The Westside Gazette

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THURSDA Y, JUL Y 21 - WEDNESDA Y, JUL Y 27 ,2016 THURSDAY JULY WEDNESDAY JULY 27,2016

‘White Hat Warrior’ Levi Henry, Jr. to be You’ve seen a lot, but honored by community he helped build looked at nothing You have seen many things, but you do not observe them; your ears are open, but none hears. Isaiah 42:20

By Audrey Peterman Levi Henry, Jr. is a legend in his own time. Still unbowed in his early 80s, the charismatic leader with the dazzling smile helped to seed many of the advancements enjoyed by Broward County’s Black community today. With a passion for “liberty and justice for all,” he simultaneously helped make the County a better place to live and a desirable destination for countless millions of visitors from around the world over many years.

With his trademark 10gallon hat, western belt buckle and cowboy boots, Levi could literally have ridden into Broward County wearing the white hat of the good guy when he arrived in 1956. The appalling disparity he saw between the way the white community was living and the way the Black community was living gave him plenty of battles to fight.

The 2016 Inaugural Levi Henry, Jr. White Hat Award will be presented to Mr. Henry and several honorees at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, beginning at 4 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Westside Gazette newspaper celebrating its 45th anniversary and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward in its 39th year. Mr. Henry was instrumental in the creation of both.

(Cont'd on Page 3)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. The past few weeks have been eye opening experiences for some and blinding ones for others. Our prayers are extended to ALL those who have been touched by the actions and the tormented expressions of the hurt felt when there seems to be no way out and no love for the unjustly treated seen through the eyes of the hopeless.

When those who put on the uniforms to protect and to serve become victims of behaviors that have gone unchecked and unnoticed succumb to the feelings of those who have been regulated to invisibility, society is weakened. The outcome of such belief is shown in the faces of the families of both the victims and the perpetrators, with expressions of disdain, disgust and disbelief.

(Cont'd on Page 5)

Black surgeon who saved cops in Dallas shootings speaks about his own negative police experiences

“I wasn’t looking to do that as a corporation, just benefiting me and my family,” Levi says now. “But I couldn’t get any of the Black people to join up and make it a community business. Everybody was too busy.”

Philando Castile: Five fast facts you need to know 1. He Was a Beloved School Cafeteria Worker Who Snuck Extra Graham Crackers to Children -- Castile worked as a cafeteria supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul. A statement from the school system said Castile was hired in 2002, at age 19, and was promoted to supervisor two years ago.

Officer Montrell Jackson holds his son Mason at a Baton Rouge Police Father's Day event.

Montrell Jackson's FaceBook post message I’m tired physically and emotionally. Disappointed in some family, friends, and officers for some reckless comments but hey what’s in your heart is in your heart. I still love you all because hate takes too much energy but I definitely won’t be looking at you the same. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me or my wife it was needed and much appreciated. I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat. I’ve experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core. When people you know begin to question your integrity you realize they don’t really know you at all. Look at my actions they speak LOUD and CLEAR. (Cont'd on Page 12)

Pleading Our Own Cause

A photo rendition that Philando Castile posted on social media.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

WWW.

Trauma Surgeon Dr. Brian Williams

By Ryan Velez Dr. Brian Williams, a 47year-old trauma surgeon in Dallas, made headlines in the news in the wake of the horrific Dallas shootings last week as one of the physicians who treated the police officers wounded. In addition to treating the officers, he made an emotional and tearful speech during a nationwide broadcast in Parkland.

“This killing, it has to stop.

Black men dying, it has to stop,” Williams said, before denouncing the shooting and saying that it was the duty of people of all races to come together and stop events like this from happening. But even in the midst of this plea, The Daily Mail reports that Williams felt a sense of conflict from his own experiences as a Black man in America, particularly with police.

Many of these experiences, stemming from routine traffic stops, reveal an inherent fear of law enforcement that has developed.

“My experiences they go back decades, one after the other, they become internalized,” he explained.

“And it’s a combination of my own experiences and an oral history I receive from my

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friends and family members that have gone through the same thing, we don’t just make this up, this happens. I remember running a red light when I was in the Air Force. I was in civilian clothes and I was pulled over and the officer made me get out and I was spread-eagle and made to put my hands on the hood of the car.

Most other people just get to sit in their car. I definitely did wrong, but it was a minor traffic thing, it didn’t merit the response.”

Williams explained that these experiences, combined with the wake of police shootings of Black men, made him “fear for his safety.” At the same time, though, he notes that police never used racist or pejorative language towards him, and doesn’t want to blame individual officers, many of whom he considers to be colleagues and friends. Instead, he believes this climate of fear is indicative of a larger problem.

“There are systemic issues of racism that exist in this country that are not being addressed appropriately,” he says. “I don’t know that we can fix everything but we can certainly have an open discussion and acknowledge that, yes this does exist.”

MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

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WH responds to petition to label Black Lives Matter a “terror” group

By Reena Flores After days of violence and heightened racial tensions in the U.S., the White House responded this week to an online petition asking the federal government to formally label the Black Lives Matter movement as a “terror group.”

“Terrorism is defined as ‘the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims,’” read the “We The People” petition, created July 6 on the White House website. “This

definition is the same definition used to declare ISIS and other groups, as terrorist organizations.”

Black Lives Matter, the petition said, “earned this title due to its actions in Ferguson, Baltimore, and even at a Bernie Sanders rally, as well as all over the United States and Canada.” It asked the Pentagon to recognize the group as such “on the grounds of principle, integrity, morality, and safety.”

Because the online document received at least 100,000 signatures — at the time of this reporting, it had garnered over 141,000 names — the White House was automatically prompted to respond.

The “We the People” team noted that “The White House plays no role in designating domestic terror organizations,” nor does the U.S. government “generate a list of domestic terror organizations.”

Woman fr om iconic BLM photo: from ‘W e don’ don’tt have to beg to matter matter’’ ‘We “I’m human,” Ieshia Evans told CBS’ Gayle King.

Ieshia Evans faces down police during a Black Lives Matter rally.

(Jonathan Bachman/ Reuters)

By Zeba Blay, The Huffington Post For Ieshia Evans, there was no hesitation in stepping out onto a Baton Rouge street to confront a row of armed police officers last week. “I needed to see them. I needed to see the officers. I needed to see their faces,” she said.

The 35-year-old is the subject of an image taken at a recent Black Lives Matter protest, in which she stands calmly in a sundress, facing down three riot gear-clad police officers. The image, taken by photographer Jonathan Bachman, has since become an iconic representation of the protests currently sweeping the nation.

On Friday, Evans sat down with Gayle King on “CBS This Morning” to discuss her encounter with police, and why she joined the Black Lives Matter Movement.

“So Ieshia, you walk into the street... And you stand nose to nose [with the police] and you don’t say anything. And what are they saying to you?” King asked Evans in the interview.

“Nothing. It was silence. It was a lot of non-verbal communication,” Evans responded.

According to Evans, she wanted her silence to say: “I’m human. I’m a woman. I’m a mom. I’m a nurse. I could be your nurse. I could be taking care of you. Our children could be friends. We all matter. We don’t have to beg to matter. We do matter.”

Evans was arrested after her encounter for refusing to leave an area highway.

“[T]herefore,” the response read, “we are not able to address the formal request of your petition.”

The White House then went further: Acknowledging that it was a “difficult time” for the country — and that the debate remains a “charged” one — the statement additionally prompted petition signers to consider President Obama’s words calling for compassion towards the movement.

“I think it’s important for us to also understand that the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ simply refers to the notion that there’s a specific vulnerability for African Americans that needs to be addressed,” the president said last week, talking to a Washington, D.C. gathering of enforcement officials, civil rights leaders, elected officials and other activists on the issue of racial disparities in the criminal justice system. “We shouldn’t get too caught up in this notion that somehow people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow, automatically, antipolice, are trying to only look out for Black lives as opposed to others. I think we have to be careful about playing that game.”

The petition came on the heels of deadly officer-involved shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Falcon Heights, Minn., and after days of Black Lives Matter protests for more police accountability.

On July 7, one day after the petition published online, seven law enforcement officers policing a BLM demonstration in Dallas, Texas were shot and killed in a shower of sniper-like fire. And on Sunday, three more policemen were shot and killed in Baton Rouge.

Black Lives Matter protesters condemned the massacre in Dallas, and prominent members did the same after Sunday’s Baton Rouge shooting of police officers.

One public voice of the movement, DeRay McKesson, urged peace after news of the Louisiana deaths broke.

“I’m waiting for more information like everybody else,” McKesson told the New York Times. “I have more questions than answers.”

“The movement began as a call to end violence,” he said.

“That call remains.”

Errol Barnett contributed to this report.

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July 21 - July 27 , 2016 • Page 3

Westside Gazette

Faces of the five police officers killed by the sniper in Dallas A newlywed and a Navy veteran of three tours in Iraq were among the five Dallas police officers killed in a sniper ambush recently. The victims were identified by officials, relatives and the media as Dallas Police Department officers Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, Officer Michael Krol, Sgt. Michael J. Smith, Officer Patrick Zamarripa, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) police officer Brent Thompson.

Seven other police officers and two civilians were wounded in the shooting at the end of a protest over this week’s killing of two Black men by police in Baton Rouge, La., and a suburb of St. Paul, Minn. The Dallas shooter was a U.S. Army reservist who served in Afghanistan.

Transit Police Officer Brent Thompson, 43, worked for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system since 2009 and was the first officer killed in the line of duty since the transit system formed a police department in 1989, DART.

Thompson spent more than four years in Iraq, working for private U.S. military contractor DynCorp International as a police liaison officer who supervised Americans training and mentoring the Iraqi police force, according to his LinkedIn profile. Thompson got married to a fellow DART officer only two weeks ago. Thompson was also a father and a grandfather from a previous marriage.

Patrick Zamarripa - Navy veteran Patrick Zamarripa, 32, served three tours in Iraq and was killed in the attack, his family told Reuters. He served in the military reserves as well as working as a Dallas policeman.

His uncle, Hector Zamarripa, said by telephone that Zamarripa was a proud Mexican-American who leaves behind a wife, their toddler-age daughter and a stepson.Although he did not speak much Spanish, he went by the name Patricio among his Spanish-speaking friends and relatives.

Michael Krol - Michael Krol,

a 40-year-old officer with the Dallas Police Department, was killed, according to a statement from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan, where Krol worked as a deputy in the jails from 2003 to 2007. “We are saddened by the loss of the dedicated officers in Dallas one of whom was a former member of this agency - and also the wounding of the other officers,” Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said in the statement.

Lorne Ahrens - Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens, a 14-year veteran with the Dallas police, was one of those killed, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Ahrens, a 48-year-old California native, was married to a Dallas police detective and had two children, ages 10 and eight, the newspaper reported.

Michael Smith, 55, also died in the attack. He served in the military as an Army Ranger before joining the Dallas police in 1989. His family said he left behind a wife of 17 years and two daughters, ages nine and 14.

‘White Hat Warrior’ Levi Henry, Jr. to be honored by community he helped build (Cont'd from FP) Mr. Henry’s lifetime of contributions to Broward County and South Florida are the stuff from which a western movie could easily be made. His swagger and insistence on the Black community being treated with respect frequently brought him up against the white power structure in the county from the mid-70s.

His primary tool to help accomplish human rights and economic parity was the Westside Gazette newspaper, which he established in 1971. Rumor has it that when he asked the local white newspaper to retract an error they’d printed about him, they refused. So Levi started his own newspaper utilizing his sales and reporting talent, the editorial skills of his wife Yvonne, and the talents of his extended family. Focusing on positive developments in the Black community from Broward to Miami Dade, the Gazette forged a niche and became the paper of record for that population. It has appeared continuously every Thursday since 1971.

“I wasn’t looking to do that as a corporation, just benefiting me and my family,” Levi says now. “But I couldn’t get any of the Black people to join up and make it a community business.

Everybody was too busy.”

As healthy red blood cells oxygenate the body and bring life, the Gazette became a community empowerment organization, pumping the needs of Black lives into issues of business, politics and philanthropy.

One early result was the formation of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward County.

“Because I had the newspaper, people started coming to me and telling me their stories,” he recalls. “A lady came and told me that she had a child with sickle cell anemia, and how expensive the medication was.

She wanted me to let people know about the disease, and if we could help her pay for the medication.”

They didn’t know it at the time, but the inherited disease destroys red blood cells, is extremely painful and debilitating and more than 70,000 people in our country suffer from it. Levi says he and his Yvonne, (now deceased) editor of the Gazette, joined with their new friends Frank Peterman and his then-wife Cheryl, who’d recently moved to the area and were looking for opportunities to help make things better.

“There were several others involved, including Dr. Astrid Mack. We went to his office and decided what we’d do. We formed the organization and we kept publishing about it to get more knowledge into the community.”

To date, the association has served thousands of patients

Levi and Yvonne Henry, founders and families giving them mental, emotional, physical and financial support.

Levi was just beginning.

With the Gazette as the concerted voice of the Black community, he began to publicize the need for change.

“I just could not stand the way they were treating Black people,” he recalls. “I had to do something about it.”

The stories in the Gazette attracted the attention of local white press and television. With the paper distributed at City Hall and through the business community in Fort Lauderdale, Levi recalls a TV reporter asking in a commission meeting, “‘Do you think his paper has any power?’ This commissioner said, ‘No, not really.’

“So I thought, ‘I’ll show you.’

And he didn’t get re-elected the next time.”

In the ‘80s when a young Black schoolgirl asked Fort Lauderdale Mayor Bob Cox what it took to become mayor and he told her you only had to be “free, white and 21,” Levi suggested that the mayor pack his bags.

“I told him we were not going to need him any longer. He didn’t get re-elected the next season.”

The story he printed went around the country and attracted the notice of the federal government, he says.

“Local TV and the papers came down on me, but I had the evidence because the custodian at the School Board brought the tape to me of the mayor saying that. My lawyer, Henry Latimer, kept me safe. In those days Alcee Hastings (now a longtime Congressman) was writing a column for the paper called, ‘Liberty and Justice for All.’ And I was part of the wade-in on Fort Lauderdale Beach to desegregate the ocean.

We were all determined to improve conditions in our community.

“We helped start the Police Community Relations Board and there was a police substation on Sistrunk Boulevard, right in the heart of the community. That way, people could go in and talk to the police, air their concerns without having to go to the jailhouse. It was a two-way communication that helped keep the peace, because everybody could feel that they had a place to express themselves and they were being heard. We need innovative solutions today and we need triedand-true solutions like that.”

With a myriad of other accomplishments behind him, Mr. Henry says that visiting Fort Lauderdale from the estate he retired to in North Carolina gives him a lot of pleasure.

“Just driving around, looking at the difference and the places where I had an influence is a really nice feeling,” he says.

Parting words of wisdom from the White Hat Warrior?

“If we stopped saying, ‘I got mine. Now go get yours!’ If we start helping each other, especially helping young people understand the system. Young people think ‘If you hit me, I’m going to hit you back.’ None of us is perfect, but we would be so much better if we had a relationship with each other.”

The Awards event will be keynoted by the internationally renowned human rights champion, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis. Tickets are $45 PER PERSON. TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO: The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward, P. O. Box 8535, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33311. For tickets and more information call Sickle Cell Disease Association (954) 524-4920 or contact the Westside Gazette, 545 N.W. Seventh Terr., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33311 (954) 525-1489.

Officer Michael Krol, Sgt. Michael Smith, Officer Patrick Zamarripa, Police Officer Brent Thompson and Dallas Police Department officers Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens.

Gavin Eugene Long has been identified as the shooter who killed three Baton Rouge police officers The shooter who killed three Baton Rouge police officers has been identified as Gavin Eugene Long. The 29-year-old was a retired Marine and Iraq War veteran.

Authorities sought to learn more about a decorated ex-U.S. Marine sergeant who killed three police officers in Baton Rouge, some two weeks after police there shot dead a Black man, sparking nationwide protests including one shattered by the massacre of five Dallas policemen.

According to the Pentagon, Long served in the Marines from 2005 until 2010, achieving the rank of sergeant. A data network specialist, he was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 until January 2009, earning several medals and commendations.

Authorities declined to offer a possible motive for the attack in Louisiana’s capital, a city with a long history of distrust between African-Americans and law enforcement, which was inflamed by Sterling’s death.

Social media postings linked to an individual named Gavin Long and a Kansas City address

East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola was killed in the shootout along with Baton Rouge Police Officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald.

(AP) cordoned off by police included a July 10 YouTube video saying he was fed up with mistreatment of Blacks and suggesting only violence and financial pressure would bring change.

He also said he was speaking from Dallas after going there to protest.

“It’s only fighting back or money. That’s all they care about,” he said to the camera.

“Revenue and blood, revenue and blood, revenue and blood.”

In a separate video, he hinted that should “anything happen” to him, he wanted viewers to know he was “not affiliated” with any particular

movement or group.

“I’m affiliated with the spirit of justice, nothing more nothing less,” he said. “I thought my own thoughts, I made my own decisions.”

Galvin Long says in the brief video that, “if anything happens with me – because I’m an alpha male, I stand up, I stand firm and I stand for mine til the end, til the last day in this flesh, but I’m not the flesh, I’m not the body, I have a body – but I just want to let ya’ll know, don’t affiliate me with nothing.” He said, “I’m affiliated with the spirit of justice, nothing else.”

Page 4 • July 21 - July 27, 2016

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Community Digest

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Program

Event

JACKSON

CONGRESSWOMAN WILSON Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) and MiamiDade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan will host a sealing and expungement program, Thursday, 21, 2016 at 4 p.m., at Miami Dade College North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27 Ave., Miami Fla., Conference Center, Building 3000, Second Floor, Room 3249. The program is designed to have a single record sealed or expunged for individuals who were charged with a crime in Miami-Dade County that did not resulted in a conviction.

Meet Brenda Jackson: Romance Author, Friday, July 22, 2016 from 2 to 4 p.m., at Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library, 2800 N.W. Ninth Ct., Pompano Beach, Fla. For more info call (954) 3577670.

Retreat

It’s that time of the year again; the event of the summer season-Retreat 2016 on July 28-30, 2016 at Reunion Resort in Orlando. The Retreat theme this year is “Brave”! As women.

Registration open at www.thespiritled.com. Space is limited, you can email spiritled@tlcfl.org or call (954) 533-8023 for more info.

Luncheon

Rally

Youth Rally, You Matter!!! come out and Speak your mind, Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 12 to 4 p.m., at Megaphone 808 N.E. 13 Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Form more info call (954) 652-9513.

Giveaway

The Broward County Section Of National Council of Negro Women, Installation Luncheon, Saturday, July 26, 2016 at 11 a.m., at Inverrary Country Club, 3840 Inverrary Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla. For more info contact Deborah Allen at (954) 515-6020 or Laura Richardson, at (954) 822-0749.

Forum Event Broward County’s 17th Circuit Faith Based Network “2016 Family Conference” on Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Church of God Christian Center, 600 S.W. 27 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., hosted by Pastor Daniels N. Boyd.

Wayne Barton Study Center’s Good News of Christ Ministries, “Free Grocery Give-away Food Distribution”, Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Redeeming Word Christian Center, 2800 W. Prospect Rd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For additional info call (954) 4851435.

A Community Candidates Forum will be held July 25, 2016 from 5 to 8:30 p.m., reception starts at 5 p.m. at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

Fashion Show

Tyler Joy cordially invites you to DopestDenim’s first annual Fashion Show, Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 4 p.m., at 2990 W Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Food, party, free to attend, raffle to RSVP call (954) 864-8438 or (954) 864-8270.

Pleading Our Own Cause STAYCONNECTED-www.thewestsidegazette.com (954) 525-1489

Exhibition

Senior Prom

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale’s permanent collection of African art will be featured in a new exhibition on view Sunday July 24 through Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Opening preview and reception, Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 5-7 p.m., at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, One E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. African Art: Highlights of the Permanent Collection explores the diverse highlights of NSU Art Museum’s collection of traditional art from Sub-Saharan Africa, with an emphasis on the art of West Africa. For additional info call (954) 525-5500.

The Broward Citizens for Seniors (BCFS) citizens in Broward County, presents their signature event, “The Seniors Prom” on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at the Bahia Mar Hotel, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from 5 to 11 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, there are a limited number of tickets available and will be available at Mount Olive Development Corporation (MODCO), 1530 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; visit us on website at BCFSINC.org for updates

Casting Call Edge of Seat Productions presents Cynthia Bell Casting Call: Upcoming Stage Plays, submit resume, references and company affiliations. Please email your headshots, resume and/or demo reel to cynthiabellproductions@gmail.com.

Contact (954) 540-2368.

1st Casting Date: Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 526 N. State Rd. 7, (Dunkin Donuts) shoot locations: TBA/released to those with appointments only 1st Shoot Dates: July 19, 26, August 3, 18, 23, 2016. Shoot location, South Florida: NonUnion: Type of Com-pensation: (Details discussed at casting) Synopsis: There will be an array of production and tour dates for 2017. **All Character Breakdown (discussed at casting and other DETAILS): Female/18-60 yrs. Male / 21-60 yrs. Children/10-17 yrs. **Only actors and actresses who are serious about their talents and skills. Must be punctual, dramatic and comedic personality is important.

PRAY FOR PEACE

Meeting

Mount Bethel Change Ministries, NA/AA Meeting, Every Friday, at 6:30 p.m., at 901 N.W. 11 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info call (954) 763-5644 or (954) 400-8222.

Leasing/Rental

Leasing/Rental Space now available at Midtown Commerce Center affordable executive office leasing and rental opportunities are now available at Fort Lauderdale’s Midtown Commerce Center. The Midtown is located at 1033 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info visit dickeyinc.com or call (954) 467-6822. You can also follow us @Midtown6 on IG, @themidtownmcc on Twitter and Facebook.

Cookout

NAA of Bethune-Cookman University Broward County, Wildcat Sandoff and Cookout, Saturday, July 30, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Snyder Park, 3299 S.W. Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Pavilion #6. There is a charge for adult and children over 10.

NOTARY PUBLIC ON PREMISES 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Monday Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more info call (954) 525-1489

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. For more info call (954) 357-6210.

July 2016 Program Highlights “Celebrating the South Florida Book Festival” Prearranged Group Tours Available during library hours.

Call (954) 357-6224. * Friday, July 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. “Evening with the Stars,” glamorous South Florida Book Festival event, age 21up. Ticket can be purchased at the door. * Saturday, July 23 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Uncovering Your Roots workshop. * Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

South Florida Book Festival.

The Women Entrepreneurs panel featuring Melba Wilson and Miko Branch. You can purchase ticket advance or at the door. * Monday, July 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. “So You Want to Start a Business.” For more info call (954) 714-6607. * Monday, July 25 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Discover Space: 16 new planet stamps presented

by Fort Lauderdale postmaster. * Wednesday, July 27 from 5 to 7:45 p.m. U.S. Peace Corps recruiter visit.

Youth Services (954) 3576209 For more infor on children and teen programming, call the Youth Services desk at (954) 357-6209. * Monday - Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. Only homework and educational games are allowed on Children’s and Teens’ computers during homework hours. * Saturday Morning Matinee, ages up to 12. Enjoy a family movie with popcorn! Call Youth Services for a listing of movies, (954) 357-6209. * Saturdays, July 23, 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday Afternoon Animania! Teen program, ages 12-18. Come eat popcorn and watch an anime movie! Call Youth Services for a listing of movies, (954) 357-6209. * Tuesdays, 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sidewalk Chalk Art Tuesday. Beautify the library by creating chalk art outside in the fresh air, all ages. * Fridays, July 22, 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday Family Fun Day. Chess and games for all ages. * Saturdays, July 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A Knight with the Queen, free chess lessons, ages 7-80. * Mondays and Tuesdays, July 25, 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Code Fever Boot Camp for teens, ages 12-19. Basic coding and how to convert your ideas into a business. Pre-register at (954) 357-6209. * Mondays, July 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. STEAM Monday, DIY Nail Art. Use newsprint to transfer images to your fingernails, ages 10 and up, preregister at (954) 357-6209. * Thursdays, July 28, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Summer Story time Fun for toddlers 3 to 5years-old. Pre-register at (954) 357-6209.

Pre-registration is required for all classes, call (954) 3576236. 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 check in. **Please bring a storage device (such as thumb drive) if you wish to save your work** The following classes are funded by the Broward Public Library Foundation * Tuesday, July 26 - Computer Literacy I, 10:30am to 12pm ***For additional information for FREE classes being offered at other library locations please call (954) 357-6236 or inquire at the Computer or Reference Information Desk.

Need FREE help with resume writ-ing? Inquire at the Computer or Reference Information Desk***

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July 21 - July 27, 2016 • Page 5

Westside Gazette

Deconstructing R econstruction in the A ftermath of Baton R ouge, Reconstruction Aftermath Rouge, Falcon Heights and Dallas lions of African Americans have righteous resentment about the many micro-aggressions (not to mention murders) that our community experiences. The microaggressions of White skin privilege are minor compared to the macro aggressions of a rogue police officer.

Have any of these people ever read a history book? Do they even understand that if

revenge were a motive, it might have been extracted in 1866, not today?

The process for ending enslavement was imperfect. Too many Southerners cleaved to the notion that people of African descent were inferior, and then they passed laws to enforce unequal status. Jim Crow laws and Black Codes, prohibitions against property ownership

and voting, unequal access to education, not to mention the constant night-riders, the granddaddies of contemporary rogue police forces, all existed to enforce subjugation and fear.

To be sure, we have come a long way since 1865 and since 1876.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

One year since Sandra Bland’s death – has anything changed?

By Kacie Whaley

By Julianne Malveaux (NNPA News Wire Columnist) After Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Falcon Heights, Minnesota there was Dallas, Texas.

After rogue cops unceremoni-

ously killed two Black men, a deranged shooter killed five police officers. The shooter, identified as Micah Johnson, reportedly said that he wanted to kill White police officers. Too many commentators referred to

You’ve seen a lot, but looked at nothing (Cont'd from FP) We have taken a page from Jet magazine to show others how debilitating violence is on both sides of the weapon and how it can spread like wildfire to those who did not initiate it but sat by watching, being mesmerized by its alluring power until it began to burn them and theirs.

The story of Emmett Till (July 25, 1941 – Aug. 28, 1955) was told to the world through Jet magazine and other publications. He was only 14 when he was lynched in Mississippi.

His death was pivotal in igniting the Civil Rights Movement.

As horrible as the crime was, to see the photos of young Emmett Till lying in his coffin was just as shocking.

His mutilated body was laid in an open coffin at the instructions of his mother.

His corpse was recovered but was so disfigured that Mose Wright, Till’s great uncle, could only identify it by an initialed ring. Authorities wanted to bury the body quickly, but Till’s mother, Mamie Bradley, requested it be sent back to Chicago.

After seeing the mutilated remains, she decided to have an open-casket funeral so that all the world could see what racist murderers had done to her only son. Jet, an African American weekly magazine, published a photo of Emmett’s corpse, ghastly yes; however it opened what appeared to be millions of closed eyes.

Less than a few weeks after Emmett’s body was buried, the two accused white men, Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam, went on trial in a segregated courthouse in Sumner, Miss. There were few witnesses besides Mose Wright, who positively identified the defendants as Emmett’s killers. On Sept. 23, the all-white jury deliberated for less than an hour before delivering a verdict of “not guilty,” with the explanation they supposed the state had unsuccessfully demonstrated the identity of the body.

Many people around the country were irritated by the judgement and also by the state’s decision not to indict Milam and Bryant on the separate charge of kidnapping.

The Emmett Till murder trial forced the world to take a closer look at the brutality of Jim Crow segregation in the South which led to the motivation of the African American Civil Rights Movement.

The past actions of a few weeks have reopened the eyes and the wounds of deep rooted hatred and prejudice.

With some similarities of today, there were those who were supposed to have been upholding the law for the equal rights of all and yet they turned a blind eye to justice coupled by outside influences of those in power.

When we sit back and do nothing and just watch how justice becomes ‘just them’, we perpetually paralyze a system that can work into one that only works for those who…

If you can look upon the past few weeks and it does not concern you-then I guess you can’t look towards the future with hope.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.” Ephesians 1:18-19 (NASB) Your eyes are the windows of your soul—“The idea is that when we look into someone’s eyes, we can see their soul—who they really are. But this goes the other way as well: when we look out of our eyes, we are seeing with our souls, but we are seeing through a framework—a window frame, if you will— that limits what we see.”

his middle initial “X.’ in an effort to be more racially provocative.

Too many, like the unrepentant racist and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, used the shooter’s actions to excoriate the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The phrase “Black Lives Matter” is not racist, because it simply reflects our nation’s history. From our founding until today, there have been too many opportunities to legalize the misguided notion that Black lives do not matter. The fact that our Constitution reduces enslaved African Americans into a fraction of a person suggests that Black lives did not matter, at our nation’s founding, as much as White lives did.

The differences in the terms and conditions of indentured servitude for Whites and enslavement for Afrodescendents further cemented the notion that Black lives did not matter as much as white lives did. The persistence of enslavement, and the contradictions that came from the practice of “breeding” (i.e., treating Black people as animals to increase “stock”) heightened contradictions, because the slave owners were selling their children and siblings. What did they think of themselves, if they felt they had to couple with people they found “subhuman?”

Has former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani ever read a history book? Does he understand that if revenge were ever a motive in Black/White interactions it would have been all over but the shouting between 1865 and 1876? Formerly enslaved people were hopeful about emancipation, but caught between hope and despair when Black Codes were imposed, when people were lynched for simply asserting the right to walk on the sidewalk, when soldiers were lynched, in uniform, because they did not defer to fellow citizens. Even though Constitutional amendments were passed to abolish enslavement, rigid Southern attitudes imposed a quasi-enslavement that persisted until the civil rights movement, and White supremacist attitudes that that persist until today.

When our Constitution was written, John Adams lamented that the issue of enslavement was a conundrum that his generation was imposing on subsequent generations. When the 13th Amendment was passed, there was no playbook to detail how our nation would transcend enslavement. We have never taken the time or energy to condemn racist attitudes, assuming they would simply go away. They have not. And mil-

Chicago activists held a candlelight vigil on July 13th to honor the one year anniversary of Sandra Bland’s death.

Over 200 people attended the vigil on Wednesday at the Chicago Federal Plaza to remember the woman who was only 28 years old when she was found dead in a Texas jail cell just three days after being arrested during a traffic stop. The event was held by Women’s All Points Bulletin, a group that supports female victims of police brutality and Black Lives Matter Chicago, according to Daily Mail. Some of Bland’s family members also made an appearance at the event.

“Today is a day of healing and remembering my sister,” said Shante Needham, Bland’s sister. “The protests are great but it’s not always about protesting, so we are going to remember her today.”

Her mother, Geneva Reed Veal, who has been speaking out about her daughter in the media ever since Bland’s death, also attended the vigil. Bland was a Black Lives Matter activist in Chicago. Before her death, she was in the process of moving to Texas, but she was interrupted from starting her new life when Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia pulled her over in Hempstead. Encina became physically aggressive with Bland and arrested her.

Three days later, she was found dead in a Waller County jail cell with a plastic bag allegedly wrapped around her neck. Her death was ruled a suicide, but after the public saw the dashcam footage of the traffic stop, many believed she had been killed. Encina has since been indicted for perjury.

DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Chicago place of worship Bland grew up attending, is planning to hold a vigil during its Sunday services.

Additionally, Bland’s mother will speak at the church on August 13, 2016. The church is

also planning a trip to Texas in November, during which the congregation and church leaders will have a prayer meeting outside of the jail where Bland was detained.

“The African American community cannot be the only ones talking about civil rights and equity,” said DuPage AME Pastor Rev. James Miller. “It’s when white people start talking about it that real action can take place.”

The church is in the process of creating Sandra A. Bland Diversity Institute, a program to train future civil rights leaders.

Page 6 • July 21 - July 27, 2016

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.

“A different kind of division” “… Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.”

(Luke 11:17)

By Rasheed Baaith It is a reality that almost refuses description. Death seems to be everywhere we look in America and the deaths are violent, sudden and horrific. Even more remarkable is the fact that the deaths have divided America in a way never before seen.

America had gotten used to seeing African Americans die violently. Especially at the hands of other African Americans or in the custody of police or under other questionable circumstances. But America has never seen police officers die so violently, so unexpectedly and in such numbers as we have seen in the last two weeks. The tragedies that should have united us in a period of unbiased mourning only divided us more.

We cannot see the common humanity because of looking at skin color or the wearing of a uniform. There are those who feel no matter what the circumstances, the killing of an African American by the police is always justified or even warranted. The people

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who think like that never believe a mistake can be made by anyone wearing a badge and never consider that someone wearing a badge should never have been allowed to wear it in the first place. They believe that the person killed in such a manner deserved to be killed.

Somehow we believe the person has no family, won’t be mourned, did not feel pain or had a last thought.

How lamentable to have that kind of mind set. Even worse, there are those who believe that such shootings or deaths should not be questioned. That to do so is somehow un-American or is agitating an already extremely volatile situation. I think that the most fearful of thinking. It is that kind of thinking that has contributed greatly to what we are presently seeing.

But it’s the same on the other side of the table. There are those who believe that because of wearing a uniform, the person who wears it deserves to be robbed of life. That a target is rightfully placed on their backs. We believe that all cops carry blame.

We place so many different types of blame on those in uniform. We place historical blame, educational blame, societal blame, economic blame, and

Evading the issue which is the cause and effect of police brutality on Blacks

By Dr. P.L. Wright, Ph.D. I am a good listener.

On television the news reporters and the interviewed guests are skiping over, and evading the fact about what started this violence against our police officers. It started after the killing of two more Black unarmed men by a police officer on camera with the assumption that there would not be any accountability by the police officer who did the shooting that killed the unarmed person...

First of all, at 71 years now, I can remember as a 15-year-old child at a school entertainment event, watching the late Jackie Wilson performing at our high school gym.

All of a sudden white police stormed in with dogs barking and jumping up and down in our direction for no apparent reason to date. Currently the only thing we know is it had to be one of their forms of racist activities. As Black children, we have been terrorized over and over again by the police and nothing is ever done to investigate those police for what they did. I truly believe that none of us want our police to be shot at or killed, nor do we want the oppression, profiling and targeting and killing of our Black youth - male and female - by our trusted police officers to continue daily either, thus creating the organization “Black Lives Matter”.

This is the effect of what first caused the terrorizing of our police we are now experiencing. The Blue code of silence should be changed to weed out those criminals acting as police officers who feel they can commit the killing of any Black person and not be held accountable for his or her criminal actions against Black people or anyone. All lives do matter, but in this cause and effect issue case, the killing of Black men and women is the cause and effect, creating other persons who must be angry and sick to create nefarious acts toward our police officers.

Police officers, please make a conscientious effort to end this senseless killing of any Black male or human being by turning in the police officer who is responsible for creating this violence and horrific dilemma.

All you have to do is make yourself and other police officers responsible for weeding out the criminal elements on the police force of whom you are aware of committing these crimes. It will be a good start to end this killing of each other in America. gspinc2006@att.net

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.

more. We do the same to those in uniform we complain about others doing to us: Blaming all of us for the actions of a few of us.

It happens so often we cringe when something happens that is particularly heinous or dreadful. We think to ourselves, “Lord, don’t let them be Black.” I think some police officers may be starting to feel the same way. I’m sure every time they hear of a police shooting, they wonder what led to it and was the shooting truly justified.

So what now? Can America find some common ground? Can the country finally see sameness in each other?

It will be hard. Particularly in light of the Presidential election. On one hand we have Trump and the Republicans with their trickle down racism mentality and on the other we have President Obama and the Democrats with a philosophy of let’s talk once there’s been an explosion. Neither will help heal or close the divide.

Finally there’s this: all of these problems stem from a certain kind of moral behavior or the lack there of. I think Tony Evans said it best, “Gone must be the days of only pointing fingers at others to fix what they may never fix.

Our nation’s ills are not merely the result of corruption or racism, although these are evil. Our troubles can also be traced directly to ineffective Christians. One of the real tragedies today is that the church as a whole has failed to advance God’s kingdom, light, equity, love and principles in our land in order to be a positive influence and impact for good in the midst of darkness, fear and hate.”

Think about it.

Why we can’t get along

By Lee A. Daniels, George Curry Media Columnist “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one Black, one white-separate and unequal ... The alternative is not blind repression or capitulation to lawlessness. It is the realization of common opportunities for all within a single society.”

Those words weren’t written or spoken to describe today’s crisis of race and injustice now being exposed, condemned and lamented in a flood of videos, news articles, opinion columns and polls. They were written a halfcentury ago for the 1968 Kerner Report, the document of the emergency presidential commission that examined the causes of the Black urban rebellions that convulsed American society just at the moment when the Civil Rights Movement had achieved its great national legislative victories from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s.

Of course, the Kerner Report deliberately got the first part of that famous assessment wrong. America was not “moving” toward two societies. It had always been. The so-called “white backlash” that erupted in both the South and the North in the early 1960s and the Black urban rebellions that came later both illuminated how difficult re-constructing American society as one nation “indivisible” still was.

So it remains today when - to cite one relevant example - a Black elementary school supervisor named Philando Castile and a Black United States Senator named Tim Scott shared an experience common to vast numbers of Black Americans: being harassed by White police officers for no reason other than the color of their skin.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The Gantt Report Black skin, white words

By Lucius Gantt

Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly escalated his ongoing attack on the Black Lives Matter Movement by asserting without a hint of evidence that if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive, he would not support the group.

“With all due respect to President Obama, well-meaning activists do not associate themselves with a group that often commits violent acts, and encourages violence through irresponsible rhetoric. Dr. King would not participate in a Black Lives Matter protest,” he said in a Fox News commentary.

First, Black Lives Matter does not, contrary to O’Reilly’s assertion, often commit violent acts or encourage violence through what he characterized as irresponsible rhetoric. He is part of the crowd that thinks the chant of “Black Lives Matter” should be discarded in favor of “All Lives Matters.”

Forever trying to bridge the gap between Blacks and whites, President Obama explained the nuances associated with the phrase.

“I think it’s important for us to also understand that the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ simply refers to the notion that there’s a specific vulnerability for African Americans that needs to be addressed,” he told a gathering of enforcement officials, civil rights leaders, elected officials and activists recently in Washington, D.C. “We shouldn’t get too caught up in this notion that somehow people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow, automatically, anti-police, are trying to only look out for Black lives as opposed to others. I think we have to be careful about playing that game.”

It’s a game O’Reilly plays well, which is why he has the gall to claim that Dr. King would not support the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Credible civil rights leaders strongly disagree.

Many people are celebrating the comments made by professional basketball players, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade, about the state of race relations in America.

The comments were made on a televised sports awards program.

As always, most African American reactions to the athlete’s comments parroted what the major, minor and social media reported about the unexpected spoken words.

“It was good for them to speak out”, “They are showing that Black lives matter and are important” or “It’s their responsibility to say something” are some of the comments listeners and watchers had about their surprise verbal outlet.

Well, the only “responsibility” they have is to do and say what they feel is right. Basketball players, football players, baseball players, golfers, bowlers, sprinters, tennis players and other athletes are free to express themselves, or not express themselves about societal events!

People love that those guys spoke but after the award show some went out and bought expensive “Air Jordans” for themselves or their children, even though Michael Jordan nearly never speaks out about anything!

I can’t complain about anything the four basketball players said. The statements were their thoughts given in their own predictable way!

It is always good to stand up and speak out about bad and heinous activities that take place on the streets of your country or those in your neighborhoods but the people you love will only comment in a manner that is acceptable to devils that inspire and create the bad situations that they comment about!

Don’t get it twisted. It was great for those guys to express their feelings about race related issues but don’t ever go to sleep and dream that their way of speaking out compared to things that Muhammad Ali said or what Ali did!

Ali gave up his championship, gave up his sports earnings, gave up his career and, in a lot of ways, risked his life and definitely his freedom to say what he believed about war, about religion and about race relations!

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

O’Reilly says MLK would not have supported Black Lives Matter

By George E. Curry, George Curry Media Columnist

The PTSD epidemic in our neighborhoods

By Glenn Ellis, George Curry Media Guest Columnist Neighborhoods plagued by gun violence are often compared to war zones.

Whether the comparison is fair or not, the chances that young men who experience trauma in their neighborhood will end up in jail are astronomically high. Studies have shown a high correlation between neighborhood disorder and physical abuse.

According to the National Association for Mental Illness, some 70 percent of youths in state and local juvenile justice facilities suffer from mental health problems, which is part of a broader trend of prisons and jails becoming warehouses for the mentally ill. These youths are in many cases cut off from mental health care and from their communities and families; an untold number will be released back into society as hardened, unstable adults.

Aggravating the crisis in communities, state mental health programs lost more than four billion dollars in funding from fiscal year 2009 to 2012 - a cost passed down to the hospitals and courtrooms that ultimately must absorb the burden.

Studies show about 8 percent of Americans suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. But the rates appear to be much higher in communities, such as poor, largely African American pockets of Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia, where high rates of violent crime have persisted despite a national decline. A growing number of programs treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

in war veterans. But far fewer treat Americans who suffer from the PTSD that comes with their ZIP code.

And this kind of PTSD may be affecting even more people.

PTSD can directly hurt a person’s brain by messing with the amygdala, the part of the brain that triggers a chemical to release to help you decide between “fight or flight” in a threatening situation. If one is exposed to prolonged, repetitive, or extreme trauma, the amygdala stays in alert mode. And the neurons, the pathways to this part of the brain, lose their ability to recover.

A person’s memory becomes corrupted like a bad computer hard drive and it can hurt a person’s ability to separate new experiences and determine whether they are safe or dangerous. The longer a person stays in the hyper-vigilant mode, the greater the chance of permanent damage. In a child, damage can be magnified and lead to problems like dissociative identity disorder.

For most people, untreated PTSD will not lead to violence. But “there’s a subgroup of people who are at risk, in the wrong place, at the wrong time, of reacting in a violent way or an aggressive way, that they might not have if they had had their PTSD treated,” according to Dr. Kerry Ressler, a medical investigator and psychiatrist, who studied this issue extensively.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

This is why ESPN is the Republican Party of sports television

By Raynard Jackson (NNPA News Wire Columnist) I am quite fond of saying about Republicans when it comes to Blacks, “Even when they try to do the right thing, they do it the wrong way.”

In a similar manner, ESPN has become the Republican Party of TV and sports.

Last week they had their annual ESPYs awards show. This is their annual celebration of achievement in the world of sports.

They opened the show trying to do the right thing, but definitely did it the wrong way.

The event opened with four of the top NBA players speaking out against police brutality and gun violence. This was very moving to the extent that you had four of the biggest names in sports taking a public stance on a relevant, social issue, which is very rare for today’s athletes. The players were LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony.

If this was such a good thing, you might be asking, then why am I criticizing the event?

All four of the above players are Black. This issue of police brutality and gun violence is not a “Black” issue, it is an American issue. Whites are

subjected to these issues as well. Good and bad cuts across race and class.

In 2015, the NBA was 74.4 percent Black, 23.3 percent white, 1.8 percent Latino, and .2 percent Asian; this was based on a survey

by Richard Lapchick.

It would have made more sense for ESPN to have players from each of these groups on stage talking about these issues, sending the unmistakable message that this is not just a Black issue, but rather a societal issue.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

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

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

PASTOR WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m.

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

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

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

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

Elevating Word Church 911 N.W. 209 Ave., Suite 122 PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33029 (954) 297-9530 ewc@elevatingwordchurch.org www.elevatingwordchurch.org Sunday Prayer -- 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship -- 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Adult & Youth Bible Study -- 7:30 p.m.

MONTHLY EVENTS *Men’s and Women’s Ministry, *Villa Maria Nursing Home *Food Distribution

Pastor McQuaise & Antoinette Hepburn

“Renewing minds, transforming lives, and impacting the world for Christ.”

July 21 - July 27, 2016 • Page 7

Westside Gazette

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!

St Paul United Methodist Church

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!”

NBA Great Nate Thurmond, Hall of Fame Center, dies at 74

244 S.E. Second Avenue Deerfield Beach, Florida 33341 (954) 427-9407 EMAIL EMAIL:: Stpaulmeth@bellsouth.net WEBSITE WEBSITE:: saintpauldeerfield.com

Rev. Dr. Jimmie L. Brown Senior Pastor

SERVICES

Sunday School .................................................................................... 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship ................................................................................ 11 a.m.

Bible Study (Tuesday) ....................................................... 11 a.m. & 7.p.m.

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

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

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

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

McWhite's Funeral Home BLADES Funeral services for the late Kevin Jones “Gene” Blades 53 were held July15 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Corey Thomas Corey Thomas officiating.

EDWARDS Funeral services for the late Joseph Edwards, Jr were held July 16 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.

PHILLIPS Funeral services for the late Derek E. Phillips were held July 16 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Kim Bryant officiating. Interment: Bailey’s Memorial Gardens.

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 SUNDAY

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.

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

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

Email infor@mthermonftl.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

(712)432-1500 Access Code296233#

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

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES Worship Service ............................................................................................................ 10:15 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Join The Religious Elite In Our Church Directory call us Today -- (954) 525-1489

NESBITT Funeral services for the late Skylar Ta’Liyah Nesbitt 9-daysold were held July 15 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor D. Thomas officiating.

TODD Funeral services for the late Addie Mae Reese Todd – 87 were held July 16 at New Mt. Olive Baptist Church Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Central.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home LEWIS Funeral services for the late Evelyn Jones Lewis – 88 were held July 16 at Harris Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Stanley Melek officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

PRAY FOR PEACE

Kids Talk About God

How does God guide you in making hard decisions?

By Carey Kinsolving and friends “One of the decisions was what kind of ice cream I wanted, strawberry or vanilla,” says Christen, 11.

“That is a hard decision for me.

I really don’t know how God showed me the sign, but I picked strawberry.”

Christen, are you writing from Earth? This sounds like a decision from heaven. If all of life were filled with these kinds of decisions, we would all be happy . . . or look like 300pound blimps.

“God lets the answer come to me, and I got something for it like an A+,” says Lauren, 7.

Some of my most fervent praying occurred before big tests in two graduate programs.

Amazingly, I found that the answers to those prayers were closely associated with the amount of study I had done.

“God helps me make hard decisions by talking to me through prayer,” says Sarah, 11. “He talks to me through actions and consequences. He helps me through my parents, my friends and my teachers.

He helps me every day in hard and easy decisions. I know I can go to him whenever I need help.”

Sarah shows us that God leads in a variety of ways. Sensitive Christians look for clues along life’s journey. God is always at work around us. We should pray that our eyes will be open to what he is doing.

Sarah says God talks to her in prayer. At one level of prayer, we speak to God. At another, God speaks to us. The Bible contains many examples of God’s audible voice breaking into conversations, but this is the exception rather than the rule. God usually speaks through a quiet mind informed by the Word of God filled with the Holy Spirit.

The deepest level of prayer is communion with God. Jesus always knew what to do and say because he stayed in constant conversation with his Father. Many times, he retired from the demands of ministry to pray in remote places.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

THURMOND SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nate Thurmond, the tenacious defensive center who played with Wilt Chamberlain and was an iconic figure in two cities, died Saturday after a short bat-tle with leukemia. He was 74.

The Golden State Warriors announced the death of one of the team’s most respected players less than a month after they lost the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. Both franchises previously retired the Akron, Ohio, native’s No. 42.

Thurmond played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Warriors and retired after the 1976-1977 season, one year after leading the “Miracle” Cavaliers to an improbable trip to the Eastern Conference finals.

“Without a doubt, he is one of the most beloved figures to ever wear a Warriors uniform,” Golden State owner Joe Lacob said.

Current Cavalier and Akron native LeBron James said on Twitter: “Knowing u played in the same rec league as me growing up gave me hope of making it out! Thanks!”

The 6-foot-11 Thurmond was voted as one of the best 50 players in NBA history and is considered among the most dominating centers in the game. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.

“Nate Thurmond was a giant of his era and one of the greatest players in the history

of our game,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Thurmond’s play and numbers weren’t flashy, but he earned the respect of his peers and knowledgeable basketball fans for his consistency, defense and strength.

“Looking back, he was as ferocious as any player in the history of the game on the court, but one of the kindest and nicest souls in his everyday life,” former teammate and coach Al Attles said.

Thurmond recorded the first official quadruple-double in NBA history as a Chicago Bull when he had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots against the Atlanta Hawks in 1974. He is one of only four players to grab more than 40 rebounds in a game.

Thurmond starred at Bowling Green, averaging 17.8 points and 17.0 rebounds in three seasons. He was selected third overall by the Warriors in the 1963 draft.

Thurmond apprenticed under Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain until the Warriors traded Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers in the middle of the 1964-65 season.

Thurmond went on to average 15 points and 15 rebounds during his career and still holds the Warriors franchise records for career rebounds and minutes.

(Cont'f on Page 10)

Page 8 • July 21- July 27, 2016

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We are no different from you our readers. We have been grappling with emotions, engaged in conversations, and reflecting on our role – and the role of the nonprofit sector – during these times of protest and grief. With this column we share a few of the questions on Pearl and Mel Shaw our mind. We don’t have the answers, but we know the answers lie within our hearts and minds, and within the work we engaged in over the years to help create justice and equity. As a sector we have been engaged in advocacy, research, and direct service. We have proposals for how to move forward, and are ready to partner with city, state and federal leaders to address policies and biases.

At the same time, we know that all of us are part of this American conversation. No answers are written in stone. We must proceed with open minds and hearts, putting forth our solutions, and simultaneously questioning ourselves. Here are a few things we have been questioning.

Do we need to examine our mission, goals and priorities? What are we doing to educate others about the needs within our community? How are we inviting diverse groups to hear our case and offer solutions? Are we open to diverse leadership on our boards and management teams? Are we serving the total community, or a segment of the community?

Are we taking optimum advantage of our resources and those we have access to? If increased resources are directed to our nonprofits, how are we prepared to use these? Do we have plans that effectively speak to the needs of our young people? Do we have projected outcomes and measurements? Do we know how to ask for help to build our infrastructure so we can truly make an impact?

Can we stand up to scrutiny and transparency as we build trust and support? Are we open to collaboration and partnerships to best serve the total community by sharing resources and skills with others?

History has shown that when America faces these types of crises, the nonprofit sector has been a platform for making the case and finding solutions. Because of our history, commitment and compassion, nonprofits can serve as the sanity and the bridge to bring together all segments to best serve the community. Are we up to the task? Are we ready to offer specific solutions?

As African Americans we can educate and invite others to join us in the work we have been engaged in for years. We can reach out to those who may be reluctant to use our services or accept our leadership because we are African American. We can let people know we are ready to link arms and to lead.

As people who are not African American we can reach out to African American leaders and learn from their experience in the realms of social justice, economic development, education, and job training.

The bottom line: Nonprofit leaders can provide solutions.

Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of Prerequisites for Fundraising Success available on Amazom.com. For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call((901) 522-8727.

PRAY FOR PEACE

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July 21 - July 27 , 2016 • Page 9

Westside Gazette

National Medical Association Statement on Police Use of Force

SILVER SPRING, MD — The National Medical Association (NMA), representing over 50,000 predominantly

African American physicians nationally, are deeply concerned by the recent and past incidents of Police Use of Lethal

Force in the execution of their duties. The NMA is cognitive of the tremendous contributions of law enforcement officers in preserving communities at great personal sacrifice as well as exposing themselves on a daily basis to potential danger and life threatening situations.

In addition, the NMA decries the violence against police officers and calls for the end of criminal and amoral attacks on police, as exemplified by the recent shooting deaths of Baton Rouge and Dallas law enforcement officers.

The NMA calls for measures that will deflect both of these forms of violence and end the cycle of violence between the police and the communities they are duty-bound to protect and

Baltimore police lieutenant acquitted in Freddie Gray death Brian Rice, 42, is the highest-ranking officer charged in Gray’s death from a broken neck suffered in a police transport van.

By Donna Owens BALTIMORE, MD (Reuters) - A Maryland judge on Monday acquitted Baltimore police Lieutenant Brian Rice of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office for the April 2015 death of Black detainee Freddie Gray.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams handed down his verdict after a bench trial. Rice, 42, is the highestranking officer charged in Gray’s death from a broken neck suffered in a police transport van.

Gray’s death triggered protests and rioting in the mainly Black city and stoked a national debate about how police treat minorities. The controversy flared anew this month with the deaths of African-American men at the hands of police in Minnesota and Louisiana.

Monday’s verdict is the latest setback for prosecutors, who have failed to secure a conviction in the trials of four officers thus far.

Rice, who is white, ordered two officers on bicycle to chase Gray, 25, when he fled unprovoked in a high-crime area.

Prosecutors said Rice was

negligent in shackling Gray’s legs and not securing him in a seat belt, as required by department protocol.

But defense lawyers said Rice was allowed leeway on whether to get inside a van to secure a prisoner. The officer made a correct decision in a few seconds while Gray was being combative and a hostile crowd was looking on, they said.

Williams, who heard the case without a jury at Rice’s request, said prosecutors failed to show the lieutenant was aware of a departmental policy requiring seat belts for prisoners during transport.

“The state did not prove the defendant was aware of the new policy,” the judge said in court.

Only a handful of protesters were at the courthouse for the verdict’s announcement.

Williams previously acquitted Officers Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson Jr., the van’s driver. A third officer, William Porter, faces a retrial after a jury deadlocked.

(Writing by Ian Simpson in Washington and Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Jeffrey Benkoe)

Philando Castile: Five fast facts you need to know

Left: Philando Castile (FaceBook photo). Right: FaceBook Live video screen capture of Castile after being shot by police.

(Cont'd from FP) The statement described him as a “team player who maintained great relationships with staff and students alike” and said he was “quick to greet former coworkers with a smile and hug.” The statement included this glowing assessment from a co-worker: “Kids loved him. He was smart, over-qualified. He was quiet, respectful, and kind.

I knew him as warm and funny; he called me his ‘wing man’."

2. He Was a Straight-A Student in High School, Family Says & Had Only a Minor Criminal Record -- Philando’s cousin, Antonio Johnson, 31, told the Star-Tribune that Philando was an honors student at St. Paul Central High School, “where he was a straight-A student.” He called Castile “very non-confronta-

tional.” Some of his friends called him “Doc.” 3. He Frequently Posted About Social Justice Causes, & His Sister Posted About Alton Sterling Just Hours Before Castile’s Death -- On social media, Philando Castile frequently made comments about social justice. On his FaceBook page, he posted a photo of the Black Panther Movement and wrote, “BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!” In another post, he passed on a Tupac Shakur quote, “They got money for wars but can’t feed the poor.”

He also wrote: “GOD IS GOOD!!!!………ALL THE TIME!!!!!!” In another post he said, “They criminalize the Black lifestyle!!!!” This is a reoccurring theme in his writings: “We still slaves to the system!!!!!!”

4. Castile Had a Gun Permit, to His Girlfriend & a Major Newspaper & Informed the Officer That He Was Armed -- In her FaceBook Live video, Lavish Reynolds said that Philando Castile was “licensed to carry” and was “trying to get out his ID” and “let the officer know he had a firearm, and he was reaching for his wallet, and the officer just shot him. … He just shot his arm off.”

5. Protests Erupted in the Wake of the Shooting & the Governor Called for a Federal Investigation -- Shortly after the shooting, protests erupted outside the governor’s mansion, where people strung yellow police tape over the gate.

Governor Mark Dayton later released a statement calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

serve. The NMA believes that violence, in particular the use of force by law enforcement, is a public health issue that disparately affects African Americans and communities of color as well as other vulnerable populations such as the homeless, the mentally ill, those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the poor and teenagers. In 2015 the NMA House of Delegates passed a resolution on Lethal and SubLethal Injury Resulting from Law Enforcement Altercations. This resolution calls for the uniformity of training of law enforcement as well as the uniformity of tracking and reporting deaths in custody.

Over the last two years the public has been made acutely aware of police actions which have resulted in the unjustified killing of innocent unarmed African American men. Though Philando Castile and Alton Sterling are the most recent victims to perish as a result of the actions of police officers, they are unfortunately on a long and growing list of citizens to suffer this fate. The NMA deplores this unjustified use of excessive and often lethal force. Now the NMA announces the development of the Working Group on

Gun Violence and Police Use of Force dedicated to establishing recommendations for comprehensive public health and criminal justice reform. This working group will set a clear violence prevention public health agenda for America while advocating for sensible gun reform.

The work product will be geared towards decreasing the morbidity and mortality disparities associated with violence and police use of force within our communities. We, as African American physicians, reject the notion that our communities must be policed in a way that results in increased injury, deaths and incarceration of so many of our patients. It is clear that instances of inappropriate force by police can lead to significant injury. The injuries associated with police use of force occur during the: 1. Pre-custody period (commission of a crime, during a fight, chase, and apprehension, during a siege or hostage situation, or during restraint or submission) 2. In custody period (soon after being admitted to jail, during interrogation, during incarceration, or legal execution) AND:

3. Post-custody period (revenge by police or rival criminals or after reentry into the community). Injuries sustained by civilians at the hands of law enforcement include gunshot wounds, skull fractures, cervical spine injuries, facial fractures, broken legs, blunt trauma orbital floor fractures, laryngeal cartilage fractures, shoulder dislocations, cuts and bruises, concussions, hemorrhage, choking (positional or due to upper body holds), abdominal trauma, hemothorax, and pneumothorax.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Correction In last week’s edition, the headlineon front page in top box title which read The False Dictionary Between Supporting Police Or Legitimate Protest PAGE 6 should have read The False Dichotomy Between Supporting Police Or Legitimate Protest

Page 10 • July 21- July 27, 2016

#BlackGirlMagic: Simone Biles & Gabby Douglas Named To U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team

These talented Black girls are headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they will compete against the world’s finest gymnasts on an all-star team.

By Jazmine Pendleton Simone Biles will make her Olympic debut with vet Gabby Douglas on the 2016 U.S. gymnastics team.

These talented Black girls are headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they will compete against the world’s finest gymnasts on an all-star team.

During the Olympic trials, Biles was a standout, earning the only automatic qualification spot, according to Team USA. Douglas has already made history at the games as the first U.S. athlete to win both team and all-around gold medals.

She told the site she is bringing the same amount of concentration and focus to her second stint at the games: “I am

definitely tuning out the world.

I haven’t been on social media since P&Gs. I haven’t posted anything. Even if you see those posts, it’s not me. Someone does sponsored-posts for me. I’ve been in my own bubble.”

As a crowning jewel to her summer at the games, Douglas just got her own Barbie doll.

Along with other sheroes, Ava DuVernay and Misty Copeland, the 20-year-old has a little Olympic mini-me.

“I’m so excited,” Douglas told People. “My older sister and I used to play with Barbies and create these dramatic fantasy stories, so it’s such a huge honor.”

We wish the entire Team USA luck as they represent American athleticism on the global stage.

NBA Great Nate Thurmond, Hall of Fame Center, dies at 74 (Cont'd from Page 7) “We have lost an incredible person and someone whom I admired as much as any player I ever went to battle against on any level,” Hall of Famer Jerry West said. “Nate Thurmond was, without a doubt, one of the fiercest competitors that I played against during my entire career. He played with unbelievable intensity and was simply a man among boys on most nights, especially on the defensive end.”

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.

July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016

The Warriors traded Thurmond to the Bulls prior to the 1974-75 season. The Bulls dealt him after 13 games the next season to his hometown Cavaliers, where he closed out his career in style.

He played a key role in the Cavaliers’ most memorable season before James. They beat the Washington Bullets in seven games to get to the 1976 Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in six games, but Thurmond’s leadership that season made him a local legend.

Cleveland teammate Campy Russell said Saturday that “the Cavaliers franchise will always love and respect him as a true Cavalier legend.”

Though he played less than two seasons for the Cavaliers at the end of his career, his jersey number was the first retired by the team.

After the seven-time All-Star selection retired, he worked for the Warriors as a community liaison and broadcast analyst until his illness sidelined him earlier this year.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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July 21 - July 27 , 2016 • Page 11

Westside Gazette

Hundreds mourn Alton Sterling at Baton Rouge funeral; Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton call for peace and justice

By Megan Brady-Perry, Nancy Dillon, New York Daily News The hands that were empty when he was shot dead by two white police officers last week were gently clasped together in his open casket Friday.

Alton Sterling was laid to rest at an emotional funeral service at Southern University

in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Hundreds of mourners filed past his gleaming silver casket and paid their respects to the Black father of five who was pinned to the pavement outside the Triple S convenience store just a few miles away and pumped with bullets at point blank range July 5.

Sterling’s caught-on-video death along with the fatal police

shooting of Philando Castile in Minnesota a day later ignited widespread outrage and protests over the treatment of Blacks by police.

Triple S owner Abdullah Muflahi spoke to the crowd Friday, recalling the friend he called “Big Boy” and watched die.

“He showed me a lot of love.

He looked out for me. He was friendly, welcoming. He was truly the meaning of southern hospitality,” Muflahi said.

“He made himself a place in everyone’s heart, whether they was young, old. I know this because he made himself a place in mine. It’s just sad to see that we’re going to have an empty spot in front of the store. I’m gonna miss how we used to joke, how we used to make fun of each other.”

He then quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying “‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.’ Let’s all love like Alton did.”

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson also spoke at the service, praising the Sterling family for their resolve to seek justice while calling for peace and unity.

“Despite the fact that a grave injustice has happened, you

Sandra, an aunt who helped raise Alton Sterling, sobs as she is helped away.

Authorities detail chilling tactics of Baton Rouge shooter Gavin Long, who was killed by SWAT team from 100 yards away: ‘It was a hell of a shot’ A mourner wearing a sign visits the body of Alton Sterling at the F.G. Clark Activity Center in Baton Rouge, La., Friday, July 15, 2016. Sterling was shot July 5 outside a Baton Rouge convenience store in an encounter with police.

(AP Photo/Max Becherer)

Gavin Long moved “tactically” as he killed police officers, authorities said.

(Louisiana State Police) The Baton Rouge shooter was armed to the teeth and “extremely accurate” in his ambush that killed three cops and wounded three more.

Gavin Long, 29, executed three cops in cold blood before being gunned down by a sharpshooting member of the Baton Rouge Police Department SWAT team that took him out from 100 yards away.

The chilling sequence of events began when Long, a former Marine from Kansas City,

Mo., closed in on a car wash, seeking to sneak up on a police officer.

“He came in here from somewhere else to do harm to our community, and specifically to our law enforcement community,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said.

As Long snuck around, using “tactical” movements reflecting his training as a Marine, he ignored civilians, Col. Mike Edmonson, of the Louisiana State Police said.

One of those witnesses called 911, telling the operator of “a dude with a rifle.”

That call lead to the bloody confrontation with cops that Long was after.

At a convenience store near the car wash, Long opened fire on two Baton Rouge police officers and one East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy using an IWR Tavor SAR 5.56 rifle with a shoulder strap.

“Clearly he was in shape,” Edmonson said.

“He was articulate in all manners of engagement.”

have held your heads high with great dignity and with a example of what this nation should be. But let us not beat around the bush. This is wrong,” Sharpton said.

“I don’t care how saved you are, how holy you are, wrong is wrong. And some of us are so busy to get past this (but) you can’t get past it until you deal with it. Wrong must be corrected and the wrong must be held accountable,” he said.

Sharpton invoked the memories of other Black men killed in confrontations with police, including Eric Garner, the 43-year-old Staten Island dad who died in a cop’s chokehold two years ago.

“We have got to stop going from funeral to funeral, and America needs to deal when wrong is wrong, and whoever does the wrong needs to pay the price for doing wrong,” he said.

“We’re not anti-police, we’re anti-wrong,” Sharpton said.

“It’s wicked to just let a string of killings go and nobody pays.”

Jackson referenced the shooting of five white police officers in Dallas last week by

Micah Johnson and said the lone Black gunman didn’t represent the views of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

“The young man who killed the police in Texas should not have done it. He was not trained

by Black Lives Matter. He came out of the military,” Jackson said, referring to Johnson’s Army tour in Afghanistan.

He called the heartbreaking violence last week a “wake-up call.”

“This young man that did the killing in Texas was a product of our sickness,” he said.

“The blood flowing in our streets is so devastating, it makes strong men and women cry, it mobilizes a nation. Three acts of violence did what 10,000 sermons could not do - make us look at the mirror, and we don’t like what we see.”

He asked Americans to reach out to one another and seek understanding.

“We must choose bridges over walls. Walls divide, bridges connect,” Jackson said. “We apologize, Alton, we could have done better when you were alive.”

Sterling was selling CDs outside the convenience store

around midnight July 5 when a homeless man called 911 and said Sterling was carrying a gun.

Video of the police shooting captured startling images of the incident and its aftermath, with blood pouring from Sterling’s chest and his hands empty.

“While he was laying there dying, the cop went inside his pocket to pull the gun out,” Muflahi previously told the media.

“His hand was not in his pocket, nor did he have the gun in his hand.”

Sterling’s death heightened tensions in the city along the Mississippi River, where about 200 protesters were arrested over the weekend.

Sterling’s 15-year-old son Cameron pleaded for peace Wednesday, asking people to act “as one united family.”

“You can protest, but I want everyone to protest the right way. With peace. No violence none whatsoever,” the teen said just steps from where his dad lost his life.

“I truly feel that my father was a good man, and he will always be a good man,” he said.

“I feel that people in general should come together as one united family.” ndillon@nydailynews.com

Page 12 • July 21 - July 27, 2016

Westside Gazette

We who believe in freedom cannot rest

By Mary Beth Maxwell, Senior Vice President for Programs, Research and Training at the Human Rights Campaign I am still reeling from the violence and tragedy of last week and I expect you are as well. From Orlando to Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, to Dallas, Turkey and now Nice, violence seems to be everywhere and the constant stream seems almost built to keep us from having long-overdue and needed conversations about how best to identify solutions, move forward and stop the killings from continuing. For the United States, the unfortunate reality remains that police-involved deaths of Black citizens are a crisis for our communities.

I have been pushing myself to figure out what to do. I haven’t landed on the full answer yet, but I am certain that all of us must take consequential actions that speak to the seriousness of our current crisis. We cannot allow the burden of explaining, protesting and mourning to rest only on the shoulders of African-Americans and other people of color.

I expect a lot of white people are afraid of saying the wrong

thing. I have often said the wrong thing and it is embarrassing and awkward to make a mistake that offends a co-worker or friend. But we need to compare the fear of making a mistake to the fear of your son being violently taken from you in a second because he was a Black kid in the “wrong” place at the “wrong” time. Or, the fear that the deafening silence of white people means that we do not care, that we do not understand this as a crisis for all of us to address.

A good place for us to start is by building empathy. Imagine your own son being pulled over for a traffic violation and getting shot, bleeding to death in his car. Or, envision your own teenager hunted down for walking the street while wearing a hoodie. Imagine your grief and outrage as the authorities call you.

Really try it — I am not being rhetorical.

Empathy requires stretching outside of our own personal experience. I grew up like many white people do in majority white schools, neighborhoods — I am so familiar with how separate we can be from the reality of others. And yet, I live now in this world as the mother of an African-American son,

Montrell Jackson's FaceBook post message (Cont'd from FP) Finally I personally want to send prayers out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy.

These are trying times. Please don’t let hate infect your heart.

This city MUST and WILL get better. I’m working in these streets, so any protesters, officers, friends, family, or who-

ever, if you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer. I got you.

which makes these countless murders of young Black men all too real. I shudder as I see the news and imagine him being next. This is one reason I join in saying “Black Lives Matter” — because our sons and brothers and friends are truly precious to us, but their lives are simply not valued enough by some fellow human beings who fail to see this as a crisis: to admit they live in real danger. I want my beautiful son to grow up safe and be able to be his own full self. My son cannot risk doing some of the foolish things I did when I was fifteen; the world is seriously, genuinely different for him because he is Black.

At the same time, I also wept for the Dallas police and their families, even though I don’t have any police officers in my family. I ache for their co-workers who are mourning them while also going back to work a dangerous job knowing what a messed up system we have. I have no personal experience of their lives but I certainly can empathize.

Many faith and social justice traditions provide powerful tools for utilizing empathy. In the labor movement it’s called solidarity: “an injury to one is an injury to all.” My mom — a Catholic school teacher — reminded me of the parable of the Good Samaritan, which also calls us to reach across difference to affirm our common humanity.

We saw empathy in action just a month ago in Orlando. It made such a difference to me and other LGBTQ people that straight and cis allies showed up and bore witness to the homophobia and racism that led to Orlando. That law enforcement rushed in under fire to rescue these LGBTQ lives.

And, that when some politicians tried to erase the fact that this

targeted LGBTQ and Latinx people, we refused to be invisible and set the record, well, straight so to speak.So, if you have not checked in on your co-workers, fellow congregants, neighbors and friends who are people of color, don’t be immobilized by guilt or fear, do it now.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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