The Westside Gazette

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Counting the victims of police violence

HOLDER

By Jazelle Hunt, NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA)—As Eric Holder ended his tenure as U.S. Attorney General, he said, “The troubling reality is that we lack the ability right now to comprehensively track the number of incidents of either uses of force directed at police officers, or uses of force by police,” he said, at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. “This strikes

many – including me – as unacceptable.”

As it stands, both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice compile information on police killings, as reported by police departments themselves. But there are challenges with the reliability with this data. By law, collecting and providing this information to the government is mandatory only for police agencies that receive certain federal funds; police killings

found to be unjustified are not included in the FBI’s measures; and reporting guidelines can vary from place to place, to name a few issues.

Over the past few years, citizens have attempted to step in where official entities would not, creating well-regarded crowdsourced online databases such as KilledbyPolice.net, FatalEncounters.org and the U.S. Police Shootings Database (launched by Web sports blog, Deadspin).

MappingPoliceViolence.org is the newest addition to this effort. Mapping Police Violence builds on this tally by merging and crosschecking those first two databases. It compiles a month-by-month death toll for 2013 and 2014; and by combing through media reports and other public data, the contributors have confirmed the race of every victim in 2014.

Samuel Sinyangwe, a 24year-old Ferguson protester and one of the project’s directors, said that this detail is missing for approximately 60 percent of the victims in the source databases.

Though the project highlights the disproportionate killing of Black people, it includes all reported deaths by date, location, race, age, gender, cause of death, and medical condition

(e.g. under the influence, mentally disabled, etc.). Additionally, users can compare police departments around the country by population, murder rate, and how “likely to threaten Black life” they are.

“When you compare white folks and Black folks who were killed by police, there are big differences. White folks tended to be more likely to have a mental illness, to be armed, to be older… or to be drunk or under the influence. So they were more likely to have some condition that made it more challenging for police to deal with them,” Sinyangwe says.

“However for Black folks, they were less likely to do all of these things, and then they were still more likely to be killed.

You can only do that analysis if you looked at all races and were able to compare and contrast.”

By Mapping Police Violence’s count, police killed at least 1,175 people in 2014. Of these victims, 302 were Black – a disproportionate rate of 26 percent – and 56 percent of these Black victims were unarmed. Most victims were shot, but other causes of death included Tasing, physical restraint, being hit by cars, and in one case in New York, falling from a window.

(Cont'd on Page 11)

Utah reinstates ‘humane’ death by firing squad capital punishment

By Nigel Boys While some lawmakers are discussing whether or not the death penalty should continue, especially after serious concerns with lethal injections, Utah has made sure that even if there is a shortage of drugs to use, they can still execute their condemned prisoners.

Lawmakers have just passed a bill reinstating the firing squad, which makes them the

only state allowing this method.

The last man whose life ended this way in the state was Ronnie Lee Gardner, who was executed by five police officers with .30caliber Winchester rifles in 2010.

Republican Representative Paul Ray, who sponsored the bill, claimed that not only was it a faster form of execution, but it was more humane than using chemicals which could cause distress for death row inmates, should the lethal injection go wrong.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

Record number of former workers without benefits

By Freddie Allen, NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – With no federal unemployment insurance and rapidly disappearing state coverage, the percentage of people benefiting from unemployment

insurance is at its lowest level in more than three decades, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank focused on low- and middle-income families.

(Cont'd on Page 5)

Pleading Our Own Cause

Lawmakers have just passed a bill reinstating the firing squad, which makes Utah the only state allowing this method.

Serving is a family matter: Miramar Commissioner Maxwell Chambers Maxwell Chambers was born in Johns Hall Clarendon, Jamaica and completed his training for custom cabinet making at Claude MacKay Technical College in James Hill Clarendon. He was raised by his mother Bertella Francis, and his grandparents Marcus and Gertrude Francis.

At age 18 he came to the United States and gained his citizenship. He later opened his custom cabinet making company and has been self-employed in this field for the last 25 years.

Maxwell is an active participant in the PTA and volunteers every morning at his youngest daughter’s school. He is a hardworking father of seven children; Maxwell Jr., Renae, Amanda, Zachary, Meia, Alyssa and Hailey and they live in the beautiful city of Miramar.

Maxwell’s business experience, political activism and his community service led to his

Fishing in the storm but…

And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:29 (NASB) Bobby R. Henry, Sr. The song Playing in the Rain has new meaning when it comes to life support.

I know a lot of people recognize fishing as a hobby and particularly relaxing and not necessarily a sustaining meal providing activity; let alone something that one would risk his/her life doing in extremely violent storms. I would beg to differ.

As I contemplate the significance of this article, I will try to correlate the pleasantries between life’s storms and the enjoyment of activities that HAVE to be done. Using metaphors to represent obligations and responsibilities as well as conditions and extenuating circumstances, I will attempt to illustrate my point.

There are times when we cannot postpone, suspend or delay for another moment our obligations, especially those that we have been called to do.

Compelled by a higher source to ‘get the job done’, we must prevail and maintain the course of action outlined for us by the Master-no matter the condition of the weather or the extended forecast.

(Cont'd on Page 5)

Shaun M. Davis, newly elected Urban League of Broward Board Chairman

By Charles Moseley Over the past 25 years, Shaun M. Davis has established himself as head of one of South Florida’s most reputable accounting firms, S. Davis & Associates, Inc. In addition, Davis has developed a reputation as having a strong commitment to community service. Most recently, Davis was elected to serve as Board Chair for the Urban League of Broward County (ULBC), furthering his legacy as a proponent for social and economic equality, in South Florida’s African American community.

Davis was elected by the ULBC’s Board of Directors. Before becoming the chair, he served as first vice chair for two years and second vice chair for two years, as well as the audit chair for a few years, so he is

very familiar with the organization’s operations.

(Cont'd on Page 3)

Pursuit of a dream: How engineer and businessman, Benjamin Montgomery, bought the plantation he was once enslaved on

CHAMBERS run for the Miramar City Commission Seat 1. He is very interested in continuing the forward progress in Miramar.

Maxwell is a life-long Democrat and believes in working across Party lines for the greater good of the residents of Miramar.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

Benjamin Montgomery was born into slavery in 1819 in Loudon County, Va. He was sold to Joseph E. Davis, a Mississippi planter. Davis was the older brother of Jefferson Davis, who would later serve as the President of the Confederate States of America. After a period of time, Davis could see great talent within Montgomery and assigned to him the responsibility of running his general store on the Davis Bend plantation. Montgomery, who by this time had learned to read and write (he was taught by the Davis children), excelled at running the store and served both white customers and slaves who could trade poultry and other items in return for dry goods.

(Cont'd on Page 3)

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Davis is no stranger to community involvement, having contributed his efforts in a variety of civic organizations.

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Page 2 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 19 - March 25, 2015

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PrEP Clinics: A new weapon in the fight against HIV No tool should be left unused in the fight against HIV. However, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a prevention method in which those who are not HIV positive take a daily dose of the pill Truvada to ward off infection, has not received the widespread attention that many HIV/AIDS advocates would like, and awareness of it in the Black community is alarmingly low.

But a number of agencies and organizations across the country are hoping to change that by opening PrEP clinics— specialized programs to help those at risk for HIV take advantage of all the options available to them.

Biomedical interventions such as PrEP can play a major role in helping to end the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. In fact, studies have shown that when PrEP is taken consistently, it can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 92 percent.

However, beginning a PrEP regimen requires a great deal of support and commitment. If the medication is not taken consistently, it is not as effective.

Those who take PrEP must commit to doing so every day and following up with a health-care provider every three months.

In May 2014 the U.S. Public Health Service unveiled the first set of clinical-practice guidelines for PrEP. They highlight the importance of counseling when people are taking PrEP, as well as of regular monitoring to make sure that PrEP is being taken consistently. Follow-up care is also needed to track one’s HIV status and any side effects that could arise from taking the medication.

PrEP clinics are providing a practical way to ensure that these guidelines are met.

Introducing the Black Community to PrEP While there is clearly a benefit to taking PrEP, many people at risk of HIV are unaware that it is even a viable option. According to a September 2014 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 55 percent of gay

In recent months, SmithBankhead has seen more interest from community members about PrEP. Thanks to the clinic, anyone who comes to AID Atlanta with an interest in PrEP will be educated about how it works and will learn the importance of taking the medication consistently. Many insurers will cover the cost of the medication. If an insurer refuses to pay, AID Atlanta will help the person file an appeal, Smith-Bankhead says. Those

who don’t have insurance may also qualify to receive the medication through Gilead’s patient-assistance programs. Once one of AID Atlanta’s clients’ starts taking PrEP, the organization will continue to offer support by connecting the patient to medical and prevention specialists for follow-up visits.

Ferguson under a Deep South mentality

pleas, sign and issue subpoenas and approve bond determinations.

So why is this important?

The municipal court has authority to issue and enforce judgments, issue search and arrest warrants and impose imprisonment for up to three months.

As the report states, it is “not a neutral arbiter of the law.” It uses its authority as a means to compel payment of fines and fees that advance the city’s financial interests.

The report points out that the municipal judge, court clerk, prosecuting attorney, all assistant court clerks, and 50 of 54 sworn police offices are white.

It is well known that the mayor, city manager, police chief and 5 of sic city council members are also white — this in a city that is 67 percent Black.

So why are these facts important? The report says that municipal court practices cause disproportionate harm to Black Americans who are: · 68 percent less likely than others to have their cases dismissed. · More likely to have their cases last longer and result in more required court encounters. · At least 50 percent more likely to have their cases lead to an arrest warrant. · Comprised 92 percent of cases in which an arrest warrant was issued by the municipal court in 2013.

and bisexual men knew nothing at all about PrEP. Another 25 percent knew only a little about it.

Such findings are particularly troublesome in the Black community because young Black MSMs account for the highest number of new HIV infections. That means PrEP clinics can play a crucial role in educating the Black community about PrEP. It’s one of the goals of AIDS service organization AID At-

By Clarence V. McKee Those who got caught up in the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” false narrative feeding frenzy surrounding the death of Michael Brown should read the Department of Justice report on the Ferguson, Mo. Police Department (FPD) — it’s not just the police!

It shows that Ferguson is really a 2015 version of a Deep South plantation. The question is, where have the NAACP, National Urban League, and state

lanta, which recently opened a PrEP clinic with funding from pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc. “We want to make sure that people with the highest risk of HIV have multiple options,” says Neena Smith-Bankhead, chief research officer for AID Atlanta’s Research, Education and Development Institute program.

“If you walk in and you want PrEP, we’re going to help you figure out how to get it.”

and local Black elected officials and community leaders been?

This did not happen overnight.

The report states: “The harms of Ferguson’s police and court practices are borne disproportionately by African Americans, and there is evidence that this is due in part to intentional discrimination on the basis of race.”

The report describes in detail Ferguson’s flawed incestuous government structure: Its municipal court operates as part of the police department

and is supervised by the chief of police.

Is physically located within the police station and its court staff reports to the chief of police.

A municipal judge, nominated by the city manager, who is appointed by the elected city council, is elected by that same council for a two year term; the current judge has presided for “approximately 10 years.”

The court clerk who, under the supervision of the police chief, has authority to collect all fines and fees, accept guilty

A Nationwide Call for PrEP Not only can PrEP clinics help prevent new HIV infections, but they can also provide other bene-

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Neena Smith-Bankhead, M.S., Chief Research Officer, R.E.D Institute, AID Atlanta, Inc. fits. For some people, a PrEP clinic might be their only regular contact with a medical professional. Follow-up visits with medical professionals can also identify other conditions such as other STDs and high blood pressure.

Late last year the AIDS United Public Policy Committee (AIDS United), a national coalition of community-based HIV/AIDS organizations, called for a nationwide scale-up in the use of PrEP. “We view PrEP as an important tool in meeting the goal of reducing rates of infection as outlined by the U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy,” said Ronald Johnson, vice president of policy and advocacy at AIDS United, in a statement.

“It’s time for PrEP to take its place among our other proven prevention methods. We’ll continue to work to increase access to PrEP in addition to all other comprehensive HIV prevention strategies.”

PrEP Watch, an education initiative of the New York-based AVAC (founded as the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition), maintains a list of PrEP clinics across the country. Hopefully it will continue to grow.

Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist who writes about health, wealth and personal growth.

March 19 - March 25, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

No civil rights charges for Wilson.

Systematic discrimination within Ferguson Police Department found. Petition Chief Jackson for reform NOW!

BROOKS Last week, it was all over the news: The Department of Justice (DOJ) will not file civil rights charges against Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown.

At the same time, the DOJ released a report detailing a pattern of discriminatory and racist practices within the Ferguson Police Department, and offered a series of recommendations for breaking down the department’s systematic discrimination.

Now, the Ferguson Police Department has a choice: take the DOJ’s recommendations, or ignore them and carry on with business as usual—including relying on extraneous arrests to generate revenue at the expense of the Black community.

We can’t let them carry on this way.

We have Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson’s email address. Let’s show him that we are united in our demand for serious reform to the disturbing practices of the Ferguson Police Department. Send him a message today.

The DOJ’s decision may represent the end of our legal struggle for Michael Brown, but it is by no means the end of our fight for justice. Not for Michael, not for Eric, not for any of our brothers and sisters who fear for, or lose, their lives at the hands of law enforcement.

We must continue our fight against racial profiling and police brutality year round, not just in times of tragedy.

Reforms in Ferguson can stand as an example for sweeping changes to the way police across the nation serve our communities.

Send Police Chief Jackson a message urging him to accept and enact the Department of Justice’s recommendations: http:// action.naacp.org/ContactPolice-Chief Thank you for making your voice heard.

Cornell William Brooks President and CEO, NAACP

Broward Education Foundation, Tools for Schools Broward and Orange Brook Elementary celebrate Yoobi donation of classroom supplies FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Recently, teachers on average spend between $400 and $600 of their own money on school supplies for their classrooms.

In an effort to help those teachers, the Broward Education Foundation Tools for Schools Broward with partner national school supply firm Yoobi recently presented boxes of colorful new supplies to kindergarten and first grade students at Orange Brook Elementary. It’s part of Yoobi’s donation to Tools for School Broward that includes 1,380 “Classroom Packs” filled with enough pencils, glue sticks, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, folders, glue bottles, pencil cases, crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors and Yoobi tickers for the entire classroom.

“Tools for Schools Broward provides more than $500,000 in free school supplies each year to teachers in Broward schools that qualify for federal assistance as Title I schools,” said Thomas Severino, president/ CEO of the Broward Education Foundation. “It’s fundamental that our students have what they need to succeed in the classroom. When we present the Yoobi supplies, the kids are excited and the teachers are so appreciative. It’s a win-win for everyone in the classroom.”

The brightly-colored Yoobi school supplies found at Target are displayed under the banner “one for me; one for you,” reflecting the company’s pledge to donate an item to a classroom

Shaun M. Davis, newly elected Urban League of Broward Board Chairman (Cont'd from FP) "His position has oversight to the Board of Directors and ensures the proper governance of organization policies, fiscal accountability of the organization’s finances, fundraising and executive evaluation and engagement. Davis' role is also to lead us in pursuit of our vision: We will be a catalyst for change in Broward County and one of the best human service organizations in the State of Florida,” said ULBC President Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh.

Davis’s unique value is that he’s an entrepreneur. He understands clearly the challenges of running a business that is solely dependent on the leadership’s ingenuity and hustle and is well connected not only in the business community but also in the civic community. Davis will also help the other board members connect their businesses with their civic engagement work, thereby expanding the reach of our organizations. At the Urban League of Broward County, we create a fair shot at success for thousands of people, and Davis is leading us in breaking the cycle of poverty through programs that impact the lives of more than 7,000 people every year,” added Dr. Baugh.

Davis serves as Managing Partner of S. Davis & Associates, P.A. (SD&A) and has over 25 years of experience in the public accounting industry. SD&A is a firm with national resources that provides a variety of financial and business services.

His passion resides in the firm’s philosophy to deliver the utmost quality and most responsive service possible to each and every client.

Davis began his career with Deloitte Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touché) as a Senior Accountant and has also worked with Ernst & Young as an Audit Manager. With a vision and drive to start his own accounting firm, he set out in 1991 to es-

tablish SD&A. His business prowess has allowed what was once a one-man accounting firm, to flourish into one of the largest minority-owned CPA firms in the Southeast United States.

He is no stranger to community involvement, having contributed his efforts in a variety of civic organizations including: Junior Achievement Worldwide, United Way of Broward County, Girl Scouts of Tropical South, Florida Kids in Distress, Volunteer Broward, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has three beautiful children with his wife of 26 years.

Their eldest son followed in their footsteps to also become a Certified Public Accountant.

During his free time, he enjoys basketball, racquetball, and traveling.

Davis recently granted the Westside Gazette an opportunity to share some insight on the ULBC’s new Board Chair as he discussed his career and personal views as a community leader in South Florida.

Westside Gazette (WG): I don’t believe you’re from South Florida. Share if you will a little about your background personally and professionally?

Shaun Davis (SD): I was born and raised in Mount Vernon, N.Y. I attended Florida State University and received my Bachelors’ degree in accounting in 1983. Upon graduation, I worked for Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Miami where I started as a staff accountant and left as an experienced senior auditor. I went on from there to Ernst & Young as an audit manager.

In 1991, I opened my own firm, Shaun M. Davis, CPA, as a sole proprietor. As the firm grew with more accountants and my wife joining as an additional CPA, I incorporated as S. Davis & Associates, P.A, in 1997.

WG: What led to your choice of a career in accounting?

SD: I always had a passion for numbers and math, and I was good in analytics, so when my father made the suggestion that I should go into the accounting field, I thought it would be a good fit.

WG: What has been your greatest challenge professionally from an entrepreneurial perspective?

SD: The greatest challenge, lately, is being able to find good, qualified, professionals who have similar goals, aspirations, and work ethics.

WG: What would you consider your proudest moment professionally?

SD: My proudest moments were when I obtained my CPA license and I was appointed to the Florida Board of Accountancy which regulates CPA’s in Florida, where I served as chair.

WG: Who have you admired or who has inspired you most throughout your life?

SD: My parents. They were raised with humble beginnings and worked at making a better life for my brother and me. They taught me the value of a good education coupled with hard work and were always encouraging and proud of my achievements, both, large and small.

WG: What are your keys to being successful in business?

SD: Hard work, tenacity, drive, and perseverance.

WG: As the new board chair of the Urban League of Broward County, under your leadership, what areas do you see the organization progressing regarding its impact on the local African American Community?

SD: Providing opportunities to AfricanAmerican businesses and providing jobs and housing to those that are in need: We need to get the word out about the fine job the Urban League is doing in our community and continue to build support.

Justin Wolff, chief giving officer of Yoobi, opens the school supplies boxes with students. in need for every item purchased. The Los Angeles-based company plans to donate products to more than 30,000 classrooms nationwide by the end of 2015.

Established in 1983, the nonprofit Broward Education Foundation (BEF) aligns with Broward County Public Schools

by providing support for innovative teaching to advance Pre K-12 achievement; critically needed educational materials for Title I school teachers and students, and scholarships for qualified high school seniors.

Each year, the Foundation contributes more than two million

dollars to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.

For more information, call (754)321-2030, visit www.browardedfoundation.org, like our Facebook page at f a c e b o o k . c o m / browardeducationfoundation or follow us on twitter @BEF1.

Substance use drops sharply in pregnant US women with HIV

By Mark Mascolini Proportions of pregnant HIV-positive US women who reported substance use or tested positive for substance use fell sharply from 1990 to 2012, according to analysis of two large prospective cohorts. Researchers believe the decline may reflect an epidemiologic shift in the US HIV epidemic.

Substance use poses a grave threat to the fetus of pregnant women and to the women themselves. Because drug injection is not an uncommon HIV transmission route in the United States, substance use may be more frequent among pregnant HIV-positive US women than women with HIV in other countries.

To track rates of substance use in pregnant US women with HIV from 1990 to 2012, researchers analyzed findings from two large prospective cohorts, the Women and Infants Transmission Study and Surveillance Monitoring for Antiretroviral Therapy Toxicities Study.

They classified a woman as a substance user if she selfreported use or had a positive sample.

Over the 23 years of study, substance use among 5451 pregnant women fell from a rate of 82% in 1990 to 23% in 2012.

Use of each recorded substance

during their next pregnancy (risk ratio 5.71, 95% confidence interval 4.63 to 7.05).

Among all women studied, substance use rates during

Pregnant

and LWHA fell significantly (P < 0.001) over pregnancy became similar to the study period. Declines of the rate in the general US popuindividual substances were ap- lation of pregnant women.

Thus the authors suggest proximately linear until 2006, that “the observed decrease may when the drop plateaued. be due to an epidemiological Multivariable statistical transition of the HIV epidemic analysis identified an inverse association between substance among women in the United use and taking antiretroviral States.”

Source: Kathryn Rough, therapy (ART)—meaning Katherine Tassiopoulos, Dewomen on ART were less likely to use substances during preg- borah Kacanek, Raymond Griner, Ram Yogev, Kenneth nancy.

The analysis included 824 C. Rich, George R. Seage. Drawomen with multiple pregnan- matic decline in substance use cies during the study period.

by HIV-infected pregnant woWomen who used a substance during a previous preg- men in the United States from nancy were almost six times 1990 to 2012. AIDS. 2015; 29: more likely to use a substance 117-123.

Pursuit of a dream: How engineer and businessman, Benjamin Montgomery, bought the plantation he was once enslaved on (Cont'd from FP) Impressed with his knowledge and abilities to run the store, Davis placed Montgomery in charge of overseeing the entirety of his purchasing and shipping operations on the plantation.

In addition to being able to read and write, Montgomery also learned a number of other difficult tasks, including land surveying, techniques for flood control and the drafting of architectural plans. He was also a skilled mechanic and a born inventor. At the time commerce often flowed through the rivers connecting counties and states.

With differences in the depths of water in different spots throughout the river, navigation could become difficult. If a steamboat were to run adrift, the merchandise would be delayed for days, if not weeks.

Montgomery decided to address the problem and created a propeller that could cut into the water at different angles, thus allowing the boat to navigate more easily though shallow water. Joseph Davis at-

tempted to patent the device but the patent was denied on June 10, 1858, on the basis that Ben, as a slave, was not a citizen of the United States, and thus could not apply for a patent in his name. Later, both Joseph and Jefferson Davis attempted to patent the device in their names but were denied because they were not the “true inventor.” Ironically, when Jefferson Davis later assumed the Presidency of the Confederacy, he signed into law the legislation that would allow a slaves to receive patent protection for their inventions. On June 28, 1864, Montgomery, no longer a slave, filed a patent application for his devise, but the patent office again rejected his application.

Upon the end of the Civil War, Joseph Davis sold his plantation as well as other properties to Montgomery, along with his son Isaiah. The sale was made based on a long-term loan in the amount of $300,000.

Benjamin and Isaiah decided to pursue a dream of using the property to establish a community of freed slaves, but natu-

ral disasters decimated their crops, leaving them unable to pay off the loan. The Davis Bend property reverted back to the Davis family and Benjamin died the following year.

Undeterred, Isaiah took up his father’s dream and later purchased 840 acres of land and along with a number of other former slaves, and founded the town of Mound Bayou, Mississippi in 1887.

Isaiah was named the town first mayor soon thereafter.

While Benjamin Montgomery’s story sounds sad in its telling, it served as a lesson to whites and Blacks in the Civil War period, demonstrating the power of education and the ability for Blacks to contribute to commerce and industry in the American south.

Found @Benjamin Montgomery | The Black Inventor Online Museum. - See more at: http://blackthen.com/pursuitof-a-dream-how-engineer-andbusinessman-benjaminmontgomery-bought-the-plantation-he-was-once-enslavedon/#sthash.rJJIc8En.dpuf

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 19 - March 25, 2015

Community Digest

Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Fundraising

Dillard High Comprehensive High School Class of 1970 presents Fish & Chicken Wing Fry Scholarship Fundraiser, Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at The Black Firefighter’s Hall, (Southeast corner of N.W. 17 Ave., and N.E. Sixth St.), 1621 N.W. Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Job Fair

The City of Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has teamed up with the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce to host a job fair, with a mixture of companies from a variety of industries that have jobs available, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 3 to 6 p.m., at E. Pat Larkins Community Center, 520 Hammondville Rd./Dr. MLK Jr., Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fla. Pre-register at (954) 786-7866 or dahlia.baker@copbfl.com for exclusive early entry into the Job Fair.

Walk

HIV/AIDS has been a part of our world for well over thirty years now, but the AIDS Crisis is far from over, especially in Florida. Your participation in events such as the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival has never been more vital to the cause than it is today. This year, the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival will take place on March 22nd at South Beach Park along the Fort Lauderdale Beach, at 8 a.m. On-Site Registration at 9 a.m. Welcome from Stage at 10 a.m. Walk Start. Location: South Beach Park on Fort Lauderdale Beach (just north of the B Ocean, formerly the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort). Registration deadline to have event access pass mailed to you: March 6; - Team Table/Sign registration deadline - 10 or more Walkers registered on your team: March 12. Last day to register online: March 21.

For more info contact Mark Martin at (954) 318-4337 or visit www.FloridaAIDSwalk.org to register.

ATTENTION RADIO LISTENERS

We have free gifts for everybody who calls into the show and shares their opinion. Listen every Saturday at 4 p.m. to Spiritual Downloads with Anna Stephenson on WWNN Radio AM 1470.

It’s a live Call in talk show that discusses everything from Spiritual Matters to what matters to you. The show can also be heard on the Internet at wwnnradio.com; just click on the listen live button. Your voice is the most important part of the show.

So call in and let us hear what you have to say. The toll free call in number is 1-888-565-1470. Also e-mail Anna Stephenson at annasmiami@aol.com with a subject you want to hear discussed on the show. The show also interviews special guests Like Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best. Shelia Raye Charles, Melba Moore and different preachers and gospel musical artists and politicians.

Fish Fry

Dillard High School Class of 1968 having annual scholarship fundraising, Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Northgate Neighborhood Park, 3555 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park. For more info contact Roma (Bebop) Roberts at (954) 854-4778 or Jake Walters at (754) 2447318. Donations are accepting.

Volunteers

Sistrunk Historical Festival Organization seek to fulfill it’s mission, we are seeking individuals to help make a deeper impact in our Broward County community. Our Executive Director has scheduled a Board/ Volunteers Retreat and we cordially invite you to attend our upcoming retreat, Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Walker Elementary School, 1001 N.W. Fourth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Should you find that you are able to attend, please R.S.V.P. by March 25, 2025 via email.

Health Fair

Seminars

The Fraud in Florida seminars are free and will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at these dates and locations: Tuesday, March 24 - Margate, 3175 N. St. Rd. 7 Wednesday, March 25 Davie, 2400 Davie Rd. Tuesday, March 31 - Pompano Beach, 1600 South Fed. Hwy. Please RSVP in advance to blaise.dacosta@bscu.org, or call 954-486-2728 ext. 5017. For more information, visit https:/ /www.bscu.org/seminars.

Event

Roosevelt Gardens Park, located within the Broward Municipal Services District, will join the countywide celebration of Florida Bicycle Month 2015 by hosting a Bike for Life neighborhood park bike rally, Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 3 to 6 p.m., at Roosevelt Gardens Park, 2841 N.W. 11 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For further info call the park at (954) 357-8700.

Repo Used Car Sale Community Health Fair, Saturday, March 28, 2105 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park, 3490 N.E. Third Ave., Oakland Park, Fla. Health screenings and information, free giveaways, food and beverages. Promoting healthy living today for a better tomorrow. Healthy You, Healthy Me, Healthy Us.

BrightStar Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in South Florida with more than 55,000 members, will hold a Repo and Used Car Sale, Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pompano Beach Elks Lodge, 700 N.E. 10 St., Pompano Beach, Fla. This event is free and open to the community. For additional info call (954) 486-2728 or visit www.bscu.org/autosale.

Conference Destiny Worship Center International, GMAC Men’s Conference, theme entitled “Judah Unleashed”, on Thursday, March 26-Sunday, March 29, 2015. On Saturday, March 28, at 4 p.m., there will be a dinner, donations are asked, at 1737 N.W. 38 Ave., Lauderhill, Fla. Speakers are Apostle Clive O’Brien from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Apostle Ulysses Ruff of Chicago, Ill. For more info call (954) 733-3211.

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. · On Display – Children’s Week: One Voice for Children Exhibit · Book Displays: Women’s History Month and Malcolm · Monday and Wednesday – Free IRS Income Tax Assistance at 6 p.m. · Friday, March 20 – Seniors Computer Class: Learn basic functions from 12 to 3 p.m. For more info call (954) 288-8702 (please bring a storage device (such as thumb drive) if you wish to save your work.

Youth Service – (945) 3576209 · Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Free Homework Help: After school help with homework for grades K-12 from 3 to 5 p.m. For more info call (954) 357-6157. · Saturday, March 21, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. 2000 documentary film The Invisible Soldiers: Unheard Voices will be screened. For more info call (954) 357-6210. · Tuesday, March 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Microsoft Excel I · Wednesday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m., - Wi and PS3 for Teens. · Tuesday, March 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Microsoft Excel II · Gallery through April 2015 is Color and Carnival an Art Exhibition featuring the multi-talented Alicia Teramo.

For more info (954) 357-6210 or visit broward,org/library.

Free Computer Classes schedule – Pre-registration is required to all classes. Call (954) 357-6239. Due to limited seating, registration begins 6 days prior to each scheduled class.

Pre-registered students are asked to arrive 15 minutes before class to work in.

For additional info for free classes being offered at other library locations call (945) 3576236.

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Deserves a Chance to Succeed.

Classes

Free SAT & ACT Prep at Regional Libraries program schedule 2015 All Sessions mandatory attendance · Session 1: SAT/ACT Grammar and Reading Techniques and Strategies · Session 2: SAT/ACT Grammar and Reading Practice · Session 3: SAT/ACT Math Techniques and Strategies · Session 4: SAT/ACT Math Practice and Science Techniques and Strategies · Session 5: SAT/ACT Science Practice and Essay Techniques and Strategies West Regional – (954) 7651560 · Tuesday, March 31, 2015- Session 1: from 5 to 7:30 p.m. · Tuesday, April 7 – Session 2: from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

West Regional Library (954) 357-7990 · Wednesday, April 1 Session 1: from 5 to 7:30 p.m · Wednesday, April 8 – Session 2: from 5 to 7:30 p.m. · Wednesday, April 15 – Session 4: from 5 to 7:30 p.m. · Tuesday, April 28 – Session 5: from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Celebration

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Zeta Rho Omega Chapter Celebrates 60 years of service and Salutes its 2015 Women of Distinction, Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 12 noon at the Marriott Harbor Beach, 3030 Holiday Dr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Celebrity Emcee Brois Kodjoe.

For cost and additional email www.zetarhoomega.org

United Way of Broward is looking for volunteers: We are looking for volunteers that can dedicate one hour per week, for 25 weeks to read to first grade students for the 2014-2015 school year -- No experience is necessary; just a love for children. Volunteers must complete and pass a background check.

ReadingPals takes place during school hours.ReadingPals runs from September 2014 to June 2015.

Through the ReadingPals initiative volunteers read with children at 14 public schools and 6 childcare centers throughout Broward County. For more information about volunteering, training dates and volunteer requirements for the ReadingPals initiative please contact Lola Jordan at (954) 453-3738.

TO HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS POSTED CALL -(954) 525-1489 OR FAX -(954) 525-1861 FOR MORE INFO

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

March 19 - March 25, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

Free Authors Networking Expo at AARLCC BROWARD COUNTY, FL – On Saturday, March 28, 2015 beginning at 2 P.M., there will be a free Authors Networking Expo at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

Author and event organizer Marlo Bromfield asks, “Do you have a burning desire to become a writer? Have you ever wondered ‘how do I get started’? Well wonder no more,” she says. “You are invited to come out and meet some dynamic authors at the Authors Net-working Expo who will share their experiences and knowledge on how to get started with writing!”

Here is the line-up of seven authors and one editor who are offering their skills to the community in this free event: Marlo Bromfield is the author of I’m Special. Her book reminds us how unique we all are, with the help of her main character Hannah and her animal friends in this heartwarming children’s story.

Angella Fleming, also known as “The Debt Busting Diva,” is the author of Stress

Free Debt Free. She shares her journey to a debt-free lifestyle.

Sharon Thomas is the author of Colors of the World, a book that engages parents with their children through an adventure of colors around the world.

Colleen Edwards is the author of Lost in the Woods, a children’s story about a brother and sister who decide to take a walk in the woods without their parent’s permission. Once they make it back home they have a lot of explaining to do.

Ivor Bryan is the author of Insights from a Crossing Guard, a book that focuses on providing parents, teachers, and guardians with some basic information and foolproof tips on raising, training, and guiding children from the moment they are born to the time they learn to drive.

Sindy Eugene, also known as “The Student Pathfinder,” is the author of several books. Sindy believes in transforming students one brick at a time.

Robens Chery is the author of The Mindset of a Teen, a book that offers a profound look

Fishing in the storm but…

(Cont'd from FP) It is intriguing to some, I would imagine, as they give witness to the expressions of joy that dawn the faces of those engaged in their ‘call of duty’; even though the activities may appear to be chancy, overbearing, time consuming, and beneath one’s status and without financial benefit. Little do they, the outsiders, know the workers engaged have already been prepared, way before they knew it.

How is it that we find ourselves working the plan and then all of a sudden we have slipped and fallen way off track?

It still baffles me, yet the answer is right there before us in plain sight. However, we see it as an aberration, a spirit, a total figment of our imagination - and yet it is so real!

It’s like the story of The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey - how difficult it is for us to believe what we can’t see.

“When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.

Numbers 22:23 (NASB) What seems to happen to us to cause us to fall–if you willis that we take our eyes off the Prize. The Prize in this context is the main purpose for our life in our enteral home. Our eyes are our total commitment to serving God. It’s really not that problematic to understanding what happens when we lose our focus. Remember the story concerning Peter when he stepped out of the boat (Matthew 14:30)? “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Yep, how soon we forget, quicker than a snow flake smelts when it hits a camp fire!

When moments challenge your needs to serve, remember the words to this song: Peter don’t, don’t be afraid, afraid; walk out on the water, don’t be afraid. There comes a time in our lives when we experience fright, we can’t help but be afraid. Just keep your eye on the light, shining there in the night, He controls the winds and waves. (and I know if He can control the angry sea, I’m a witness, He can fix whatever’s troubling me,) Peter don’t be afraid.

WHEN GOD CONTROLS IT, HE CONTROLS IT ALL!

Record number of former workers without benefits (Cont' from FP) EPI said the unemployment insurance recipiency rate tumbled to 23.1 percent in December 2014, beating the previous record low of 25 percent set in September 1984.

State lawmakers continue to slash jobless benefits, enacting policies that make it harder for the programs to work effectively. The policies have a disproportionate impact on unemployed Blacks who often face greater challenges than whites, as they struggle to stay connected to the labor market and make ends meet while they search for jobs.

“Many critics of UI programs wrongly assume that the lion’s share of jobless workers get benefits,” stated the report.

“This is plainly wrong over the history of UI and especially in the more restrictive states. The U.S. short-term recipiency rate was 34.7 percent in 2014, meaning that over 65 percent of shortterm jobless workers did not get state UI benefits.”

The report continued: “Some of the difference may be due to workers’ choices or preferences, but some may reflect discrimination in hiring and the reported reasons for separation

from those jobs, both of which can affect eligibility.”

Even though unemployment rates are higher for Blacks than whites, Blacks are less likely to receive unemployment benefits even when compared to workers with similar characteristics.

“One in four unemployed non-Hispanic white workers with less than a high school education receive UI, while one in eight unemployed non-Hispanic Black workers with less than a high school education receive UI,” the Urban Institute report explained. “This means many low-wage unemployed African American workers are likely suffering more economic hardship than their white counterparts—an especially adverse outcome given that African Americans likely have fewer assets to fall back on.”

In a press release about the report, Rick McHugh, an attorney and policy advocate who works on UI issues, said that a smaller percentage of jobless workers is receiving unemployment benefits than ever before.

“Because there were no federal benefit extensions in 2014, workers who exhausted state benefits had less protection from the harm caused by unemployment than any similar cohort of jobless workers since the

into the life of today’s teens as they deal with the struggles of decision making in society.

Idson Charles is the author of Revolt of the Wildlife.

Anderson was intrigued by the fierce nature of lions. He wanted a close experience with the wild animals of Africa and became a hunter. He learned about the cruel practices of animal hunting, and this set him on a mission to raise awareness of this injustice.

Horace Hord is senior vice president for corporate relations with ICABA Media Holdings, LLC. Hord has worked with several authors as their editor.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center.

Call the Welcome Desk at (954) 357-6210.

For more information about Broward County Libraries, visit broward.org/library

Increased Black home ownership would slice wealth gap

By Freddie Allen, NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent

One year after disappearance, advocates believe missing D.C. girl may still be alive

Relisha Rudd (Courtesy Photo)

By Linda Poulson, Special to the NNPA from the AfroAmerican Newspaper One year after the disappearance of a then-eight-year-old girl from a Washington, D.C. homeless shelter, supporters believe the girl may still be alive.

Relisha Rudd was last seen alive on March 1, 2014 in the company of 51-year-old Khalil Tatum, a janitor at D.C. General, the homeless shelter at which Rudd and her family lived. Tatum and Rudd were spotted on surveillance video at a motel in Northeast D.C. According to Washington, D.C. NBC affiliate WRC-TV, police believe Tatum kidnapped Rudd. Tatum was also a suspect in the death of his wife, Andrea, who was found dead weeks after Rudd’s disappearance; family members have said they believe she was killed because she late 1950s—when Congress first began benefit extensions,” said McHugh.

And according to a 2012 report by the Urban Institute, an independent public policy and research group, “Black unemployed workers have the lowest receipt of unemployment insurance, 23.8 percent compared to whites’ 33.2 percent.”

Since 2011, the states that cut how long workers could receive unemployment benefits were primarily in the South where most Blacks live. Excluding Oklahoma, Arizona and South Dakota, seven out of 10 states with the lowest shortterm UI recipiency rates in 2014 have higher percentages of Black residents than the national average.

“In 21 states, 70 percent or more of short-term jobless workers did not get UI benefits in 2014,” stated the EPI report.

The report said that jobless workers in Louisiana (32.4 percent Black population), Georgia (31.4 percent Black pop.), South Carolina (27.9 percent Black pop.) and Florida (16.7 percent Black pop.) had some of the lowest short-term UI recipiency rates in the country.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

knew Tatum had taken Rudd.

Tatum himself committed suicide a short time later.

However, suspicion has also focused on Shamika Young, Rudd’s mother, and Young’s boyfriend Antonio Wheeler.

Rudd may have been missing for weeks before her disappearance was reported, and police have said Young was aware that her daughter was in Tatum’s company, a claim Young refutes.

Among those who believe that Rudd’s mother may possess information about the girl’s disappearance is Derrica Wilson, a former northern Virginia law enforcement officer who has volunteered her expertise in the case. Wilson has said she believes Rudd was a victim of human trafficking.

“I think the mother knows something more than what she’s said…. what was the actual motive,” Wilson said.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Researchers studying the effects of public policy on the racial wealth gap estimated that the median wealth of Black households would rise 451 percent if Blacks owned homes at the same rates as whites.

“With policies that advance the rate of Black and Latino homeownership to the same rate as white households, Black median wealth would more than quadruple and Latino media wealth would more than triple,” said Catherine Ruetschlin, a senior policy analyst at Demos, a public policy group that advocates for political and economic equality.

A joint effort by Demos and the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP), a research group that advocates for economic opportunity, security and equity for individuals and families, detailed the key factors in housing, education, and the labor market that have contributed to the racial wealth gap for generations.

The report said that the median Black household had $7,113 in wealth holdings compared to the median white household, which had $111,146 in wealth holdings in 2011.

“Black households hold only 6 percent of the wealth owned by white households, which amounts to a total wealth gap of $104,033, and Latino households hold only 8 percent of the wealth owned by white households, a wealth gap of $102,798,” stated the report.

“In other words, a typical white family owns $15.63 for every $1 owned by a typical Black family and $13.33 for every $1 owned by a typical Latino family.”

According to the report, if public policy eliminated racial disparities in income, the median Black wealth would grow $11,488 and if disparities in college graduation rates were eradicated, median Black wealth would grow $1,313.

Thomas Shapiro, the director at IASP, said that the racial wealth gap is one of the most critical issues as the United States moves into the 21st century. Shapiro said that researchers designed a new tool called the “Racial Wealth Audit,” to get a real, objective handle on the impact of policy on wealth accumulation in the United States and what the racial wealth gap really looks like.

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Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 19 - March 25, 2015

Opinion

The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers 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.

Below-the-Belt attacks on the Obamas

By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist No United States president has been more disrespected than Barack Obama – and his family.

The hatred for the nation’s first African American president is so deep that all but seven Republicans in the U.S. Senate were willing to write a letter to Iran that amounted to treason on a grand scale.

In an effort to derail talks that would limit Iran’s nuclear weapons, 47 Republican senators signed an “open letter” to Iran’s leaders claiming any deal they reach with the administration won’t last after Obama leaves office.

In an issue that caused the Republican senators to be labeled traitors in a New York Daily News headline.

An editorial: said, “Regardless of President Obama’s fecklessness in negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran, 47 Republican U.S. senators engaged in treachery by sending a letter to the mullahs aimed at cutting the legs out from under America’s commander-inchief. We join GOP signatories in opposing the pact as outlined, but we strenu-

ously condemn their betrayal of the U.S. constitutional system.”

In case there is any doubt, the liberal political website PoliticusUSA stated, “According to the dictionary definition, a traitor is one who betrays a person, a principle, or especially their country. It is of no consequence why someone, or a group, chooses to work in opposition to their nation, or fellow citizens’ well-being, because if their intent and result of their actions is to deliberately damage or cause harm to their country or fellow citizens, they are by definition traitors.”

It wasn’t all that long ago that Democrats and Republicans observed the rule that while we might have our internal debates, when it comes for foreign policy, we speak with one voice – that of the President.

House Republicans ignored that long-standing custom by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, knowing he would be critical of ongoing negotiations by the U.S. and its allies to freeze Iran’s nuclear weapons. The White House was not consulted on the invitation, a sharp departure from established protocol.

188 years of Black Press excellence in USA

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist In recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), I believe

it is important to emphasize both the historical and contemporary mission, value and success of the Black Press in America. For the past 188 years Black Ameri- CHAVIS cans have labored diligently and responsibly to publish and distribute Black-owned newspapers in the interests of millions of Black Americans and others who cry out for freedom, justice, equality and empowerment.

What the first Black American publishers and editors of Freedom’s Journal, Samuel Cornish and John Brown Russwurm, worked hard to accomplish began a long and vibrant legacy that still continues today across the United States by publishers who are members of the NNPA. In the first edition of Freedom’s Journal published on March 16, 1827 in New York City, Cornish and Russwurm clearly stated, “We wish to plead our own cause… Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations, in things which concern us dearly.”

Freedom’s Journal was widely read in the northeast of the U.S. and secretly read and admired throughout the South among those who were fighting the oppression and brutality of the slavery of African people in America.

Thereafter, over the next 188 years wherever Black Americans were concentrated across the nation, the emergence of the Black-owned newspapers came forward with a firm commitment to excellence in journalism and the empowerment of the Black American community.

From the very beginning of the Black Press in America, publishers and editors asserted their Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as well as the fundamental human right of self-determination. “Pleading our own cause” and speaking for the rights, news, aspirations and dreams of Black America all continue today to be the undergirding foundation of the Black Press.

Frederick Douglass was one of our greatest orators and leaders who exemplified the audacity and genius to challenge all who would seek to oppress and deny freedom and equality. Yet Douglass was also a freedom-fighting newspaper owner and publisher of The North Star. The first edition of The North Star was published on Dec. 3, 1847 in Rochester, N.Y. Douglass believed that “owning” The North Star gave him a strategic advantage to effectively articulate in the interests of Black American liberation from slavery and poverty.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES The Westside Gazette welcomes your letters. Letters must be signed with name clearly legible along with a phone number and complete address. No unsigned or anonymous letters will be considered for publication. The Westside Gazette reserves the right to edit letters.

The letters should be 500 words or less.

The disrespect for Obama and the presidency itself has reached such a low point that a headline in the Washington Post summed it up this way: “Republicans are beginning to act as CURRY though Barack Obama isn’t even the president.”

The story explained, “It’s safe to say that no president in modern times has had his legitimacy questioned by the opposition party as much as Barack Obama. But as his term in office enters its final phase, Republicans are embarking on an entirely new enterprise: They have decided that as long as he holds the office of the presidency, it’s no longer necessary to respect the office itself.”

And many argue that the hatred extends well beyond partisan politics.

PolitcusUSA stated, “It is likely that throughout America’s short history, except for the traitorous Confederacy, no group of individuals has exhibited the characteristic betrayal of a traitor more than conservatives in general, and Republicans in particular. What makes their actions all the more despicable is that their traitorous actions are founded on racial animus for one man; and allegiance to foreigners and one tiny segment of the population.”

The attacks on Obama began when he first ran for president, with some conservatives openly questioning whether he was a U.S. citizen.

Marilyn Davenport, a member of the Orange County Republican Party in California, e-mailed a cartoon in 2010 with the face of President Obama superimposed on a chimpanzee. Also pictured were two older chimpanzees described as “parents.” The inscription on the cartoon read: “Now you know why – No birth certificate.”

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#BlackGirlsMatter right here in America

By Walter Fields, NNPA Columnist Every morning, when I fix my teenage daughter FIELDS breakfast and drop her off to school, she reminds me that #BlackGirlsMatter. Her journey has not been easy; made all the more difficult by an experience, beginning in middle school and persisting to high school, that threatened to crush her dreams by denying her access to classes education professionals deem critical to demonstrate college readiness. Had it not been for the advocacy of her parents, and the threat of litigation, my daughter would have been cast aside and surrendered to a curriculum that was not simply less challenging, but inadequate by the standards of competitive colleges and an increasingly analytical and technical workforce.

Today, in her junior year, she remains one of only a handful of Black girls enrolled in advanced honors and advanced placement classes in her public high school, Columbia Senior High School in suburban Maplewood, N.J. My daughter’s story is neither unique or an aberration. It is the reality facing Black girls in America. This is what the recently released report BlackGirlsMatter: Pushed Out, Overpoliced and Underprotected confirms. The Center for Intersectional and Social Policy Studies at Columbia University and the African American Policy Forum, authors of the report, has provided the nation with a powerful narrative of the dilemma of Black girls in our country. The report describes the disproportionate punishment meted out to Black girls in school, with data showing that they are suspended six times the rate of white girls as ‘zero tolerance’ policies hit with racial precision.

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What have Blacks achieved Child Watch after Selma and Black Continuing the Selma-toHistory Month?

Montgomery March

By Roger Caldwell

Black History Month and the commemoration of 50 years of the crossing of CALDWELL Edmund Pettus Bridge on bloody Sunday in Selma are over, and I wonder if it means anything to Black A-merica. In 2015 Blacks celebrate everything, but do our people see a connection between the state of our community and Black History?

The older generation understands the importance of politics, and history, but to the majority of younger Blacks there is no connection to these historical events.

There is a generational divide within our race, and the older generation is emotionally engaged, while the younger generation is more concerned with making money, and buying fancy things. When I was a young man, my father would tell me how he wore the same shoes all year long with holes in them. I would listen, but the next week, I was asking for a new pair of converse sneakers, because I was dealing with now.

“And because of men and women like John Lewis, Joseph Lowery, Hosea William, Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Dr. King, and so many more, the idea of a just America, a fair America, an inclusive America, a generous America,— that idea ultimately triumphed,” says President Obama in his speech at Selma.

To the younger generation, all of the president’s speeches are starting to sound the same, and many Blacks in America are asking if he believes his own words.

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Pressuring us towards war

By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Columnist I never cease to be surprised by the racist audacity of the Republicans in Congress. In clear violation of international protocol, they arranged for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak before Congress. The established practice has been that this is done always in consultation with the Executive Branch. This time the Republicans decided to snub that branch.

Wonders never cease. Forty-seven Republican senators then signed onto one of the strangest letters in the history of international relations. The

By Marian Wright Edelman, NNPA Columnist

To Be Equal From Selma to Montgomery – Martyrs of the March

By Marc H. Morial, NNPA Columnist “What could more profoundly vindicate the idea of America than plain and humble people — the unsung, the MORIAL downtrodden, the dreamers not of high station, not born to wealth or privilege, not of one religious tradition but many — coming together to shape their country’s course?”

– President Barack Obama, 50th Anniversary Commemoration of Selma’s “Bloody Sunday” No social reformation, reversal or revolution has ever rested solely on the shoulders of its most notable actors. This was as true during that pivotal moment in our nation’s history when colonists rebelled against the tyranny of British rule, as it was 50 years ago in Selma, Ala., where a decisive blow was struck to the institutionalized denial of voting rights for the city’s African Americans—setting the stage for historic strides in social justice, not just for African Americans but for Americans of every stripe, color and creed.

Progress—the kind that balances the scales of justice and swings open the doors of equality and opportunity to a wider swath of our nation—never comes as the result of one act of injustice or one trajectory changing act of bravery. Clarion calls for action often follow years, even centuries, of slights and injustices. Likewise, the march towards justice is paved with innumerable acts of bravery, large and small, by the prominent and the unsung.

The American movement to attain the unobstructed right to vote was born within the walls of an unassuming green house on Lapsley Street in Selma. The home to Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson and her husband Dr. Sullivan Jackson became a haven for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other prominent civil rights leaders.

The Jacksons’ hospitality in an environment that proved inhospitable to both their guests and their struggle to expand the exercise of constitutional rights can only be described as one in a multitude of courageous steps on the long road to justice.

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The Black Athlete A long time sports addiction

Fifty years ago I traveled from Mississippi to Selma, Ala. EDELMAN on March 21, 1965 to join Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and thousands of fellow citizens marching the 54 miles to the steps of the state’s capitol in Montgomery.

Millions of Americans now know about this march thanks to the movie Selma and the recent 50th anniversary celebration. Selma was the site of a courageous voting rights campaign

by Black citizens that was met by brutal Southern Jim Crow law enforcement and citizen violence. The nation was shocked two weeks earlier when John Lewis and Hosea Williams set out on a nonviolent march with a group of 600 people toward Montgomery to demand their right to vote and were brutally attacked by lawless state and local law enforcement officials at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The televised images of “Bloody Sunday” and the savage beatings of the marchers – including Congressman Lewis whose skull was fractured – were a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement and in America’s struggle to become America. It provoked the thousands of us (ultimately about 25,000) who came together later to finish the march, safer thanks to U.S. District Court Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr.’s order that we had a right to peaceful protest and with federalized Alabama National Guard protection.

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For the seventh year in a row, I drove out to the North Carolina Western Regional Basketball Championships to watch the best high TYREE school girls and boys teams square off for a trip to the North Carolina State Championships next weekend at Chapel Hill. Normally, I take one or both of my sons with me to watch, but often I attend the games alone when my sons are uninterested.

Each time I get the same curious question from other parents. “So, which kid out there is yours?”

Do I have to have a son or a daughter in the games to watch great high school competitions?

I’ve been watching competitive sports games at every level since my own years of high school back in the 1980s. In fact, I watched competitive games without my immediate family or friends involved, dating all the way back to my football days with the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia at age nine. I would walk or ride my bike to the surrounding neighborhood playgrounds of Philadelphia just watch great teams get it on, and I still do so today, nearly 40 years later, with my car now.

letter is addressed to the leadership of Iran and, in essence, says that whatever agreement Iran comes to with the Obama Administration will be voided by the next President of the United States. This is remarkable on so many levels, not the least being that no agreement has been reached–at the time of this writing–and that the Republicans are telling another country that there is no point in their negotiating with the incumbent Administration.

Like many people, I have been curious as to whether these senators actually broke a law. I am hoping that this can be quickly clarified. Deciding that they are appendages of the Israeli state instead of representatives

of the people of the United States, the Republicans are suggesting that if Iran does not surrender to the terms established by Israel that there will be war. Yes, Netanyahu and his sycophants in Congress do FLETCHER not use the term “war.” They speak of increasing sanctions and other pressure, but most knowledgeable observers recognize that the intent is to create a military crisis that will result in actions being taken by the United States against Iran. The results would probably be catastrophic.

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By Omar Tyree, NNPA Columnist

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Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

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

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Church Directory

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

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

Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR

March 19 - March 25, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship Service .............................................................................. 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

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

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ......................................................................... 11:00 a.m.

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

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

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Growth & Orientation ........................................................... 9 a.m.

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

St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church 145 NW 5th Ave., Dania Beach, FL 33004 (954) 922-2529

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"

Faith United Church of Christ 6201 NW 57 Street Tamarac, FL 33319 954-721-1232 uccfaith@bellsouth.net faithbroward.org

WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesday (NOON DAY PRAYER) ............................................. 12 -1 p.m.

Wednesday (PRAYER MEETING & BIBLE STUDY) .................... 645 p.m.

Sunday Worship Service ................................................................. 10 a.m.

Fifth Sunday Worhip Service ............................................................ 8 a.m.

Obituaries

"Historically the First Church in the City of Tamarac!”

Rev. Dr. Ileana Bosenbark, Senior Pastor WEEKLY SERVICES & EVENTS SUNDAY Worship Service (Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday) ........................................................... 10 a.m.

F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Children (Spiritual Formation) K-12 ................................ 10 a.m.

TUESDAY F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Adults (Spiritual Formation) - Office Complex ...... 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Worship & Arts Ministry Rehearsals (Open Auditions) - Sanctuary .............................. 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc. 4699 West Oakland Park Blvd.

Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 Office: (954) 735-1500 Fax: (954) 735-1939 fbcpg@bellsouth.net

Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, Pastor SUNDAY SERVICES Worship Services .......................................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Children's Church ........................................................ 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Communion (First Sunday) ......................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

New Members' Class .................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Church School .............................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Baptist Training Union (BTU) .................................................... 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ...................................... 11:15 a.m.. & 7:00 p.m.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Juana Jordan, M.Div E-MAIL:juana.jordan@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520 Church Fax: (954) 731-6290

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.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m.

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

Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m.

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

James C. Boyd Funeral Home AUSTIN Funeral services for the late Seymour Austin – 56.

HOLDER Funeral services for the late Stephanie Lyn Holder 41 were held March 14 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. Michael Addison officiating. Interment: Westview Cemetery.

MCDONALD Funeral services for the late LeRoy McDonald – 65.

McWhite's Funeral Home MORGAN Funeral services for the late Lafayette Ludlow Morgan – 59 were held March 14 at World Harvest Community Church of God with Rev. Marjorie Miller officiating. Interment: Bailey Memorial Gardens.

SUNDAY

"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"

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

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!

A F AMIL Y THA T FAMIL AMILY THAT PRA YS PRAY TOGETHER ST AYS STA TOGETHER

MYRICK Funeral services for the late Rory Cohen Myrick 50 were held March 14 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Pinder officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

ROBINSON Funeral services for the late Marion C. Robinson - 60 were held March 14 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Timothy Jackson officiating. Interment: Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery.

TUCKER Funeral services for the late Grethel Desouza-Tucker were held March 14 at Sunrise Church of God of Prophecy with Bishop Rufus Roger officiating.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home MONROE Funeral services for the late Rev. Wilford Monroe - 78 were held March13, at Williams Memorial CME Church with Pastor Cal Hopkins officiating. Interment: South Florida VA National Cemetery.

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Sophia Williams were held March 14 at Gateway Church with Rev. Preston Williams officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens – Central.

Pay Tribute Keep Their Memory Alive wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com

(954) 525-1489

Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” 644-646 NW 13th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net (Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

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!”

An Unparalleled Act of Love

By Ashahed M. Muhammad, Special to the NNPA from The Final Call DETROIT, MI – Eighteenyear-old A’ja Booth suffered from nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease in which protein leaks out of the kidneys into the body. One of the symptoms is excessive fluid retention causing pain and swelling in the face, arms legs, and feet.

For the last four years, A’ja has hated having to go in for kidney dialysis treatment every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. She would attend her morning classes at Westside Academy High School and then straight from there, navigating heavy traffic and sometimes inclement weather, get to the treatment center. Once at the treatment center, dialysis took four hours, and A’ja’s mother Ramona Booth said often it drained much of her daughter’s energy.

“It takes a lot out of her, she’s tired after, and she can’t do some things that other kids do,” said Ms. Booth.

The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the abdominal cavity on the left and right side of the spine. The kidneys are a part of the human body’s filtering system in removing waste products from the blood and producing urine, which moves from the kidney through the ureter to the bladder, where it remains until elimination.

The kidneys also produce substances that help control blood pressure levels and regulate red blood cell formation. In dialysis, machines perform functions kidneys would perform if healthy.

A’ja had been waiting for a suitable donor kidney for a year. Her mother said earlier last year, one of her classmates agreed to give her a kidney, but later backed out. They were disappointed, but continued to pray that a suitable donor would be found.

“I guess her mother must have talked her into not doing it because she was young,” said Ramona Booth.

A’ja had actually written a children’s book titled “My Dialysis Journey” to help guide youth who may be nervous or fearful about the process of kidney dialysis.

“I actually just explained everything in my book for children who just started being sick and the doctor is telling them they’re going to be on dialysis soon. I wrote a book for them to actually read, to inspire kids who don’t know anything about dialysis that’s starting and want to know what it was like, how it feels and what they do,” said A’ja.

One day A’ja was at school talking about her book. She did not make a big deal about

‘She saved my life. In an amazing act of love and courage, a Muslimteacher donates a kidney to a Christian student (Left) Nadirah Muhammad and (Right) A’ja Booth. her kidney problems, however, on this particular day, she was asking her principal and some other teachers about the process of copywriting a publication.

Nadirah Muhammad, a physical education teacher and heath instructor, overheard the conversation and asked if she could read the book. It turns out that Nadirah was already on a bone marrow donor’s list, and she did not know that A’ja went to kidney dialysis three days a week. After reading the book, she told the young student she would not mind being tested to see if she could donate one of her kidneys.

“Prior to meeting A’ja, I had put on my license to be an organ donor,” said Nadirah, a youthful 39-year-old and standing next to A’ja looks like she could be 18-years-old.

This was in May of 2014.

In order to give a kidney, blood has to match, then there are numerous other tests, urine samples and other exams to ensure that a potential donor is healthy enough to donate.

“Basically the process is to disqualify people based on their health, but all my blood work, all my lab tests came back squeaky clean. I didn’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or any health issues whatsoever,” said Nadirah. “After I went through the whole process, I went to the hospital about four times. And the last time was where I was there for the whole day going through testing such as psychological testing, and meeting the surgeons. And at the end they said I was an excellent match for A’ja and I should go ahead and proceed if I wanted to.”

Nadirah told A’ja’s mother about her plans to donate a kidney.

“I was really thankful and I was happy,” said A’ja.

“When I actually saw her, we spoke about it and she was very happy and my plan was to have the whole process done and complete by the time school started but things happened and the process was delayed,” said Nadirah.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 19 - March 25, 2015

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Blackonomics: Political Frustration

By James Clingman, NNPA Columnist

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Writing has been a catharsis for me since my “angry days” in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. I used to write “Last Poets” kind of stuff and just put Clingman it away afterwards. Writing was a release to lower the pressure in my mind about the state of our people. It’s much the same for me today, after nearly 23 years of writing Blackonomics. The larger context of my writing this column has evolved into a desire to inform, to educate, and to move our people to progressive economic action. I share ways and means through which we can achieve true freedom—economic freedom—in this nation.

I don’t write to impress, I write to express. That is to say, I do not intentionally use $50 words; rather, I make every effort to assure that my readers understand and will be moved to act on the information I share. It seems my frustration from the 1960’s and 1970’s has reared its ugly head in the 21st century.

What bothers me most is our view of politics and those who constantly force-feed us their political rhetoric and their “politicsonly” solutions to our problems. Instead of espousing economic solutions, they keep telling the young people to vote and “maach.”

Marching is fine but without an end game, or if it’s done just for grandstanding and setting up VIP sections by the Marcher-inChief, Al Sharpton, what do we get from it except worn out shoes?

We must go from politics to “Power-tics.”

Economic and political leverage cause benefits to accrue to those who know how to play the game. Black folks, so emotionally invested in politics-only strategies, will never get what we say we want and need from politicians. They are too busy meeting the demands of the corporate moguls and their lobbyists, who know all too well how to play “Power-tics.”

The frustration and anger I feel when I see the continuous daily parade of Facebook videos showing someone getting beat down, tasered, kicked, or killed by police officers is overwhelming.

The difference lies in whether we will continue to accept symbolism over substance when it comes to politics, and whether we are willing to use our economic leverage to solve our problems.

We are indeed a conflicted people right now. It seems we are willing to walk up to the line but not cross over into the arena where the real battle must take place. It seems we are willing to settle for so little in response to so much tragedy and injustice.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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You’ve landed your dream job. Your next step: make sure it doesn’t become a nightmare.

Consider these nine ways to tap your network.

When sharing news of your new position with friends and family, don’t forget to ask for guidance. Most people want to support your success: the biggest challenge is asking the right people for the right things.

Don’t ask one person for everything you want to know. Ask one or two questions from a diversity of people in your network.

Consider those areas that might be a challenge in your new position. Request recommendations for conferences and workshops your peers have found valuable. There are many to choose from, but an experienced fundraiser, executive or college president will refer you to ones that are specifically relevant to your position, rich in content, and that include opportunities to build your network.

Ask for a view of the road ahead. Meet one-on-one with individuals who are more experienced and who have a successful track record. Ask about the obstacles you may be up against, and how to overcome them. Too often we don’t know what we don’t know and then feel “blindsided” by events that are actually par for the course.

Create an advisory council of friends, associates and peers.

Call on these people proactively

Pearl and Mel Shaw as you develop strategies. Depending on the opportunity you may want to talk with someone who knows your community, or someone from out of town who won’t be competing for the same resources.

Expand your advisors to include people who can help you manage stress. In fundraising – as with many other businesses – stress can take you out. Include your personal trainer, life coach, minister or prayer partner as an advisor.

If you are married or in a committed relationship ask your peers about how they include their spouse in their many work-related commitments and how they protect their relationship from the strains that a fundraising career can impose.

Ask now, don’t wait until the stresses pile up.

Create a “listening tour.”

Talk to people in your department, across the organization and community. Learn the good and the bad related to your position and ask “how can I be most successful?” If possible, talk with your predecessor.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

March 19 - March 25, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Belmar can’t say if shooter was associated with protest or police were targets

By Chris King, Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American In a question-and-answer session with media at St. Louis County Police headquarters on March 13, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar walked back most of the major claims of fact he made the day before regarding the shootings of two police officers at Ferguson Police Department late on March 11.

On Thursday, the morning after the shooting, Belmar said he believed the weapon was a handgun aimed by someone associated with the protest held at the Ferguson Police Department on March 11 and aimed specifically at the police officers because they were police officers.

On Friday afternoon, Belmar would not discuss the shell casings collected at the scene and ignored a question about the type of gun that was used. He said he did not know if the shooter was involved in the protest. In fact, he said he could not rule out that protestors were the intended targets, rather than police.

He did say he didn’t “think it was a coincidence” that the police officers were shot near the end of a protest against police misconduct.

Belmar said it “would have been tragedy either way” if protestors had been hit by the gunfire instead of officers.

When a reporter claimed that Belmar didn’t describe the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown Jr. as a “tragedy,” he disagreed and even pointed out the date (August 13) and place (the back steps of police headquarters) when he described the teen’s death as a “tragedy.”

That was four days after Brown’s death on August 9.

It was clear at Thursday night’s candlelight vigil and peaceful protest at Ferguson Police Department that some of Belmar’s thinking had changed since that morning. Thursday morning Belmar talked about “re-adopting” some (presumably heavy-handed) command tactics, but he did not do so.

A reporter asked about his apparent shift in strategy and whether it was a “calculated risk” for officers to work the Thursday night protest without wearing full riot gear.

“There’s a whole lot of calculated risk in law enforcement,” Belmar said. He also pointed out that riot gear does not make an officer bullet-proof.

“Riot equipment is not ballistics equipment,” he said.

Belmar did say he will consider possible sniper attacks when he staffs future protests.

Belmar was asked about the apparent skill level of the shooter, and said, “They might be lucky. It was not a miracle shot. There were many officers standing together.” He said he

did not believe “it had to be a marksman with a scope.”

He declined to say where he thought the shots came from, though he said he has “a pretty good idea” where.

Belmar spoke as if keenly aware that the region is on a knife’s edge on issues of com-

Eyewitnesses call fatal LosAngeles Police shooting of homeless man unwarranted ‘They executed that man’

Screen grab of deadly confrontation between Los Angeles Police and a homeless, mentally ill man.

Photo: MGN Online LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (FinalCall.com) – As the Honorable Louis Farrakhan was delivering Pt. 2 of his poignant Saviours’ Day message of guidance and warning, “The Intensifying Universal Cry for Justice,” at Mosque Maryam in Chicago and addressing police killings and brutality, Los Angeles Police Department officers were involved in the fatal shooting of a homeless, mentally ill Black man that many witnesses said was unarmed.

The shooting occurred on Skid Row, a 50-block area of downtown L.A., known for the largest homeless population in America.

Ina Murphy told The Final Call she’d been speaking with her friend, known only on Skid Row as “Africa,” just five minutes before police killed him.

The man had been on Skid Row for about six months, she said.

He and a “neighbor,” who lived side-by-side in tents had just finished fighting, she stated. “He was sitting down and I spoke with him and I asked him to be careful, because I just overheard the other guy calling someone on the phone to come down here,” Ms. Murphy said.

She went to a church, nearly a block away, and within five minutes, someone called her out to see what was happening.

Female Skid Row resident reenacts what she said she saw in LAPD shooting of homeless, mentally ill Black man. Police said the man was armed, some witnesses insist the man was not armed. (Photo by Charlene Muhammad) She stood just outside the Central City Community Church of the Nazarene and lamented as choir songs flowed out of church doors and filled the air.

She and many who were homeless wanted answers about what they labeled a senseless killing.

“He had just told me he got out the mental institution he’d been in 10 years, and that the police was aware of his condition,” Ms. Murphy said. She cried and wiped her tears with a tissue.

“He’s not the type. I’ve never seen him be aggressive with the police. Whenever they told him to take down his tent or came over there to speak to them, he did exactly what they told him,” she said.

Ms. Murphy told The Final Call, “I just think it’s wrong.

He was a beautiful person, and any time we needed help from him, he would help us.”

The shooting occurred at 11:50 a.m., according to General Dogon, a civil rights organizer on Skid Row. Three hours later as Skid Row residents, activists and news media waited for updates on the

Utah reinstates ‘humane’ death by firing squad capital punishment (Cont'd from FP) “We would love to get the lethal injection worked out so we can continue with that, but if not, now we have a backup plan,” he added.

However, some have voiced the opinion that reverting back to firing squads—which is something that has been left over from the days of the old Wild West—is not only going back to cruel methods of execution, but will attract international condemnation for Utah.

Calling firing squads a “relic of a more barbaric past,” the director of Utahns for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Ralph Dellapiana, said he believes Utah is taking a “giant step backward.” He added that the legislative body should not be finding alternative ways to end the life of their prisoners, but should instead discuss whether they should continue with the death penalty at all.

However, since the bill will have to be signed by the Republican Governor of the state, Gary Herbert, who is keeping quiet about what he will do if it reaches his desk, it is still unclear whether the bill will become law.

Anna Brower, the representative of Utah’s American Civil Liberties Union, said they are hoping Herbert will refuse to sign the bill because it would make the state look “backwards and backwoods.” However, the governor’s spokesman, Marty Carpenter, said that it would give Utah an alternative method of execution, should lethal drugs become unavailable in the future.

Although the bill made it through the Senate 18-10 with

munity-police relations. He spoke respectfully of the “protest community.” He even corrected his previous statement that the investigation into the shooting was the department’s “No. 1 priority.” Instead, he said the top priority was maintaining the “tempo of service and re-

no debate on Tuesday, with four Republicans joining the Democrats who stood in opposition, it only just scraped through the House in February. The House vote had originally been tied, but it passed after additional supporters of the bill were called in to vote.

While Arkansas has also introduced legislation to allow firing squads if lethal drugs are not available, a similar proposal in Wyoming was rejected. Several other states are looking for alternative methods to their death penalty protocols after the botched lethal injection in Arizona last year which took almost two hours to complete.

Oklahoma is now considering a proposal that would use nitrogen gas to execute their condemned inmates after a lethal injection last year went wrong.

Although Utah does not presently have any inmates who have been scheduled for execution, they would have to order drugs for any planned death sentence to be carried out in the years to come, according to the head of Utah’s prison system.

Reverting to the method of firing squads would allow the state an alternative form of punishment if the current situation with European manufacturers refusing to sell lethal concoctions remains.

During the execution of Gardner in 2010, one of the five rifles given to the police officers contained a blank shell so that no one would know who delivered the shot which terminated his life. After finishing his meal the previous evening — he wanted to fast before the sentence was carried out — Gardner awaited his demise until 12:15 a.m. When asked if

he wanted to say any final words just before his execution, he replied “I do not, no,” and he was pronounced dead at 12:17 a.m.

Although death by firing squad may appear to be a faster method of execution, it doesn’t always go as planned, according to newspaper reports of a death penalty carried out in 1879. Wallace Wilkerson reportedly took 27 minutes to die when the firing squad missed hitting his heart.

From left, Skid Row activist “D.J.” General Jeff consoles Skid Row resident Ina Murphy following LAPD shooting of homeless, mentally ill Black man that some witnesses said was unarmed. (Photo by Charlene Muhammad) shooting from investigators, anger and frustration were evident.

“We’re out here trying to live! … You know us already! Ya’ll patrol these streets everyday!

We see you everyday … Ya’ll gon’ shoot us? Ya’ll gon’ shoot us,” shouted one man at police who stood behind bright yellow crime scene tape that separated cops and onlookers.

“The community is still wait ing for a response from LAPD,” Mr. Dogon said.

lationships in the Ferguson area.”

Race has been a primary theme in Ferguson, since the police are mostly white and the diverse protest movement is led

by African Americans and stresses the value of “black lives.” Belmar struck a peacemaking tone on race. He opened the Q&A by giving a rundown of political calls of support he had received since the shootings. The list ended with the NAACP. Belmar admitted he thought they were calling with a list of demands, but instead they only offered support. “It’s a big deal,” Belmar said.

He mentioned that a Black Congressman, U.S. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, called to offer money towards a reward for information leading to the shooter’s arrest. Belmar said he directed Cleaver to BackStoppers.

The reward amount is already more than $10,000, Belmar said, though the police are not anywhere close to solving the case. When asked how his thinking about the case had evolved, he said he did not have enough information to evolve his thinking as much as he’d like.

“No arrest is imminent,” Belmar said. “No one is in custody.”

The three individuals taken in for questioning Thursday, he said, did not take the investigation anywhere. “I ap-

(Cont'd from FP) His community activist efforts include: his fight against red light cameras, supported non-profits that assist women and children in need, such as the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center, Group De Aquin Haiti, Family and Friends Connection and The Children’s Harbor.

Maxwell is a board member of The Children’s Connection, a group that provides safe homes and adoption services for children from Haiti. He and his wife have been very vocal advocates for assisting small businesses and stopping the foreclosure crisis in Broward County. He believes that volunteerism makes a difference.

Maxwell is married to Barbara Sharief, the Broward County Commissioner for District 8.

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA NOTICE OF MEETINGS 4/7/15 KCW Bldg., 600 SE 3 rd Ave., Ft. Laud.

10:00 a.m.

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5HJXODU 6FKRRO %RDUG 0HHWLQJ 4/14/15 10:00 a.m.

KCW Bldg., 600 SE 3 rd Ave., Ft. Laud.

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4/21/15 10:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

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4/28/15 10:00 a.m.

KCW Bldg., 600 SE 3 rd Ave., Ft. Laud.

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Regular School Board Meeting ± Public speakers listed on the agenda will be heard at 12 p.m. or as close to that time as possible.

Workshops ± Public speakers will be permitted three minutes each to address a topic at the conclusion of Board Members' discussion on the topic. The times for items on the agenda are only estimates.

The actual start times for these topics may vary up to an hour or more depending on the nature of the items and the length of the Board discussions and public comments.

The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure, which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Individuals who wish to file a discrimination and/or harassment complaint may call the Director, Equal Educational Opportunities/ADA Compliance Department, at 754-321-2150 or Teletype Machine (TTY) 754-321-2158.

Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), may call Equal Educational Opportunities/ADA Compliance Department, at 754-321-2150 or Teletype Machine (TTY) 754-321-2158.

Telephone conferencing or other telecommunications technology may be used in conducting this public meeting to permit absent Board Members to participate in discussions, to be heard by other School Board Members and the public, and to hear discussions taking place during the meeting.

preciate the forthrightness and cooperation of those individuals,” he said.

Belmar was asked about the possibility of the county police being contracted for police services in Ferguson, if the city’s negotiation with the Department of Justice regarding its scathing investigative report ends with Ferguson disbanding its police department.

He said the St. Louis County Police Department has $20 million in contracts for police services. Asked if he would be involved in conversations between Ferguson and DOJ, he said, “I’m going to have to be.”

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA NOTICE OF MEETINGS MEETINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR CANCELLATION Date Meeting Place /15 Parent/Community Involvement KCW Bldg., Board Room rd 11a-1p Non-Profit Forum 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

3/26/15 Superintendent's Ins. & Wellness TSSC (Annex) Advisory Committee (SIWAC) 10a 7770 W. Oklnd Pk Blvd., Sunrise (Purpose: Review 2014 Plan Year, as it pertains to cost savings/cost avoidance, and any other matters the Committee deems important.

Telephone conferencing or other telecommunications technology may be used in the conduct of this public meeting to permit absent SIWAC members to participate in discussions, to be heard by other Committee Members and the public, and to hear discussions taking place during the meeting.)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Serving is a family matter: Miramar Commissioner Maxwell Chambers

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar.

(Lawrence Bryant/St. Louis American)

4/1/15 4:30-5:30p 4/1/15 8-10a 4/2/15 6:30-8:30p 4/2/15 5:30-6:30p 4/2/15 10a-12p 4/6/15 4:30-5:30p 4/7/15 9:30-11:30a 4/7/15 11:30a12:30p 4/7/15 8:30-10:30a 4/8/15 6:30-9p 4/9/15 9:30a 4/9/15 6:30p 4/10/15 10a-1p 4/13/15 6:30-8p 4/13/15 2:30-3:30p 4/13/15 3:30-4:30p 4/13/15 4:30-5:30p 4/13/15 9:30-11a 4/15/15 8-10a 4/16/15 9:30a 4/16/15 10a-12p 4/16/15 7-8p 4/16/15 7p 4/16/15 6p 4/17/15 10a-1p 4/20/15 6-8p 4/21/15 8:30-10:30a 4/22/15 6:30-9p 4/22/15 4-5p 4/24/15 10a-12p 4/24/15 10a-1p 4/29/15 8-10a 4/30/15 12:30p 4/9/15 10a

Diversity Committee ± Bylaws Subcommittee Policy 6000.1 Committee

Lauderdale Manors Lrng. Cntr. th 1400 NW 14 Court, Ft. Laud. th KCW Bldg., 13 Fl. Conf. Rm rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

Diversity Committee KCW Bldg., Board Room rd -General Meeting 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

Diversity Committee - School KCW Bldg., Board Room rd Site Visitation Subcommittee 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

ESE Adv. Exec. Board Mtg. JAFCO 5100 Nob Hill Rd., Sunrise Diversity Committee - School Lauderdale Manors Lrng. Cntr. th 1400 NW 14 Court, Ft. Laud.

Site Visitation Subcommittee ESE - Autism Committee of ESE Baudhuin Preschool th Advisory (ACE) 7600 SW 36 St., #2218, Davie ESE - ACE Board Meeting Baudhuin Preschool th 7600 SW 36 St., #2218, Davie Policy 6308 Instructional Materials Change Committee District Adv. Council (DAC) -General Meeting Central Area Advisory Council -Steering Committee Facilities Task Force General Mtg ESE By-Laws Committee District Adv. Council (DAC) -Steering Meeting Diversity Committee - Chair, Vice-Chair & Staff Mbr Mtg Diversity Committee - School Site Visitation Subcommittee Diversity Committee ± Bylaws Subcommittee ESE Down Syndrome Exec.

Board Mtg. Policy 6000.1 Committee Central Area Advisory Council -General Meeting ESE - Down Syndrome Task Force Committee Gifted Advisory

th

KCW Bldg., 13 Fl. Conf. Rm rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

KCW Bldg. rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

TSSC 7770 W. Oklnd Pk Blvd., Sunrise Plantation High School Media Ctr. th 6901 NW 16 St, Plantation Northwest Regional Library 3151 N. Univ. Dr., Coral Spgs th KCW Bldg., 10 Fl. Conf. Rm rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

Lauderdale Manors Lrng. Cntr. th 1400 NW 14 Court, Ft. Laud.

Lauderdale Manors Lrng. Cntr. th 1400 NW 14 Court, Ft. Laud.

Lauderdale Manors Lrng. Cntr. th 1400 NW 14 Court, Ft. Laud.

JAFCO 5100 Nob Hill Rd., Sunrise th KCW Bldg., 13 Fl. Conf. Rm rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

TBA West Regional Library 8601 W Broward Blvd., Plantation TBA

North Area Advisory CouncilGeneral Mtg. North Area Advisory CouncilSteering Mtg. ESE By-Laws Committee

Stoneman Douglas High School 5901 Pine Island Rd., Parkland Stoneman Douglas High School 5901 Pine Island Rd., Parkland Northwest Regional Library 3151 N. Univ. Dr., Coral Spgs Parent/Community Involvement McFatter Tech Center - Bistro Task Force 6500 Nova Drive, Davie th Policy 6308 Instructional KCW Bldg., 13 Fl. Conf. Rm rd Materials Change Committee 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

ESE Advisory Council Meeting Piper High School, Sm.Aud. 8000 SW 44 Street, Sunrise Supplier Diversity & Outreach TSSC (Rm. 323) Program Advisory Committee 7770 W. Oklnd Pk Blvd., Sunrise ESE - ACE Board Meeting Dunkin Donuts 9740 Griffin Rd., Cooper City ESE By-Laws Committee Northwest Regional Library 3151 N. Univ. Dr., Coral Spgs th Policy 6000.1 Committee KCW Bldg., 13 Fl. Conf. Rm rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

Audit Committee KCW Bldg., Board Room rd 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

Superintendent's Ins. & Wellness TSSC (Annex) Advisory Committee (SIWAC) 7770 W. Oklnd Pk Blvd., Sunrise (Purpose: Evaluation of RFP for Third-Party Administrator for Tax Sheltered Annuities, and any other matters the Committee deems important. Telephone conferencing or other telecommunications technology may be used in the conduct of this public meeting to permit absent SIWAC members to participate in discussions, to be heard by other Committee Members and the public, and to hear discussions taking place during the meeting.) th

3/18/15 SupW¶V (QYLURQPHQWDO 7HFK KCW Bldg., 13 Fl. Conf. Rm rd 9-11:30a 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

Adv. Committee (SETAC) 4/13/15 Technology Advisory BECON - MGM Room 2:30-4:30p Committee (TAC) 6600 SW Nova Drive, Davie th 4/30/15 Wellness & Learning Supports KCW Bldg., 14 Fl. Conf. Rm rd Committee 1-3p 600 SE 3 Avenue, Ft. Laud.

The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure, which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Individuals who wish to file a discrimination and/or harassment complaint may call the Director, Equal Educational Opportunities/ADA Compliance Department, at 754-321-2150 or Teletype Machine (TTY) 754-321-2158. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), may call Equal Educational Opportunities/ADA Compliance Department, at 754-321-2150 or Teletype Machine (TTY) 754-321-2158.

Notice is hereby given that two or more Board Members of The School Board of Broward County, Florida, may be participating.

Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 19 - March 25, 2015

6 Black actors, directors, producers expected to compete In Oscars 2016

EJIOFOR

By Joshua Copeland a pro football player which raised public awareness about We’ve just finished the Acad- the disease. The movie is based emy Awards and folks are al- on a GQ article titled “Game ready talking about Oscar sea- Brain” written by Jeanne Marie son for 2016. Here are six Laskas. Gugu Mbatha-Raw will be co-starring in the film, projects that are projected to re- playing Smith’s wife. ceive Oscar buzz for the 2016 2.) Ryan Coogler and Michael season.

B. Jordan in Creed - The two 1.) Will Smith for his role in will reunite for this boxing Concussion - A drama about drama that spins off of the Forensic Neuropathologist Dr. Rocky storyline.

Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) Bennet Omalu who made the will be training the son of his first discovery of CTE (Chronic rival and deceased friend, Traumatic Encephalopathy) in Apollo Creed.

Man who wrote Richard Pryor’s jokes dies at 82

BANKS

By Victor O. Reports are confirming that comedy writer David Banks, who was best known for his work with Richard Pryor, has died in California at the age of david-banks82.

Banks, who was also said to be a manager, an actor, a music producer and promotion man, died at a hospital in San Fernando Valley, Southern Cali-

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS 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.

March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2015

MISCELLANEOUS Mt. Pisgah MB Church of Pompano, Inc. at 891 NW 27 th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 is now receiving resumes for the position of PASTOR.. Those interested must be called by God, meet the criteria of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and should meet the following criteria: 1. Must be a Baptist ordained member in good standings 2. Must serve in a Baptist church that will give letter of recommendation 3. Position will be bi-vocational 4. 5 years of church leadership experience 5. High school graduate or higher Must submit to background check and home visit. Resumes are being accepted.

Please send resume, video or links to : Mt. Pisgah - c/o Nathaniel Lowe - 2613 NW 8th Street, Pompano Beach, FL. 33069 or email to mtpisgahpompano@att.net

fornia on Feb. 21. The cause of his death given was heart failure.

Before his eventual demise, Banks was said to have experienced a mild heart attack in 2013. But he was able to pull through that incident, which occurred a few days before he turned 81.

Banks was born in Jackson, Mississippi in June of 1932, but had lived in Los Angeles, California since the early 1970s.

He served in the Air Force after graduating from high school and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, Berkley.

The respected comedy writer is said to have been involved the business of entertainment from the time he was a teenager. Banks became an executive in the music industry soon after finishing college, going on to work with several entertainment companies. These companies included Warner Bros. Records and Columbia Records.

Banks is arguably most renowned for his work with Pryor.

He produced some of the highlyinfluential and controversial comedian’s multiple platinum albums. The comedy writer is credited with having created the title of Pryor’s documentary on Showtime – “Omit the Logic.”

One of Pryor’s comedy albums that Banks produced was the “Bicentennial N*gger,” which was released by Warner Bros. Records in September of 1976 on a cassette tape. The CD version was released in June of 1989. The album was so well-received that it was announced the winner of the Best Comedy Album honor at the 1977 Grammy Awards.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Pleasant P ainting Painting

by Dion (954) 868-0554 *Bedrooms * Bathrooms *Businesses * Living Room * Den * Kitchen * Ceilings * Floor Boards * Doors * Driveways * Garage * Designs have additional fees.

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This film has the potential to rack up in the Oscars with awards ranging from Best Original Screenplay to Best Director and even Best Actor nominations.

3.) Antoine Fuqua for upcoming film “Southpaw.”

Despite his classic film “Training Day,” which resulted in Denzel Washington winning Best Actor, Director Antoine Fuqua has never been nominated. But that might change with his upcoming film “Southpaw” another boxing drama

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper starring Jake Gyllenhaul who fights his way to the top while his life around him is falling apart.

4.) Chiwetel Ejiofor for role in “The Secret in Their Eyes” Chiwetel Ejiofor could have another Best Actor nomination and possibly win in his performance in the Argentine crime thriller “The Secret in Their Eyes”. The American remake will be the story of legal counselor (Ejiofor) who writes a novel in hopes to find closure for one of the unsolved homicidal cases

and for his unreciprocated love for his superior.

5.) Samuel Jackson in Quentin Tarantino’s “Hateful Eight” Expect a film that will have you on the edge of your seats. A battle royale erupts when 8 bounty hunters try and find shelter during a blizzard, but find themselves in a plot of betrayal and deception. There’s a chance that Jackson could walk away with Best Supporting Actor.

6.) Rick Famuyiwa’s upcoming film, “Dope” This upcoming film created the most buzz at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Famuyiwa’s “Dope” is set to be released on June 12, which isn’t normally considered Oscar bait season. If anything, there’s a chance that “Dope” could be nominated or even win Best Original Screenplay.

What are your thoughts for these upcoming films?

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

March 19 - March 25, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 11

Activists: Justice Department, Ferguson report ‘can go to h*ll’ Attorney General Eric Holder announced findings of the Justice Department’s two investigations following the shooting that sparked worldwide protests, marches, and mobilization against police brutality and misconduct.

One probe conducted by the Justice Department, with the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri and the FBI

cleared Mr. Wilson of civil rights violations.

But the other, an investigation by the Civil Rights Division, found a widespread pattern of race-based unconstitutional policing by the small police department.

Details were contained in a scathing March 4 report titled, “Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department.”

“I recognize that the findings in our report may leave

Counting the victims of police violence

a given city or police department is really culpable for this and really needs to make a change.”

According to the data, Florida, Texas, and California had the highest number of Black victims last year (each responsible for between 20 and 35 deaths). Police departments responsible for the most deaths last year include Chicago Police Department (13 killed), followed

by Los Angeles and New York (10 each), and Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland (five deaths).

Sinyangwe points out that for the city of St. Louis, if the current trend continues; Black males 27 and younger will have a statistically greater chance of being killed by police than dying in a car accident.

The data also shows a marked drop in police killings after Michael Brown’s death and the start of the Ferguson protests.

In August 2014, police killed 140 people around the country, 43 of them Black; the next month, those numbers fell to 80 and 19, respectively. They still have not returned to their August 2014 levels, for any demographic.

MappingPoliceViolence.org is run by Ferguson protesters and organizers, and is a project of the movement’s online hub, WetheProtesters.org. Volunteers around the country contribute to, sort, and verify the information.

“What I hope, and what DeRay [McKesson], [Johnetta Elzie], and I are building the capacity to do, is to use this tool to support groups on the ground… to be able to really make the case, using the best data available, for long-term institutional change,” Sinyangwe says.

“Particularly in the Midwest, and then a little bit in the South, there really are hotbeds for police violence. The question is, can we actually do something on a preventative end instead of waiting until a huge tragedy happens?”

By Charlene Muhammad Special to the NNPA from The Final Call (FinalCall.com) – Outrage, frustration, disappointment describe how many Blacks and others are feeling over the Department of Justice’s decision not to file civil rights charges against former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for killing unarmed teen Michael Brown, Jr., in the Missouri suburb.

(Cont'd from FP) “What you can show quite plainly with this tool is that, in fact, places with the same amount of crime, the same de-

mographics, have very different levels of police violence. So crime is not an excuse,” Sinyangwe said. “We’re hoping to really help [communities and organizers] make the case for why

The mission of the Stolen Lives Project is to assemble a national list of people killed by law enforcement agents from 1990 to the present. Through grassroots efforts, over 2000 cases were documented in the second edition of the Stolen Lives book, which was published in 1999. Although just the tip of the iceberg, these 2000+ are evidence of a horrifying national epidemic of police brutality. The victims of police violence were part of our society, but rarely are their lives or names publicized, or the real circumstances surrounding their deaths investigated and made known. The Stolen Lives Project aims to restore some dignity to the lives lost. Though their lives have been stolen from us, we will not allow them to be forgotten.

Contact the Stolen Lives Project via the October 22 Coalition: Address: P.O. Box 2627, New York, NY 10009 Email: oct22national@gmail.com

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! presented

by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt is coming to South Florida March 26-April 5 Make an ordinary day extraordinary when Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt brings more than 50 Disney characters to South Florida for one colossal party on ice! This action-packed, all-new show features a magical montage of celebrations and is set to a blend of contemporary music and favorite Disney songs.

Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! Presented by YoKids Organic Yogurt is performing at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. from March 26 to 29 and in Miami, Fla. at the American Airlines Arena from April 1 to 5.

Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they celebrate a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; Mardi Gras with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with the Disney Princesses; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch; a winter wonderland with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear; a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains and more in the celebration of the century.

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! Presented by YoKids Organic Yogurt will be a memorable and uplifting experience for the whole family!

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen Tickets start at $16 and are available at the BB&T Center and AmericanAirlines Arena box offices, through Ticketmaster and online at www.disneyonice.com.

Showtimes: BB&T Center * Thursday, March 26 — 7 p.m. * Friday, March 27 — 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. * Saturday, March 28 —11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. * Sunday, March 29 — 1

p.m. and 5 p.m.

AmericanAirlines Arena – * Wednesday, April 1 —7 p.m. * Thursday, April 2 — 7 p.m. * Friday, April 3 — 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 4 —11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. * Sunday, April 5 — 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

To discover more about Disney On Ice, go to www.DisneyOnIce.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

some to wonder how the department’s findings can differ so sharply from some of the initial, widely reported accounts of what transpired. I want to emphasize that the strength and integrity of America’s justice system has always rested on its ability to deliver impartial results in precisely these types of difficult circumstances—adhering strictly to the facts and the law, regardless of assumptions,” Attorney General Holder stated.

“In America, in 2015, it is perfectly legal to murder Black women, men and children,” said Tef Poe, a young activist and hip hop artist from St. Louis, which is near Ferguson. He has been active in protests, organizing and speaking out. “It’s perfectly legal, and if anybody tells you that it’s not, they’re lying,” he told The Final Call.

Police pimping the public?

Generating money is the top priority of the Ferguson Police Department with Black residents seen as offenders and less as constituents, the federal government found.

Blacks are 67 percent of the city population, yet from 20122014, represented 85 percent of vehicle stops, 90 percent of the citations, and 93 percent of the arrests.

Large court bails, fines and fees were common and unjustified. A Black woman was jailed for six days and ordered to pay more than $1,000 in fines stemming from a parking violation that was originally $151, said the Justice Dept.

Trumped up charges for code enforcement generated fines and fees for Ferguson’s budget that reached $1.38 million of the $11.07 million collected in general funds in 2010, said the Justice Dept. Budget predictions continued to exceed expectations year after year. In 2012, city officials “predicted” that fines and fees revenue would increase 30 percent to $1.92 million; however Fer-

guson courts exceeded the “prediction” and collected $2.11 million. Predictions were exceeded again in 2013 by courts, which essentially are under the control of the Ferguson police chief, collecting $2.46 million in fines and fees.

“This really does show you that these cases like what went down in Ferguson and these situations, they have very little respect for us as human beings, but there’s also very little respect for our intellectual capabilities, and that shows you the in-depth nature of racism. They don’t even respect our minds enough to come up with schemes and cover ups that make sense when they are covering something up,” said Mr. Poe. The government is just playing mind games, and relying on the same tactics that they’ve always relied on, he told The Final Call. “And once again, a community and us as Black peo-

ple as a whole are being treated as if we’re some fools,” he stated.

“They piece it together very sloppily. The story doesn’t even make sense. The facts don’t add up, and they present it to us with no clear path as to how what they claim happened, and we’re just supposed to accept it,” he continued.

Justice Department recommendations for fixing the Ferguson Police Department included prohibiting ticketing and arrest quotas and increasing community relations through efforts like police sports leagues and informal activities. The feds also recommended creating frequent, positive interactions with people outside of an enforcement context, especially groups that have expressed high levels of distrust of police.

“That report can go to hell, because that’s exactly where it came from,” said Mr. Poe. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Page 12 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 19 - March 25, 2015

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Thanks to Obamacare, African-American uninsured rates take a dive care, in a case known as King vs. Burrell.

“If the court rules against the administration, customers in two-thirds of the states would be cut off from subsidies, which would create a crisis for both Congress and the White House,” Washington

Times wrote.

If the Court decides to gut the health care law, eight million Americans could lose subsidies that would help them afford their Obamacare plans, HHS said.

Or Congress could act on the budget proposal released this

morning. Once again, Republicans are suggesting the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and they’re looking to partially privatize Medicare.

“Congressional budgets do not have the force of law and are largely advisory documents, but they represent the broadest

statement of governing philosophy each year and set overall spending levels for the coming fiscal year. And in the coming months, this one may contain language easing passage of taxation and entitlement legislation,” writes The New York Times.

Thirty-year-old Nigerian tech entrepreneur may runApple out of business in Africa

By Kimberly Gedeon Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the American uninsured rate took the largest plummet we’ve ever seen in 40 years — 16.4 million gained coverage since Obamacare’s passage. African Americans, in particular, saw their uninsured rate take quite a dip, according to the Health and Human Services Department.

It’s been five years since Obamacare has been signed to law and so far, the HHS says, minorities have benefited the most from the Affordable Care Act. The uninsured rate dropped by more than 9.2 percentage points among Blacks and more than 12 percentage points among Latinos. Whites saw their uninsured rate drop by 5.3 percentage points.

These figures may register in your head as just cold statistics, but “these numbers represent real people whose lives have changed for the bet-

ter,” Meena Seshamani, the director of HHS’s Office of Health Reform, said.

Overall, as a result of the Affordable Care Act, 14.1 million adults obtained health insurance since October of 2013. During this period, Americans saw the uninsured rate plummet from 20.3 percent to 13.2 percent — that’s a 35 percent reduction, the HHS adds.

Another 2.3 million young adults gained health coverage between 2010 and October of 2013.

“When it comes to the key metrics of affordability, access, and quality, the evidence shows that the Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses and taxpayers are better off as a result,” HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said in a statement to Time.

Well, tell that to the Supreme Court. The Affordable Care Act is on the verge of being scrapped as justices heard oral arguments, in opposition of Obama-

A 30-year-old Nigerian phone entrepreneur by the name of Michael Akindele has been making great strides in the mobile device market — so much so, that he has been challenging tech giants such as Apple.

The company, SOLO Phone, was started in 2012, and Akindele serves as director and co-founder. The company is aimed at delivering mobile solutions, services, and platforms to consumers, all at a reasonable price.

By Ashford University Sure, you’ve mastered Candy Crush, but you have your eyes on bigger opportunities: The company’s smartphones are priced at $150 and come

with up to 20 million free songs licensed by Sony, Universal, and Warner. Its latest release is an app named Video-On-Demand, available to all Nigerians with an Android device and makes available Nollywood and Hollywood movies.

SOLO Phone is making strides in the market and can definitely challenge other giants within the market, believes Akindele.

Akindele was born in the United States to Nigerian parents on Aug. 29, 1984. He returned to Nigeria at two-years-old but returned to the states 10 years later.

He was educated at Alexandria, Va. and graduated from T.C. Williams High School, and then moved on to George Mason University in Fairfax. While at George Mason, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on computer science and information technology. This gave him the ideal background, knowledge, and platform to building his company.

His work as a technology consultant at Accenture also helped him to gain first-hand knowledge in his field. This is where he started working on The Apprentice: Africa, which was the American version of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice. He returned to Africa in 2007 to help produce, develop, and distribute the show, which gained a huge following in Nigeria, Uganda,

Ghana and Kenya during the 18 weeks it was aired on the continent.

Before SOLO Phone, he had a company called Fusion Mobile, but it did not last very long because of a lack of funding and persons not believing in an African manufacturing phone company. Adlevo Capita, however, changed all that in 2013 when they partnered with Akindele.

This led to the birth of SOLO. Tayo Ogundipe is a telecom specialist who led the push to develop the company and has

Adele Litman Savage, 92 of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015. She was an Evangelist at Piney Grove Baptist Church, a community service volunteer, co-owner and bookkeeper for her hus-

experience working with companies such as Sony Ericsson and HTC. His experience led to the realization of SOLO on Nov. 22, 2013. Since then, the reception from the public has been tremendous, as they seek to provide experience-driven and strong digital content to both the young and the old.

What has been keeping consumers interested and has set SOLO apart from others in the market is the high content and services it provides at such an affordable price.

band Sterlan, Savage Roofing. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Jerelene Savage Franklin, retired educator; grandson Robert C. Franklin, II and granddaughter Tanika Franklin–Francis (Charles); great-granddaughter Keyonah Franklin and Chardae Francis. Preceded by parents Will and Adell Harris Litman; brothers and sisters John Litman (Lillie); Hattie B. Litman Burroughs (William); Lillie Litman; Fannie Walker Florence (Henry); Ruby Litman Walker (Buster); Lavonia Litman; Covin Simpson (John); Willie Clyde Litman Thomas (Jerry); Leroy Litman (Selma); Valder Litman (Pat); and Eunice Litman.

She also leaves to mourn, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friend.