Mayor Bass helps welcome new NAACP Square

LOS ANGELES - On

Saturday, February 11, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles City and Dr. Cheyenne Bryant unveiled the first national “NAACP SQUARE” on the intersection of West 3rd Street and South Mesa Street in honor of America’s oldest and largest civil rights organi-zation.

“…(We) mark this (historic) moment as we celebrate Black history month, and the NAACP is celebrating its 114th anniversary,” said Mayor Karen Bass.

In honor of the Association’s 114th anniversary, Council Member Tim McOsker joined Dr. Cheyenne Bryant, the President of the San Pedro/Wilmington NAACP Branch 1069.

The square is located in front of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, the home church of Joe Gatlin, the founder of the NAACP Branch 1069.

Also in attendance was Emma Sharif (Mayor of Compton), Joe Gatlin (Branch Founder), Steven Bradford (Senator), and other NAACP branch presidents.

“When we are talking about history being made and created, we have the first female mayor in the history of Los Angeles California,” said President Dr. Cheyenne Bryant.

“Now when you’re driving or walking by South Mesa and West 3rd Street, take a moment to reflect. Across all of our communities, and throughout the One-Five (district), by uplifting each other, we can be stronger together.”

Established in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed in New York City by white and Black activists, partially in response to the ongoing violence against Black Americans around the country.

They work to ensure the political, education-al, equality of minority group citizens and eliminate race prejudice.

The square dedication was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles City Council on November 22, 2022.

Sen. Bradford offers new legislation to reduce deadly police stops

SACRAMENTO –Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) announced detailed amendments to Senate Bill 50 that would prohibit a peace officer from initiating a traffic stop for a low-level viola-tion, unless there is a separate, independent reason.

“We have seen far too many times how traffic stops can rapidly escalate and turn deadly. In this day and age, there’s no reason why Californians should be stopped and potentially subjected to brutality or dehumanization because of an expired license plate,” said Bradn Bradford, see page 9

Cal Grants

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College code: 042817. AB 540 students/Dreamers may submit a California Dream Act Application at https:// dream.csac.ca.gov/landing. Use Compton College CA Dream Act Application code: 04281700.

POT-COPS SCORE ANOTHER VICTORY FOR JUSTICE

Continued from page 1 gles, our Task Force has proven to be successful in stopping these illegal operations.”

The task force utilizes a four-step process to identify and take action against illegal dispensaries.

1. First, they coordinate with the Sheriff’s Department, Code Enforcement Division and other law enforcement agencies to conduct an investigation. Their investigation has identified ap-proximately 20 illegal marijuana dispensaries in the City.

2. Next, they file lawsuits to obtain injunctions preventing the illegal dispensaries from operating and the landlords from accepting rent from those businesses. Over the last six months, these efforts have permanently closed six illegally operating dispensaries and the city has obtained another six injunctions against illegal dispensaries and property owners.

3. Then, the city enforces penalties and fees against the illegal business, their owners, managers and landlords under city ordinances and state statutes. The city has determined that illegal dispensaries are liable to Compton for over $10 million dollars in penalties, fines and fees.

4. Finally, the city seeks court orders against non-compliant properties to take control of ille-gally used property by the illegal marijuana dispensaries.

“The City of Compton is at the forefront of cities in California taking action on this issue,” said Compton Station Sheriff’s Captain Terrence Bell. “We are proud to partner with the city on the Illegal Dispensaries Taskforce to shut these operations and prevent against narcotics related crimes.”

Upcoming Financial Aid Workshops Compton College’s Financial Aid Office will be hosting two upcoming workshops to assist at-tendees with the financial aid application process.

February 17 – in person from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Room E-17

February 21 – virtual at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom at https://compton-edu.zoom. us/s/81263977909

For more information about financial aid, and to get assistance with the application process, contact the Compton College Financial Aid Office, Room E17, at (310) 900-1600, ext. 2935. Vis-it the Financial Aid web page at: https://www. compton.edu/studentservices/financialaid/