Washington Afro-American Newspaper November 29 2014

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Volume 123 No. 17

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NOVEMBER 29, 2014 - DECEMBER 5, 2014

Marion Barry: the City’s ‘Mayor for Life’ By James Wright Special to the AFRO Several leaders from across the District reflected on Marion Barry’s life with plenty of reflective and positive thoughts on former D.C. Council member and four-term mayor. Barry died at 1:46 a.m. at the United Medical Center on Nov. 23 after collapsing the previous day while he was leaving Howard University Hospital after visiting his son, Christopher. Barry served as mayor of the District from 1979-1991 and from 1995-1999. He was elected to the D.C. Board of Continued on A4

Ferguson Ignites

AP Photo

Protestors carry signs and gather in front of the White House in Washington, Nov. 25, 2014, after the Ferguson grand jury decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent

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be determined by the physical and scientific evidence and credible testimony corroborated by that evidence, not in response to public outcry or for political expediency,” McCulloch said. “Decisions on a matter

“We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions.” –Brown’s parents evidence.” “I’m ever mindful that this decision will not be accepted by some and may cause disappoint for others. But all decisions in the criminal justice system must

as serious as charging an individual with a crime simply cannot be decided on anything less than a complete, critical examination of all the evidence. Anything else is not Continued on A3

Comcast, Boys & Girls Clubs Create Tech-Savvy Seal for Youth By Christina Sturdivant Special to the AFRO For children coming of age in the 21st century, online platforms have shaped the lives of these young people more than any other generation. These children are no strangers to using smartphones, electronic tablets and computers as tools for learning and communicating. Google is the cure for this generation’s inquisitiveness, and sharing thoughts, photos and ideas Continued on A5

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After months of deliberation, a 12-member grand jury on Nov. 24 decided Ferguson, Mo., police officer Darren Wilson was justified in his fatal August shooting of an unarmed AfricanAmerican teen, triggering protests in the city. Prosecutor Robert McCulloch said the grand jury decided “no probable cause exists” to indict Wilson on any of the five possible charges in the wake of his Aug. 9 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Both eyewitness testimony and physical evidence pointed to Brown being the aggressor, including the presence of the teenager’s

DNA and fingerprints in the officer’s vehicle and on his gun, he said. And, McCulloch added, several eyewitnesses offered statements that were “inconsistent with other statements they made and also conflicting with the physical

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Club youth explore the newly-renovated technology center at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Richard England Clubhouse. Photo by Christina Sturdivant

Capitol Hill Politicians, Community Members Plant Tree for Emmet Till By Linda Poulson Special to the AFRO

Several politicians and other community members expressed their condolences while planting a sycamore tree on the north side of Capitol Hill in honor of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy who was killed in Mississippi during the summer of 1955 after

whistling to a white woman. “Yet even today this pain from this unspeakable crime, this unspeakable tragedy still feels raw,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said during the ceremony on Nov. 17. “Perhaps, because those responsible for this hate crime were never held to account.”

AP Photo

Nyela Williams (left in hat) Barbara Jones (center) a longtime employee of former Mayor Barry and Dawn Perry (right) comfort each other during a vigil to honor Marion Barry.

Butterfield Elected New CBC Chair By James Wright Special to the AFRO

The members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) recently voted a former North Carolina jurist as its leader for the 114th Congress. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) was voted to lead the Congressional Black Caucus on Nov. 19. Butterfield, who was first elected to Congress in a special election in July 2004, is known on Capitol Hill to be a strong advocate for supporting broadband expansion in rural and minority areas and for quality health insurance access for all Americans. “I am happy to pass the chairman’s gavel to my friend and colleague, Rep. Butterfield,” outgoing CBC Chair Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) said. “He has dedicated his life and career to advancing the priorities of the disenfranchised and overlooked, both in his home Rep. G.K. Butterfield state of North Carolina as (D-N.C.) is the new well as here on the Hill. chairman of the I congratulate him on his Congressional Black election, and I look forward Caucus. to supporting him in his new capacity as he continues to move our caucus forward.” Butterfield is the 24th elected chair of the organization and will officially begin his duties on Jan. 6, 2015, when the 114th Congress is sworn in. Butterfield, who has spent most of his public career as a jurist, said that he is humbled by his election. “I’m moved by the unwavering support the CBC has shown me throughout the years,” he said. “Each year they’ve continued to elect me to senior positions within the caucus, solidifying their confidence in me to steer and now lead the conscience of the Congress as chair. I do not take their endorsement lightly.”

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