the Westside needed in order to pay the bank re-handcuffed because the officers battered, falsely arrested and Gazette has not received a she lost lenders who got tired of said they didn’t feel comfortable falsely imprisoned Julien-Riou comment from the City of Miami playing Umpqua’s time games. despite his compliance with the Police Department concerning with the cuffs being off.

Each time Ms. Kihagi refused Julien-Riou pleaded with officer’s order,” said Attorney Oscar Julien-Riou. to play by their distorted rules, Llanes, telling him that he was a Williams. “Officer Llanes, the City she says that Umpqua Bank would retired Army Captain, and that he of Miami, and all other officers and turn the screw again.

Finally, Ms. Kihagi says she received a payoff demand on March 14, 2019, disclosing A MESSAGE FR OM OUR P U BL IS H E R continued from Front Page the amounts due and that she had to call Umpqua for We may believe that some tests are more rights of all or should I say enforcing the law of an updated balance. When they learned she had lined crucial than others and may outweigh the civil rights for others. up another lender and that this time she was closing, value of each other; however, the answer bears As Nelson Mandela said, “For to be free is the Bank stopped returning her emails and went the brunt of the weight. not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in completely dark.

Situations that we are presented with a way that respects and enhances the freedom This forced Ms. Kihagi to pay the demanded amount from the disingenuous actions of the person of others.” plus daily interest. The funds - close to $2 million that sits in the White House as the President We understand that for some people who were wired on April 5, 2019. Three days later, Umpqua of the United States has demonstrated his believe that because they were the ones who awkwardness in treating his office with put us in chains, that we would somehow returned the money as rejected, stating they had been the respect and the dignity it deserves in inadvertently treat them the way they treated shorted a small amount and that they would not accept representing the citizens of the United States us. payment unless Ms. Kihagi signed the extorting deal of America.

Understanding that freedom comes with she rejected.

That’s on a national level. a cost, I do believe that some of us are not As if this torture were not enough, less than a week We are confronted on a local level across willing to pay the price. Therefore, we hide in after that payment, Umpqua asked the Court to allow this country with the misrepresentation by the obscurity of “is us free boss”. authorities to those considered to be lesser We are truly free, but we have been trained a new owner - a white gentleman - to buy Ms. Kihagi’s of the citizens of this country based upon not to recognize it and to live in the fear that building out from under her. Umpqua Bank had refused entrance, financial status, sexual preference a self-imposed slavery has created from a to accept Ms. Kihagi’s money, was hoping to sell it and skin color. “master” standpoint. at $1.5mm below the true value - and yes - the San It just so happens to be, “though it Freedom means we are free to fight for our Francisco judges were allowing all this to proceed. appears” that poor, black and brown people rights, and it does not matter who we have She says Umpqua Bank has rebuked and refused are subjective to this harsh disrespect and the to fight. Just because we have the same color her repeatedly when she has tried to hold her own, and denial of dignity they deserve as humans. skin, it doesn’t mean that you are my kin and This action of mistreatment is compounded because you’re not my color doesn’t mean that now they are magically offering a payoff demand to a when it is done at the hands of law enforcement you are my enemy. new buyer and asking a court to force Ms. Kihagi to sell personnel.

Standing up for what’s right is a freedom to her building? Any of this sounding fishy?

In the news lately, there have been several die for.

This is not the first time Ms. Kihagi has faced incidents where the police have overstepped Are you willing to pay the price? I do know contemptuous discrimination in her work, and certainly their boundaries, inflicting excruciating pain Someone who did, and He died for all of us, the not the first time she’s been wronged or the victim and in some cases even death in situations just as well as the unjust. of prejudice in court. And much like the preceding that are questionable.

“Dear God in the name of Jesus, please What will it take for the actions of a few to help me to know, live and believe that when incidents, Umpqua Bank’s unfounded vengeance should be stopped?

You set me free I am free indeed and no man also not stand: How many innocent people must be can stop that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

But Ms. Kihagi still has a real fear that the courts will maimed, crippled or even killed before once again fall into foul play. We as citizens and active GOD IS F.R.E.E. something is done? members of the economy (and the law that guides it) FAITHFUL RIGHTOUS ETERNAL Not too much has changed over the last must be educated and attempt to learn the law and EVERLASTING 50 years as it pertains to recognizing the civil stand-up when necessary.

Retired Army Captain brutalized by City of Miami Police Officer

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 5

BSO’s Sheriff Tony from Front Page Other children stood by, recording the incident with their mobile phones.

The videos show Deputy Christopher Krickovich pepper spray a teenager, then slam the child to the ground where two more deputies dive on his back and punch the young man repeatedly in the head before pounding his face into the pavement and pinning it down.

According to a written statement in the arrest report, the deputy states he was surrounded by a large crowd of teenagers at the McDonald’s.

“I had to act quickly, fearing I would get stuck or having a student potentially grab weapons off of my belt or vest,” he wrote. However, video footage shows Krickovich pushing a female bystander and stepping on what looks to be a cell phone. Next, he roams through the crowd, then exchanges words with the 15-year-old male before issuing a blast pepper spray in the student’s face.

The video of the one-sided beatdown has gone viral, garnering attention from national news outlets such as ABC Nightly News. On social media, celebrities from D.L. Hughley to LeBron James posted their thoughts about the incident and the repeated use of force by officers when it comes to African Americans.

Appointed to the position in January, by newly-elected Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, Tony becomes the county’s first Black sheriff. Tony understands his appointment has many black leaders looking skeptical and approaching with reserve. He had planned to take advantage of Saturday’s get together to highlight some of the actions he’s already taken. He was also hoping his quick response to some of their requests, specifically, increasing the number of African Americans within the department’s rank-and-file, would go a long way in proving his intent at being an honest broker.

Tony started the meeting by announcing Deputy Krickovich had been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Although the meeting floor was open to discussion on any topic, most of the questions centered around the incident and BSO’s, or more specifically, Tony’s response.

“Anytime a white deputy is involved in contact, using force with a Black youth, this thing blows up,” Tony told the group. “There has been a large cry of, ‘Just go out and fire him.

Get rid of him.’ And all these other things. Folks, it doesn’t work that way.

You all understand that. There has to be an investigative process and due process elements so it’s going to be done the right way.”

Many County leaders, including Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen, have stated publicly that the deputy who slammed the teen’s head on the ground should be fired. Tony promises transparency but has asked for more time.

“I’m not going to sit here and try to brush anything under the table,” Tony said. “The facts are what they are. I just need them in a formal, written documentation that shows we have done our due diligence.”

Sources tell the Westside Gazette that the aggressive tactics used by Krickovich and his fellow officers are new self-defense techniques that the sheriff is pushing, and the officers are doing what they have been instructed to do. Additional sources also cite one of the officers involved has a history of harassing and arresting black youth without cause. Sheriff Tony has not yet commented on these allegations, but you can rest assure the Westside Gazette will be there front and center to give you the details.

Deeply Rooted

PAGE 6 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-AD’s, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers thay may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this newspaper.

1971-2019

The Gantt Report

The Only Word After Reading Mueller’s Report Is

The Lying King NEWSPAPER STAFF Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

PUBLISHER

Pamela D. Henry

SENIOR EDITOR Carma Henry

COMMUNITY NEWS EDITOR Sonia Henry-Robinson

COMPTROLLER Elizabeth D. Henry

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASST. Arri Henry

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Eric Sears

IT SPECIALIST Ron Lyons

PHOTOGRAPHER Levi Henry: PUBLISHER (Emeritus) Yvonne Henry: EDITOR (Emeritus)

www.thewestsidegazette.com Broward County’s Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Serving Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties 545 N.W. 7th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5304 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 OFFICE: (954) 525-1489 FAX: (954) 525-1861 E-MAIL ADDRESSES: MAIN

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brhsr@thewestsidegazette.com PROUD MEMBER OF THE: NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER’S ASSOCIATION (NNPA) AND FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF BLACK OWNED MEDIA

By Lucius Gantt The Lion King story follows the adventures of the young lion Simba, the heir of his father, King Mufasa . Simba’s wicked uncle, Scar, plots to usurp Mufasa’s throne by luring father and son into a stampede of wildebeests. But Simba escapes, and only Mufasa is killed. In the happy ending, Simba returns as an adult to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends.

Today, we have a distortion of the classic tale called, “The Lying King”. It is about a President of the United States who loves to deceive, demean, disparage, delude, divide and disrupt the world’s greatest so-called democracy by being the most dishonest President in American History!

The modern story talks about a President that appears to be compromised by the Kremlin, puppetized by Vladimir Putin and controlled by nationalists, supremacists and card carrying closet klansmen!

The recently released report by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller clearly and expressly states that Donald Trump probably obstructed justice by seeking to derail investigations into election interfering by Russia and misconduct by members of the Donald Trump administration.

Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

The Mueller Report and the Question of US foreign policy

Subscription rates: $40 annually or 50¢ per copy.

Credo- The Black Press believes that American can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES

We welcome letters from the public. Letters must be signed with a clearly legible name along with a complete address and phone number. No unsigned letters will be considered for publication. The Westside Gazette reserves the right to edit letters.

Letters should be 500 words or less.

Impeachment

By Roger Caldwell

The Mueller report is finally out, and there are numerous links between the Trump campaign and people connected to the Russian government. After the special’s 23-month investigation which produced 2,300 subpoenas and 500 search warrants, that led to indictments against 34 people, Trump is calling the report, “President Harassment.”

The Trump campaign and his administration have been an international criminal enterprise that lies and has no respect for the rule of law. With the release of the Mueller report, all Americans must ask the questions in their heart, “Do we believe the president has committed impeachable offenses, and are we proud of his behavior as the President of The United States?”

When a candidate is running for the office of president, and he lies about his business deals and political meeting with its Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

Classroom Culture Clashes

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the former president of TransAfrica Forum

By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Newswire Contributor If there had been any question about Russian interference in the 2016 election, that is now a settled matter in light of the Mueller Report. Whether that interference had a demonstrable impact on the election results will be debated for years to come, but Robert Mueller’s committee established, early in the report, sufficient evidence of the scale and scope of interference that further debate about “whether” is pointless.

Yet, what has been interesting throughout this entire period of discussion of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections has been the hypocrisy of most so-called mainstream Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

Who gains when Democracy is Destroyed?

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Newswire Contributor

The Westside Gazette newspaper is published weekly by Bi-Ads, Inc./dba

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Democracy is defined as the government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Who are the people who support our contemporary status quo?

And how, in marginalizing the will of the people, is democracy destroyed?

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

Congresswoman

Omar and the

“Pseudotyping” of the State of Israel

By Oscar H. Blayton Donald Trump is trying his best to demonize Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota’s 5th congressional district by unfairly castigating her for public remarks she has made in recent weeks. Her remarks, while not directed against Jews, have been characterized by Trump as “antiSemitic.”

Trump’s baseless accusations are also sinister because they negate the fact that Congresswoman Omar, like most people of color in this nation, knows that Jewish Americans and African Americans alike have suffered from the bigotry and racism that is in the cultural DNA of this country.

And she also knows that the history of America is replete with acts of valor by Jewish heroes as well as African American heroes sacrificing themselves to secure human dignity and justice for all Americans.

The tweeting disaster that lives in the White House fans the flames Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

Are Blacks Close to Receiving Reparations?

Understanding the Importance of H.R. 40: Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act The call for reparations represents a commitment to enter a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism Continue reading online at: www. thewestsidegazette.com

The Mueller Report— Guilty!

By Mel Gurtov

My moniker for this president is Desperate Donald. Now the Mueller reportshows the moniker is a good one: It tells us that Trump went bonkers, fearing Mueller’s appointment spelled “the end of my presidency.” In June 2017 Trump told the White House counsel, Don McGahn, to fire Mueller.

McGahn refused. Other attempts by Trump to get subordinates to undermine Mueller’s work also failed, the report shows. Publicly, Trump sought to debunk the Russia investigation on an almost daily basis; 1,100 times, to be exact (according to the New York Times, February 19, 2019). All those efforts clarify that the president was running scared, no doubt afraid that his indebtedness to Moscow and Moscow’s expectations of him would be exposed.

Mueller’s investigation was unable to prove corrupt intent on the part of Trump or any of his campaign aides— neither sufficient evidence of a conspiracy with Russia nor obstruction of justice Continue reading online at: www. thewestsidegazette.com

It doesn’t matter how Strong your Opinions are. If you don’t use your POWER for POSITIVE Change, you are indeed Part of the Problem.

-- Coretta Scott King

When Cultures Clash in the Classroom, Who Suffers?

When they are continually designated at “below basic” on standardized tests and their culture not understood by teachers and test makers, their behaviors are almost self-fulfilling prophesies. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Barbara D. Parks-Lee, Ph.D., CF, NBCT (ret.), NNPA ESSA Awareness Campaign When cultures clash in the classroom, students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the community at large all suffer.

Education, or lack, thereof, can have a ripple effect on every facet of society. Not only are communities of color affected but also areas not considered “minority.” PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is an equal possibility.

Children whose culture and realities are devalued are often, as Gloria Ladson Billings so aptly expressed, “considered as deficient white children.” (1999) The children she described may become drop-outs, push-outs, or disaffected trouble makers. These disaffected students often feel disrespected, misunderstood, and devoid of hope. Some of them are testweary and content lacking.

Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

Nipsey’s life: A hussle that

motivates, resonates around the globe

“I want my music to be an inspiration of individual growth in the economic sector. That is the path I took as I grew up and I want to put it in music. My life is different from when I first came out as a teenager with expressions from the teenage perspective of young men in the streets. Now, as I grew older and became successful in music and business, my perspective changed accordingly. And so, my art evolved with it.” — Nipsey Hussle

By Bryan 18X Crawford, Contributing Writer, The Final Call @MrCraw4D The life, death and legacy of Nipsey Hussle not only deeply touched those who live in his Crenshaw community and the Greater Los Angeles area, but people across the country and around the world were mourning the 33-year-old man whose work in the streets and the suites was inspirational, and rooted in a commitment to build and help his people make progress.

Ermias Joseph Asghedom was seemingly born to be a bridge that connected people to worlds that seemed distant and, in some cases, carried warning signs that read, “Do Not Cross.”

The distance might have been as far away as the Horn of Africa or as close as blocks that surrounded the house where he grew up.

Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 7

BUSINESS UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Fred Lovell, Lic. Opt. "Over 30 Years In Optics"

FRUIT, FRUIT & FRUIT “LET’S KEEP IT REAL AND WHAT YOU DON’T SEE ASK FORD” CALL (954) 557-1203

PAGE 8 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 9

School Resource Officers • We have been helping to secure our schools and keep kids safe for decades.

THE SAFE & SECURE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY & PROSPER

DID YOU KNOW?

The Miramar Police department provides a variety of services to our community: Community Resource Officers Vacation Patrol Services Our Officers will check on your residence or business while you are away on vacation.

C.P.T.E.D. Surveys: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design We provide recommendations on how to reduce crimes like burglaries and robberies at your place of business or residence.

Citizens’ Police Academy • We provide citizens an opportunity to experience split second decisions that officers have to face on a daily basis.

• CPR Certification • K9 Demonstrations • Self-Defense Class & More

• Educational programs available for students. We mentor and teach kids about bullying, goal setting and character traits.

• Officers are assigned to every public and charter school in the City.

CALL 1-877-WHY-MIRAMAR (949-6472) OR VISIT MIRAMARPD.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION! IT’S ALL RIGHT HERE IN

MIRAMAR...

IT’S WHERE YOU SHOULD BE TOO.

PAGE 8 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

Family That Together, Together AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether

Church Directory This Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net

Deeply Rooted New Mount Olive Baptist Church 400 N.W. 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33311 (954) 463-5126 ● Fax: (954) 525-9454 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday .................................................... 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................ 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Noonday Service .................................. 12:00-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ............................................ 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

Leadership, Ownership and Worship F.L.O.W. To Greatness!

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” Rev. Cal Hopkins (M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher 644-646 NW 13th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net ( Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)

The WITNESS of “The WILL” Sunday Worship Experiences ................................................................ 7:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Night Triumph {Prayer, Praise and Power} Prayer Meeting ................................................................................................................ 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study ........................................................................................................................ 7:30 p.m.

We STRIVE to PROVIDE Ministries that matter TODAY to Whole Body of Christ, not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”!

“Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR! Come to the WILL ... We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ!”

Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church 2251 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 P.O. BOX 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 733-3285 * Fax: (954) 733-9231 Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net

Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR

WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday School ........................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m.

Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m.

"Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"

Rev. Danny L. McKenzie, Sr. Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday .............................................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday School .................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Night Bible Study .............................................................. 7:00 p.m.

Fifth Sunday ..................................................................................... 10:00 a.m.

"Reaching Our World One Person At A Time"

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmbc1161.com

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday School ............................................................................................................... 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service ............................................................................................. 10:15 a.m.

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ........................................................................... 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .......................................................................... 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study .................................................................................. 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Christian Growth & Orientation .................................. 8:30 a.m.

But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

SERVICES

Sunday Worship ................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ........................................... 11a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Living Waters Christian Fellowship Meeting at Central Charter School Building #5 4515 N. St. Rd. 7 (US 441) Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319 (954) 295-6894

SUNDAY SERVICE: 10 a.m.

Rev. Anthony & Virginia Burrell

lwcf2019@gmail.com (Church) llerrub13@gmail.com (Pastor)

“Jesus said, let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)

New Birth Baptist Church The Cathedral of Faith International Bishop Victor T. Curry, M.Min., D.Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 2300 N.W. 135th Street Miami, Florida 33167

ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.

1-800-254-NBBC * (305) 685-3700 (o) *(305) 685-0705 (f) www.newbirthbaptistmiami.org

Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church 522 N.W. Ninth Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Church: (954) 462-1413 or (954) 647-8254 Email: AMEZ522@yahoo.com

Rev. Dr. William Calvin Haralson, Pastor SERVICES

Sunday School .................................................................................. 10:15 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship ............................................................ 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study (Wednesday) ............................................................... 7:30 p.m.

"Reaching beyond the four walls touching lives, touching communities".

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church Reverend Henry E. Green, Jr., Pastor 401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Email infor@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Worship Service ..................................................................... 7:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Fifth Sunday ONLY .................................................................................... 10 a.m.

Church School ........................................................................................ 9:15 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday ....................................................................... 10 a.m.

Gems & Jewels Ministry Senior Wednesday Wednesday (Bible Study) .................................................... 12 Noon & 7 - 8 p.m.

Daily Prayer Line ...................................................................................... 6 a.m.

(712)432-1500 Access Code296233#

HAVE YOUR CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENT PLACED IN OUR CHURCH DIRECTORY CALL (954) 525-1489

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home BROWN Funeral services for the late Deacon Ivory L. Brown, Sr – 88 were held April 20 at True Pentecostal Church with Rev. Virga Kemp officiating Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

MANIEDEO Funeral services for the late Nand Kumari Maniedo 67 were held April 20 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel.

OLIVER Funeral services for the late Carleece Felton Oliver – 81 were held April 20 at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Calvin R. Hart, Sr officiating.

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

McWhite's Funeral Home ALLEN Funeral services for the late Herald Morrison Allen 67 were held April 20 at New Life Fellowship Center with Rev. Junnette Johnson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desire Of your HEART

Spiritually Speaking Faith is Not Religion Never Was Never Has

By James A. Washington is a father, husband, Christian, writer, entrepreneur and the owner/publisher of the Dallas Weekly.

A minister friend of mine once told me that a person can have theology but no faith. He told me this because at one time I was considering going to school to study the bible. My friend, recognizing that I was a rookie trying to crack the starting lineup for Christ, suggested maybe a different course of action would be better for me and I now know he was correct.

You see most of my life I could intellectualize myself out of or into any situation. Therefore, as you can imagine, my brain was easily corrupted by Satan so much so that I never really accepted Christ into my life, although I considered myself a good and decent person.

That was the point according to my minister friend. Many people can quote scripture and are experts in what the bible says, but clearly, they have little to no faith. So instead of surrounding yourself with academicians, surround yourself with people who are believers first.

I have since found his words prophetic, because one of my blind spots dealing with faith was the hypocritical nature of scripture quoting Christians, who obviously demonstrated Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

BLACK Funeral services for the late Mackel Black – 58 were held April 20 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

CALLAWAY Funeral services for the late Matilda Payne Callaway- 87 were held April 20 at National Church Of God, Inc with Rev. Bennie Calloway, Jr. officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

CHANCE Funeral services for the late Fannie Mary Chance - 84 were held April 20 at Spiritual Israel Church and It’s Army with Elder David Torrence officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery Central.

FRAZIER Funeral services for the late Jennifer “Pumpkin” Frazier – 49 were held April 20 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dwight Lee Evans, Sr. officiating.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz

Funeral Home

PAYNE Funeral services for the late Stanley L. Payne – 71 were held April 18 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Dr. James B. Darling officiating. Interment: Lauderdale Memorial Park.

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 11

By Dr. Mary (Photo Credit Maysphotovideo) Getting together and feeling alright was just what attendees did on Saturday, April 20 at Kaya Fest.

Just approaching Bayfront Park in downtown Miami set the stage for the day. The sun was scorching hot, there were fluffy white clouds in the blue sky, sounds of reggae music blaring out into the streets, the smell of kaya in the air, and a sense of exotic festivity in the atmosphere.

Kaya Fest, a Music and Awareness Festival which honors Bob Marley’s legacy: his sons Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, KyMani Marley and Julian Marley, all participate in this historic event.

Usually scheduled around April 20 ,which is Stephen Marley’s birthday, is a day dually celebrated.

Adding extra excitement to the event, the Marleys shared the stage with an astounding roster of Reggae, Soca, Latin, and American artist. This year’s line-up included: Koffee, Third World, Kes the Band, Protoje, Sean Paul & Chi Ching Ching, Davido, Busta Rhymes, Farruko and Pitbull.

Newly added this year, ‘Constance Bubble’ led by Stephen Marley’s daughter Shacia Pain, a DJ, offered a second stage. This stage included several female DJ’s one of whom was our very own She-J Hercules from 99 JAMZ. The sounds of Constance Bubble offersed an authentic dancehall experience with the flair of LA.” Located at the back of the park, dancers took center stage, showing their smooth dancehall moves enjoying themselves, oblivious to onlookers.

The “Education before Recreation” resounded throughout the day exposing attendees to the multi-purpose of the cannabis plant from medical marijuana to

BUSTA RHYMES industrial hemp and the legalities.

There were individuals who petitioned passersby to sign their petition for legalizing marijuana in Florida.

The food and clothing vendors were in no short supply. Ben and Jerry’s gave free ice cream samples highlighting Bob Marley ‘One Love’ flavor.

For a big event of this size, the show appeared to stay on time throughout the day.

The Marley brothers took center stage about 9:15 p.m., starting with Natural Mystic, one of their father’s songs. They had their signature Lion of Juda flag flown by someone on the stage. Big screen in the background showing various shots and images added an exhilarating flair. With a full band, three background vocalist who were dressed in white pants suits had great stage presence.

Each of the brothers was working the stage singing a line or a verse

MARLEY BROTHERS

ZIGGY MARLEY of each song; it was epic! Beverly conveyed “I couldn’t get enough of the reggae music.”

However, Marvin shared “the Marleys to me didn’t perform how

SEAN PAUL they normally do. There weren’t any sets, but I enjoyed myself.”

The show is coming back from taking a break last year from Miami and all 15 to 20 thousand audience

PITBULL members appeared to have been eagerly awaiting this year’s event.

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Professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Launches

“Conversation Peace,” His First-Ever Tour of HBCUs

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Discusses the Legacy of Black-Jewish Relations

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CHICAGO -- Dr. Michael Eric Dyson this week kicked-off “Conversation Peace,” his first-ever tour of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Dr. Dyson, the noted academic, author, lecturer, minister and radio host, on Tuesday spoke at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Dr. Dyson is professor of sociology followed by Bethune-Cookman University in at Georgetown University and has Daytona Beach and Wayne County Community authored and/or edited more than 20 College District-Northwest Campus in Detroit bestselling books on subjects ranging as the third stop of the tour. Morehouse College from the late Malcolm X, the Rev. Dr. is the next appearance, on April 26th.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Marvin Gaye, “Conversation Peace” is designed to illumi- Bill Cosby, the music, meaning and nate the historical and current relationship legacies of Tupac Shakur and Nas, and between African Americans and Jews and even the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. spur spirited discussion and dialogue among student guests. The “Conversation Peace” HBCU tour is a presentation of the Philos Project, a national organization part of whose vision and objective is to reach young people—notably future black thought-leaders—to build

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Lorraine Toussaint:

(954) 602-4990

Veteran Actress Talks ‘The Village’ and Brooklyn

HAITIAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION thu, may 2 7pM - 11pm

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Lorraine Toussaint (right) and Frankie Faison star in NBC’s “Brooklyn.” Toussaint is proud to bring this type of relationship to television – one with older Black people loving each other and their neighbors unconditionally. Playing Patricia gives her an opportunity to show the complexity of Black women. (Photo: NBC)

Lorraine Toussaint has plans.

The SAG award-winner and NAACP Image award nominee that has an acting career that spans more than thirty years, is starring as Patricia on NBC’s mid-season replacement “The Village,” a show about a motley crew of residents living in a building in Brooklyn with interconnected lives.

Filling the time slot of NBC’s mega hit “This Is Us,” “The Village” features an ensemble cast made up of a “who’s who” of television stars (Dominic Chianese,

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 12 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

Deeply Rooted

High drama, twists and turns possible as Andrew Gillum’s ethics hearing starts Wednesday Former Mayor Andrew Gillum’s hearing on state ethics charges starts Wednesday.

Appearances by an FBI agent and another key witness remain in question.

So much is known already about Andrew Gillum’s out-oftown excursions with a lobbyist pal and undercover FBI agents, but high drama and twists and turns are still possible as his final hearing begins this week on ethics charges involving his alleged acceptance of a free “Hamilton” ticket and other gifts.

Both the Florida Commission on Ethics’ prosecutor and Gillum’s lawyer want a shadowy FBI agent who posed as developer Mike Miller and supposedly arranged for the Broadway tickets to testify. But it’s unclear whether the agent, whose identity is unknown, will show up. If he does, he’ll testify behind closed doors and perhaps in disguise.

The prosecution’s star witness, Gillum’s one-time close friend and lobbyist Adam Corey, is another big question mark. Elizabeth Miller, the Ethics Commission’s advocate, signaled in recent court filings that she reasonably expects him to testify. But Gillum’s lawyer, Barry Richard of Tallahassee, said Corey has evaded efforts to locate him and isn’t expected to appear.

Interested in this topic?

You may also want to view these photo galleries: Gillum, who last year won an upset in the Democratic primary for governor only to lose the general election to Republican Ron DeSantis, will take the stand himself. The former Tallahassee mayor will testify he never accepted gifts from

Andrew Gillum and lobbyist/friend Adam Corey during a New York harbor boat ride with undercover FBI agents and his brother Marcus. (Photos subpoenaed by the state ethics commission.)

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3 p.m.

-- Hampton Park 7800 Hampton Blvd North Lauderdale, Fla., 33068. Join his family at Hampton Park this Saturday from 3-5 pm for a peaceful protest. Wear red bring a poster and remember NO JUSTICE NO PEACE. Bring your friends and family and share the flyer. Thank you. On April 18, 2019, in Tamarac, Fla, two officers employed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office used excessive force on Delucca, a teen who wasn’t physically threatening them. In the video, Delucca bent down to pick up a cell phone and one of the officers pushed his head.

Lucca asked the officer why he pushed his head and the officer pepper sprayed him then threw him to the ground. Once he was on the ground, another officer straddled his back, bashed his face into the concrete twice, and punched him in his head. Further, during the brutal attack, Lucca placed his arm under his face to protect it from further injury and now they’re charging him with resisting a police officer. Since the force utilized by the Officers against Delucca was excessive, unreasonable, and in violation of Federal and State laws, as well as accepted police practices within the United States, the officers should be fired and charged with battery.

Monday, April 29, 2019 at 7 p.m. -3970 N.W. 21 Ave, Oakland Park, Fla., 33309 (Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale). Join BLM Broward’s meeting to discuss how we can stay safe in the wake of the recent police violence incidents occurring against us and how we will take immediate ACTION.

Barry Richard, attorney for former Mayor Andrew Gillum, speaks to the press after the Florida Commission on Ethics held a probable cause hearing into a complaint against Gillum Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 at the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee.

(Photo: Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat) anyone outside family, let The hearing, a trialalone illegal ones during like proceeding before trips in 2016 to Costa Rica Administrative Law Judge and New York City, Richard Continue reading online at: said. thewestsidegazette.com

Friday, May 10th, 2019 at 3 p.m.

-- Florida Highway Patrol Station, 1011 N.W. 111th Ave, Miami, Fla. The family of a woman who died after being shot by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper wants the Department of Justice to take over the case and conduct a full investigation into her death. Cellphone video shows the moments 32-year-old Latasha Walton was shot by FHP trooper Ronald Melendez Bonilla last Tuesday near the Golden Glades interchange. “What this officer has done has broken me, her two children, my entire family,” sister Allison Wright said in a news conference Tuesday. “They are so empty. They are so lost.” The family has hired civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who said he wrote to U.S. Attorney General William Barr in hopes of getting the DOJ to investigate.

Missing Black Girls from Front Page Street North. By Sunday afternoon, the police department posted an update with good news: Dejah had been found and is safe.

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

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

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

“But, there’s still too many missing and too many have been missing for too long.”

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

More than 424,066 girls of all races have gone missing since the beginning of 2018, according to NCMEC. More than half of that total are women and girls of color, according to BAM, which, like NCMEC, rely on statistics from the FBI. Many said the media hasn’t done enough to shine the spotlight on the crisis of the missing – particularly Black girls.

“The majority of these children most likely come from marginalized communities, and are primarily low-income people of color,” said Dr.

Ronnie A. Dunn, an interim chief diversity and inclusion officer and associate professor of urban studies at Cleveland State University.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police said Carolyn was driving her 2019, red Toyota Corolla with Maryland temporary Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

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Deeply Rooted

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 13

‘One Size Fits All’ Does Not Fit Florida Voters

By Perry Busby When I was a youngster, shopping for clothes was always a stressful event. I was big for my age, at least that’s the term my mother, and a few other kindhearted grownups, used to describe my physique. However, the kids at school weren’t quite so nuanced in their assessment.

According to them, I was fat.

Physical descriptions aside, trips to the department store created a dilemma for me and my parents. On one hand the clothes designed for my age group were too small, and the clothes I could wear weren’t always age appropriate. Montgomery Wards seized on the opportunity — evidently, my parents and I weren’t the only ones with this problem — and created a Big Boys department for us hard to fit, rotund little fellas.

Looking back on those times it’s easy to draw a correlation as why many eligible voters don’t participate in U.S. elections. You see, voting, particularly the process by which we cast a ballot, is more about uniformity than variety. Consider the fact that after a campaign season of being inundated with news and videos espousing the differences between each candidate’s ideology and their unique leadership qualities, voters are then presented with a process that offers very few options to express their voice.

There is more than a hint of irony in this, don’t you think?

No matter which county you live in — whether it’s a densely populated area like Broward or Miami-Dade, or a sparsely populated county like Liberty or Lafayette, casting a ballot in Florida is pretty much the same, give or take a few cosmetic differences here and there. The same can be said for many other states whose legislatures and state election administrators are resisting to adopt pro-voter policies.

The failure to expand voting opportunities, especially in burgeoning areas with diverse demographics, is seen as one of the key contributors to our current polarized state of governance. It is also a cause of the growing distrust in our election process.

Since 2000, voter participation in the U.S. consistently ranges between 54% and 64% during presidential elections, while midterm elections have routinely seen smaller turnouts between 41% and 48%. For a better example of this lack luster participation, you need not look any further than the 2016 presidential election, where close to 92 million registered voters failed to cast a ballot, and the 2014 midterm elections where a whopping 142 million registered voters did not participate, making it the lowest election turnout in 72 years. However, signs point to a slightly upward shift as the 2018 midterm election is projected to have the highest voter turnout in

history, with approximately 116 million ballots cast, or 49.3% registered voter participation.

As the old saying goes, all politics are local. However, a closer look at home reveals even more disturbing results. Local elections, particularly those held in odd years, are experiencing least voter participation. Turnout in these elections, including those in major metropolis, average only 15% voter participation. To state it more clearly, 85% of all U.S. cities are governed by leadership that is determined by a little more than a tenth of the residents, most of which are 50 years and older.

For our system of government to thrive and provide equitable representation, all eligible Americans must have an opportunity to vote in a process that is fair, accessible and secure. Federal and state election administrators can, and should, build an election system that has pro-voter policies and practices that will drive participation by all eligible voters.

This begins with eliminating barriers to voter registration and voting and implementing reforms that ensure all ballots cast will be secured and counted. Among the list of initiatives are: • Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). AVR would create a shift in the voter registration paradigm from one of voters choosing to opt-in, to one that requires them to opt-out.

According to the Center for American Progress, if every state implemented AVR it would result in approximately 22 million voters added nationwide within the first year.

• Same-Day Voter Registration (SDVR). SDR, which should also include registration on election day, is a viable alternative for states unwilling to implement automatic voter registration. Analysis show states that have implemented SDR policies, consistently have the highest participation in the country. Election analysts estimate that if all states without SDVR had passed and implemented the policy, there could have been approximately 4.8 million more voters in the 2016 elections.

• No-excuse absentee voting. Enabling voters to request an absentee ballot without requiring an excuse appears to be a viable option for voters who are highly mobile (i.e. truckers, airline attendants) or work non-traditional hours.

Projections show that no-excuse absentee voting could potentially increase voter participation by about 3% over time.

• Strengthen civics education in schools and in communities. Eligible citizens are much less likely to engage in elections or government if they do not understand them.

A 2016 survey found that only 26% of Americans could name all three branches of government, a decline from past years.

Lack of understanding—including that of institutional checks and balances and mechanisms for holding government accountable—contributes, at least in part, to rising distrust in government and elected bodies. According to a 2017 survey

by The Pew Charitable Trusts, only 20% of Americans trust the government to do what is right always or most of the time. Public distrust and alienation lead to a vicious cycle of bad government representation. If people do not trust democratic institutions or understand political processes, they will not show up to the polls—a place where they could contribute to removing bad actors from office and electing responsive representatives.

These pro-voter policies are mutually dependent and reinforcing. For example, the effectiveness of more convenient voting options—including early voting and noexcuse absentee voting—depends on eligible voters being registered. The additional convenience of early voting is worthless to a potential voter who finds that he or she isn’t registered, and therefore unqualified to vote. At the same time, the benefits of modernizing registration cannot be fully realized if voters do not have ample opportunities to exercise their civic duty. Moreover, these policies often complement each other. Whereas early voting on its own has been shown to increase participation by about two percent-four percent, early voting combined with same-day voter registration has increased voter participation by as much as 10% in some counties.

Our state is continually growing and becoming more diverse. Nationally, we are often seen as a battleground or swing state. Armed with these facts, concerned Florida residents must begin to advocate for pro-voter policies that are more suitable to these changes while ensuring the goal of counting every vote is achieved

Black Millennial Political Convention Political Convention, a nonpartisan and nonprofit convening of millennials of African descent from across the country and the diaspora to advance racial equity, increase Black political power, and expand civic engagement.

A regional convention was held earlier this year in Tennessee.

The national convention, which

takes place from May 30 to June 2 in Washington, D.C., will operate along three primary guiding principles: Pipeline-Planting seeds: Creating succession plans to identify, develop and propel transformational leaders (local, regional, statewide, and national).

Policy-Institute policies: Addressing the needs and concerns of the African

American Community.

Power to the People - Elevating Our Power: Leveraging our intersectionality for social impact to empower community, activate advocacy and create systemic change.

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E-EPIDEMIC: VAPING AND YOUTH What You Need to Know

Youth vaping has skyrocketed. In 2018, 1 in 4 Florida high school students reported current use of electronic vaping—a 58% increase compared to 2017.

E-cigarette vapor is not harmless. It typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and even cancercausing chemicals. It’s not water, as many youth believe.

E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can affect brain development for youth and young adults by disrupting growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning and susceptibility to addiction.

The most popular e-cigarette brand among young people is JUUL, which comes in a variety of flavors and delivers high levels of nicotine.

JUUL and similar devices are also easy to conceal; in fact, widespread use by students in schools has been reported.

The Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida is your trusted resource for accurate information on the youth vaping epidemic. You can help by educating yourself, dispelling myths among your friends and family, and talking to your kids about the serious concerns around vaping and nicotine addiction.

Learn more at tobaccofreeflorida.com/eepidemic.

PAGE 14 • APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019

Deeply Rooted

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#MeToo founder Tarana Burke visits FAMU on HBCU Tour Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, visits Florida A&M University (FAMU) on Friday, April 19, as part of a campaign to “end sexual violence and rape culture on campus.”

The #Me Too HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Tour stop will include a full day of events that organizers say are geared toward students, faculty, and administrators who want to learn how they can help stop sexual violence on college campuses.

“Our goal is to reframe and expand the global conversation around sexual violence to speak to the needs of a broader spectrum of survivors,” said Burke, who will be accompanied

by Yaba Blay, a fellow activist in the fight to dismantle racism and end sexual violence.

“Young Black people across the diaspora- along spectrums of class, gender, sexuality, and ability- rely on and invest in HBCUs not to just facilitate an education, but to keep them safe while doing so,” Burke continued. “We’re holding academic institutions accountable and harnessing our collective power to create strategies for sustained systemic change.”

The #MeToo movement was founded in 2006 to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly Black women and girls, and other young women of color from disadvantaged communities, find pathways to healing.

Organizers of the tour say college campuses are often the first line of defense in the work to create safe and accountable communities for their students and faculty, and as such, have been instrumental in the growth of the #Me Too movement.

Statistically, HBCUs have not been able to move the work forward compared to predominantly white institutions (PWIs), tour organizers said. Through the day of activities, Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS

Howard U’s President Dropped a Statement about walking dDogs on The Yard; Here’s How It Reads in My Head

Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/ engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing.

April 4, 11, 18, 25, 2019

Washington, DC, is during a culture war between the new residents who want to mold the city into their own version of VanillaTown and the folks who didn’t ask for any of this shit but now must defend their ways of life. Yes, we’re talking gentrification.

From new residents of Chinatown trying to stop the kids from playing music near the Gallery Place Metro, DC’s current mayor (who is black), Muriel Bowser ignorantly trying to erase quintessential DC culture, the #DontMuteDC movement near Howard University’s campus to the recent issue ON Howard’s campus where residents have taken to using Howard’s Yard as a dog park, with one resident even suggesting that if Howard doesn’t like it, the university should move. Read that again.

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VOL. 46 NO. 29

APRIL 25, 2019 25

NUMEROLOGY - DOG

HOROSCOPE/NNPA APRIL 25 - MaY 1 2019

16

45

71

15

30

14 2

5

15 32

8

MIAMI RED SEZ --- 271

APRIL

25

102

FEB. MAR. APRIL

HOT LEAD NUMBER LEO-Compromise to get what you want this week. You’ll

6

want to meet others half-way, and in the long run, you’ll get what you want anyway. You can afford to be gracious and giving. Does it with all your heart and soul? My emotions provide me a pathway into the sunshine of my being. 6, 17, 43

MAY

954

LIBRA-Personal goals are important to you this week, and you’ll want to budget some time to spend on formulating plans for your brilliant future. Something that happens without your knowledge is going to prove to be Pick 2 a huge benefit. Enjoy your lucky streak! My life itself is my 02/ greatest creation. 7, 40, 43

26 27 28 29

13

JULY

33 34 35 36 37 38

101

AUG

39 44 45 46 47 48 49 55

SEPT.

56 57 58 59 66 67 68 69 77 78

OCT.

79 88 89 99 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

NOV.

09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 23 24

DEC.

JUNE

CAPRICORN

VIRGO-Money matters may seem a little unstable this week; postpone a shopping trip. On the plus side, however, your friends are unusually supportive and wonderful.

You’ll enjoy conversations and being with another, especially after dark! I enjoy working with others this week.

19, 30, 50

19-32-4

AQUARIUS

56-23-71

PISCES

45-32-16

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

43-23-47

28-38-48

56-43-17

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

34-25-31

09-43-18

21-39-43

25-15-47

10-41-62

12-25-

48

19

33

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88

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SCORPIO-Your straight-up attitude is going to come POWERBALL in handy this week. Plain talk is favored; keep it simple so others will understand where you’re coming from. You’ll 03-27-30-63-65 1 get a lot done if you stick to a plan this week. I forgive, MICHELLE OBAMA forget and keep on moving towards my good fortune.

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SAGITTARIUS-This is a good week to think about long-term plans. Your mind is clear and your vision of things to come will be lighted by your razor-sharp instincts. All week long be careful not to sound too sarcastic when you tell people stuff that you know, and they don’t. I keep my eyes open for the love that is everywhere. 17, 18, 20

52

42

31

46

PROFILES

TAURUS-A message this week may necessitate travel on your part, and you may feel obligated to do something you don’t want to. Let the energy flow past you and do what you think is best. Who you are is who you are—be glad about it! People love me when I love them. 9, 22, 41

CANCER-This week make your spiritual interest pay off in cash. Enough of goodness for goodness sake. You’ve got bills to pay. People expect generosity from a big-hearted person like you. Ask them for something in return or they’ll drain you. I call on my creative talents to pay my bills. 1, 3, 8

89

36

ARIES-At work, some matters have been on hold but now you will get the green light. Continue to work as diligently as you have been in the pass to ensure success.

Have faith that your plans are on target. Anticipation of a beautiful immediate future lights up my week. 18, 53, 54

GEMINI-Use better judgment about financial matters.

Stop rationalizing. Money is important. Do something about the fact that you might find yourself broke more often than you wish. Continuing to deny it will delay doing something about it. I find comfort in the familiar. 1, 22, 51

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CAPRICORN-The clever way you think could expose you to an experience for you unlike any you’ve had recently. Move forward. Get into it. Don’t doubt your ability to handle it. Don’t let your mind get crowded with too much useless information. Love is simpler than you think. I allow good feelings to flow into my life with ease.

6, 21, 34 AQUARIUS-If someone has told you that you are more mental than emotional, believe them. This week especially your mind will be working a mile a minute to make sure that what you feel is good for you to feel.

Cover the mental processes with an emotional facade but keep thinking about what is best. I give special attention to special friends. 3, 45, 51 PISCES-Usually you’re not much for gambling. You like to investigate and make sure before you make your move. This week you are lucky. Move on impulse. Follow your heart. Pay close attention to the love needs of your mate this week. The needs of children call. I can be whoever I am conscious of being. 12, 32, 53 NUMBERS (2-DAY RESULTS Send Self Addressed Envelope and $10:00 to: C.L.HENRY OR S.H. ROBINSON P.O.BOX 5304 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33310 For Entertainment purpose Only!

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Time to wake America up from its student debt

nightmare

By Charlene Crowell Higher education has always offered opportunities to learn and earn a better quality of life. But in the 21st Century, higher education has also become synonymous with ever deepening debt. More than 44 million consumers of varying ages and occupations struggle with $1.5 trillion in student debt.

The nation’s nagging racial wealth and income gaps translate into Black families borrowing more than others to finance college costs. If a combination of scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study jobs cannot meet the costs of an academic term, the only option remaining is for parents and other relatives take on debt too.

From 2006 to 2016, aggregate student loan balances nationwide rose 170 percent.

This debt burden worsened the nearly $1 trillion of lost wealth that Black and Latino families also bore due to the foreclosure crisis.

“During the recession the public sector stepped back its appropriations in higher education and cut aid in several areas,” noted Andrea Harris, a nationally-known policy expert, now serving as a Senior Fellow with Self-Help, one of the nation’s largest and most successful community development financial

institutions in the nation.

Today the average student loan balance among baccalaureate graduates is $34,000. For those who continue to graduate studies, their indebtedness often surpasses $100,000.

As high as these debts incurred by students are, additional loans taken out by parents and other relatives are often necessary. Some parents, grandparents or other relatives have also taken on student loan debts, trying to close the gaps that remained after students borrowed the maximum amounts allowed.

It’s a costly cycle that begins anew each academic year, often with higher interest rates that lead to higher and longer repayments. No parent should be forced to choose between their own financial stability and a college education for their children.

Yet the reality of the student loan crisis is that often multiple generations of the same family struggle with loan repayments. When these loans default, another dimension of financial stress begins.

Student loan defaults degrade credit scores, lowering them by as much as 50-90 points, according to the Urban Institute, a Washington, DCbased nonpartisan research group. As credit scores drop, the cost of any future credit goes up, making it even harder

Deeply Rooted for affected consumers to manage their personal finances.

With Congress and the Trump Administration both agreeing that the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act cannot be further delayed, multiple ideas have been offered on how to manage the deepening college debt crisis with no consensus yet to emerge.

Central to the public policy debate should be the future of the nation’s economy. Students need to acquire skills and knowledge that lead to stable careers and incomes that enable graduates to earn their way into the middle class.

For many education advocates, the current college federal aid system is simply unsustainable, nor is it in the best interest of the nation. Hence, it seems sensible to directly increase federal college aid that does not come with repayment.

For example, the formulabased Pell Grant award currently averages $4,251 per participating student. Next year as proposed by the Department of Education, the average award would shrink slightly to $4,149. As college costs increase, more grants, not fewer are needed.

A recent Wall Street Journal article delved into the particular effects of student debt on Black America. According to the article, “Tuitions have risen faster than a traditional funding source for low-income students – federal Pell grants. A weak post- crisis economic recovery meant lagging income for many low-income families, federal data show, leaving proportionately less to pay for education.”

Some might argue that incomes across the country are rising. Such beliefs are not completely true.

In 2017, the national median income stood at $61,372, after three Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 • PAGE 15

Philadelphia Barber Wants Answers After Police Told Him to Stop Providing Free Haircuts to Homeless Photo: Matt Rourke (AP Photo)

After making headlines for providing free haircuts for the homeless in his beloved Philadelphia, barber Brennon Jones is demanding answers on why his charitable efforts have now drawn the wrong type of attention.

In a video uploaded to Twitter by Muslim activist StanceGrounded, the Haircuts 4 Homeless founder is seen being accosted by police officers for ... cutting hair?

“Philadelphia Police tying to shut down a Black man giving free haircuts to the homeless,” StanceGrounded vented in his viral tweet. “THIS IS INFURIATING. THIS IS SO OUTRAGEOUS. Retweet!”

But in his quest for answers, Jones came up well short.

“A police officer approached me and told me I had to shut down immediately after receiving a call from a sergeant,” Jones told Yahoo Lifestyle. “I asked for the sergeant’s name and badge number and a legitimate excuse why. He didn’t give me any information of why I had to shut down - he just told me I had to.”

But after informing the officer that he had received permission to provide haircuts on the sidewalk to those in need, Jones refused to budge. Which, of course, didn’t stop the officer from placing some phone calls and seemingly arguing with Jones in the two-minute viral clip.

Something even the St. Louis-based Ethical Society of Police—a collection of Black police officers who address

racial discrimination within police departments—called bullshit on.

“Why do we continue to interfere where we don’t belong? This isn’t a police matter,” the organization tweeted.

“Furthermore, he’s doing something that brings our community together. Let the man help others.”

And while thousands of users took to social media to voice their frustration, with some even offering legal counsel, thankfully cooler heads prevailed—as Jones was permitted to continue his duty as a good Samaritan as long as he ensured that he was cleaning up the hair. Which he was more than likely doing already.

“I try not to let anything stop me from the mission and the mission is bigger than myself, and it’s all about those people who are forgotten, who are looked down on, who are talked about and mistreated,” Jones said. “Lives are literally changed, there’s a rebranding of humanity and it’s all cause [of] this initiative. So, I’m gonna keep going and I won’t let nothing get in the way of the goal and that’s to spread love.”

Thus far, the Philadelphia Police Department has yet to provide an official statement on the matter but did offer a tepid response on Twitter.

“We learned this happened on Wed 4/10 at Eighth & Market,” they tweeted. “The Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 16 • APRIL 25- MAY 1, 2019

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