Newswire
Greene County BOE selects Dr. Timothy Thurman to be next Superintendent of Schools
From Washington to Bogotá, protests grow as Maduro faces U.S. judge By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Dr. Timothy Thurman By John Zippert, Co-Publisher
Maduro being escorted by Federal agents to court trial The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces set off an immediate reckoning in Washington, where protesters poured into the streets, security tightened around federal buildings, and lawmakers confronted the reality of an American operation that removed a foreign head of state and brought him to U.S. soil. See Maduro Face Judge, p. 6
Five years later, Capitol Officer Harry Dunn says January 6 was the ‘worst day of his life’ By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Harry Dunn, Capitol Police Officer
On the fifth anniversary of January 6, a date now fixed in the American conscience, Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn returned to the moment that altered his life and the nation’s course. Appearing on “Let It Be Known,” Dunn spoke about the unforgettable day that’s shaped by time, pain, and resolve, revisiting what he has called the worst day of his life.
After a second interview with the top two candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools, the Greene County Board of Education selected Dr. Timothy Thurman for the position. After a lengthy discussion, the Board made the selection of Thurman a unanimous decision of the five board members to show unity and support for the selection of Dr. Thur-
man to be the next leader of the educational system in Greene County. In a separate motion, the Board designated a committee of the Board Chair (Leo Branch), Vice Chair (Robert Davis) and Legal Counsel (Attorney Hank Sanders) to negotiate a contract with Dr. Thurman, setting his compensation, benefits and other requirements, which will be reviewed and approved by the Board at its next meeting. Dr. Timothy Thurman comes to Greene County after serving as the Superintendent of the City of Linden School System in Marengo, County. Thurman’s experience also included serving as Assistant Superintendent Linden City Schools; Principal Linden High School; Teacher and Coach Perry County Schools; Director Perry County Alternative School. Education: Doctorate Educational Leadership; Master’s Education Administration; Bachelor’s Elementary Education. He
The Democrat Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Vol. 135, No. 1
75¢ Serving West Alabama Like No Other Community Newspaper Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement sponsors activities honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday
Spiver Gordon
Rev. Joe N. Webb
The Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement, Inc., (ACRMM) is sponsoring a series of programs commemorating the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to Greene County, the State of Alabama, and this nation. Mr. Spiver W. Gordon, ACRMM President, organizes these events each year in celebration and as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of so many lead-
ers who brought about civil, social, and economic changes in our lives. The work of Dr. King and SCLC, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Democratic Party of Alabama (NDPA) and others provided the courageous leadership that changed laws and practices on voting rights, holding public office, desegregating public education, public ac-
commodations, and employment opportunities for Black people in particular. As Mr. Gordon noted: “These rights are still not secured, especially the right to vote. There are strong movements to diminish those and other civil rights going on right now.” The annual events of ACRMM, open to the public, are scheduled as follows: On Thursday January 15, 2026, at 10:00 am, the Dr. MKL, Jr. Educational Seminar Student Development Session will be held at New Peace Baptist Church on Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL. Keynote Speaker, Hon. Shelton Berry, Civil Right Leader, Port Allen, LA, Special guests. Attorney John Stamps,III., Curtis Travis, Hon. Leo Branch, Hon. Garria Spencer, Hon Darryl Airkerson, Interim Superintendent of Education, Greene County High School students are
Robert J. Lee Sr. (Rob), local attorney and life-time Eutaw resident, has officially qualified as a candidate for Greene County District Judge. With 28 years of legal experience
he has built a reputation for fairness, integrity and respect for the rule of law. Rob has a wealth of experience in criminal, domestic, juvenile, and civil law providing a balanced and
thoughtful approach to justice. “I am committed to applying the law fairly, treating every individual with dignity, and ensuring our courts remain impartial and accessible”, stated
Maryland to consider slavery reparations after Gov. Wes Moore's veto is overridden By The Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland will create a commission to study potential reparations for slavery after lawmakers voted Tuesday to override a veto by Gov. Wes Moore — currently the nation's only Black governor — that disappointed many fellow Democrats. Moore said in his veto letter in May that it was a difficult decision to veto the bill, which was a priority of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. But he wrote there has been enough study of the legacy of slavery, and it was now time to "focus on the work itself" to address it. See Slavery Reprations, p. 6
Beyoncé is officially a billionaire, Forbes says She is the fifth musician to ever reach billionaire status, according to the outlet. By Kate Reilly, NBC News
Board to clarify goals and then meeting with staff to listen to their concerns, build relationships and develop a very specific implementation plan to reach the system goals. He said based on his experience; he could move “relatively fast to improve the conditions in under-performing schools.” When asked what it would take to improve parent and teacher morale in the schools, he said regular communications with Board, schools and the community, as well as a winning football team. He said, “ In Linden, we were a 1A school, but no-one wanted to challenge us in football, which really helped people in the community and the schools to appreciate what Linden was doing within its school system. Dr. Thurman said he was ready to go to work, as soon as the Board agreed on a contract and wanted him to start.
Greene County
See January 6, p. 6
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
also serves as the pastor of two Baptist churches in Marengo County. The Linden City School system is the smallest in the state with 400 to 500 students and is about half the size of Greene County’s school population. They have three schools – primary, middle and high school – like Greene County. In the interview, when asked about whether Greene County was robbing Linden by offering him the Superintendent’s position, Thurman responded by saying that he was leaving the system in “good shape” and that all his goals for the system had been met over the decade that he had been Superintendent. “I have done what I wanted to do in Linden,” he said. At the start of the interview, Dr. Thurman distributed a written plan to the Board on how he would tackle his first 90 days as Superintendent. The plan includes meeting with the
Local attorney qualifies for District Judge race
the primary invitees. Monday January 19, 2026 8: 00 A.M. Unity Freedom Breakfast Program at the Eutaw Activity Center, Harris Avenue, Keynote Speaker Rev. Joe Webb, Pastor of New Generation Church, Eutaw, Alabama. The Freedom Breakfast is followed by the Countywide Freedom March to the William M. Branch Courthouse. Religious Women Freedom Rally, 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kelvin Cocokrell, Special honored guest, Civil Right Leader Attorney John Due, Atlanta , GA; Pastor Carolyn Branch and others. Come join us for music, food, and celebration, “We can never let ourselves forget from whence we have come. We must keep the vigil to protect our rights and continue to serve and build our communities,” Gordon said.
Rob. Rob humbly asks for your support and vote in the Democratic Primary Election to be held May 19, 2026.
Eutaw Police Department makes three arrests Beyoncé has officially reached billionaire status, Forbes reports. She is the fifth musician to ever hit the milestone, joining her husband, Jay-Z, as well as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna. Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammys history, has had major success in recent years. In 2023, her 39-city, 56-show Renaissance tour made more than $500 million and drew more than 2.7 million concertgoers. See Beyonce’p. 3
The Eutaw Police Department reported the following arrests. 12/22-Terrel Galloway of Eutaw was arrested for criminal mischief 2nd degree. 12/26-Monteze Pearson of Eutaw was arrested for shoplifting 4th degree. 1/2-Rexford Jackson of Forkland was arrested for possession of marijuana 2nd degree. The Eutaw Police Department reported the fol-
lowing incidents. 12/22-Maria Smith reported mail theft 1st degree. 12/26-Rachel and Kaylon Nickson reported theft of property 1st degree. 12/30-Mary McInnis reported criminal mischief 3rd degree and property damage 3rd degree. 12/31-Marissa Frey reported an incident. 12/31-Angela Lucas reported an incident. The Greene County
Sheriff Department reported no arrests and the following incidents. 13/31-Jennifer Jackson reported domestic violence 3rd degree. 12/31-Robert Perkins reported theft of property 4th degree and criminal mischief 2nd degree, Item Stolen: currency in the amount of $200; Item damaged: Bill validator valued at $950. 12/31-Carlos Henley reported theft of property 1st
degree:Item stolen: 3500 Chevrolet Truck valued at $47,000; Miscellaneous valued at $5,000. The Greene County Sheriff Department reported the following bonds. 12/31-Cynthia Walker was released on a bond of $10,000 for Theft of Property 1st Degree and $5,000 for Criminal Mischief 1st Degree.
Page 2, The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Thank You
Carol’s Notes
The Village Family The village is the family is the village Where people share bonds Tracing lives entwined through The mystic of awakening each day And settling in rest at the end The village is the family is the village The gathering of those connected In marking paths in keeping vision Lasting over tripping stones and murk Holding gaze on a forward star The village is the family is the village Where every age settles within Each one the other’s hope And caring and comfort form Steps of ladders toward trust A jewel in a crown The village is the family is the village Hosting myriads of physiques and Tempers bearing sorrows and loss Claiming joys and hopes Risking death to live Making memories for legacy The village is the family is the village Although weighted in struggle Still counting gifts above all Blessed in knowledge of the Ancestral trail preserving lineage of The Village Family Carol Prejean Zippert
Website:greenecodemocrat.com & facebook Carol Zippert’s Poetry Books Available Signed copies of Carol P. Zippert’s second book of poetry are available through the Greene County Democrat Meeting Myself ‘Round The Corner published by New South Books, Montgomery, AL Carol’s first book, I Don’t Want To Be Rich, Just Able is also available through the Democrat Poetry Book Order Form
Please Send ______ Copies of poetry book, Meeting Myself ‘Round The Corner, at $20; plus $5.00 shipping & handling to: ______ Copies of poetry book, I Don’t Want To Be Rich, Just Able at $20; plus $5.00 shipping & handling to: Name________________________________________ Address______________________________________ _______________________________________ Mail to Carol P. Zippert, P.O. Box 82; Eutaw, Alabama 35462
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to The Greene County Steam Plant Family and Community Leaders for their support of the Tishabee Non-Profit Organization Food Drive. Thanks for all you do.
Death of a Fat Man A novel by Senator Hank Sanders Available at The Greene County Democrat $26 plus $4 shipping and handling Contact: The Greene County Democrat Happy Birthday January 10th
Ms. Maple Rogers We Love You, Your family and friends.
GIANT KILLERS: MORE THAN TWO (2) BILLION DOLLARS FOR CLIENTS We, Chestnut, Sanders & Sanders, have won more than two (2) Billion – that’s billions not millions - of dollars for our clients. We take on the giants – giant insurance companies, giant corporations, giant governments, etc. We are the Giant Killers. You need the Giant Killers to fight the giants when you have an injury from an auto accident or other harm. Call Chestnut, Sanders and Sanders at 334-526-4531 Specifically, if you have any of these injuries, call the Giant Killers. ROUNDUP – Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer - Call the Giant Killers. HERNIA MESH – Problems from hernia mesh implant - Call the Giant Killers. TALCUM POWDER, BABY POWDER & SHOWER TO SHOWER BODY POWDER – These products may cause Ovarian Cancer – Call the Giant Killers. IVC FILTER – IVC Filters to treat embolism may cause breathing problems and death – Call the Giant Killers. LUNG CANCER – Lung Cancer may be caused by various chemical products in the work place – Call the Giant Killers. SEVERE LUNG DISEASE – Severe Lung disease may be caused by exposure to various chemical products in the work place Call the Giant Killers. XARELTO – If you took the blood thinner Xarelto and suffered serious bleeding – Call the Giant Killers. PELVIC MESH/TRANSVAGINAL MESH IMPLANTS – If you had a pelvic mesh implant following a hysterectomy or to treat pelvic organ prolapsed and/or urinary stress incontinence – Call the Giant Killers.
Don’t wait, Call the Giant Killers at Chestnut, Sanders & Sanders, LLC @ 334-526-4531. Disclaimer These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different regardless of what friends, family or other individuals say about what a case is worth. Each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties and the testimony among other factors. Furthermore, No representation that the quality of legal services to be performed are greater than the services performed by other lawyers.
Public Health Update: Flu Activity increasing in Alabama and across the U.S.
The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Page 3
La’Keshia F. Matthews Attorney at Law
• Protecting Your Family • Protecting Your Assets • Protecting Your Rights Greene County Health System is sharing this update to keep our community informed and safe during the current flu season. Flu activity is now elevated nationwide and very high across Alabama, and we are seeing an increase in flulike illness in our region as well. This rise is consistent with what hospitals and clinics are experiencing across the state.
Most people recover at home, but flu can be serious for older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and long-term care residents. If you develop symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, or body aches, stay home, rest, and contact your healthcare provider. Antiviral treatment works best when
started early. It’s not too late to get a flu shot it helps reduce illness severity, hospitalization risk, and spread. Please continue to wash hands, cover coughs, stay home when sick, and use clinics or primary care when appropriate. Seek emergency care immediately if there is difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe weak-
ALEA SBI seeking person of interest nationwide in Alabama homicide investigation
PERRY COUNTY – On Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, Special Agents assigned to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) launched a homicide investigation at the request of the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. Jeffery Holifield, 68, of Marion, was found de-
ceased in the 2000 Block of Onrow Tubbs Road in Marion, located within Perry County in Alabama. After further investigation, Anastassja “Anya” or "Tess" Cooper, 32, of Marion, was identified as a person of interest. SBI is asking the public’s assistance in locating Cooper for questioning and is expanding their
search nationwide. Cooper was recently seen in San Mateo, California. She also has family connections in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Oregon. Cooper is described as a white female with brown hair, brown eyes, standing at 5’9” and weighing 216 pounds. She may also be in possession of or traveling with a mixed breed dog named “Banana.” If you see Cooper or have any information concerning her whereabouts, please contact SBI at 334-8500910. Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing.
Butler celebrates retirement
Congratulations to Reosha Butler, Correctional Warden III, Head Administrator on her Retirement Effective January 1, 2026, Correctional Warden III, Reosha Butler announces with a mix of gratitude and emotion her retirement after 26½ years with the Alabama Department of Corrections. She began her career in 1999 at Staton Correctional Facility as a Correctional Officer. In 2003, she was fortunate to be selected for the role of Correctional Farm Officer at Staton/Draper Correctional
Facility. Her journey continued with a promotion to Correctional Sergeant at Staton Correctional Facility in 2004, during which she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Faulkner University in 2005. In 2009, she was promoted to Correctional Lieutenant at Elmore Correctional Facility, followed by a role as Correctional Captain at Bibb County Correctional Facility in 2012. Her career progressed as she became Correctional Warden I at Bullock Correctional Facility in June 2016, later transitioning to the Elba Community Based Facility. In June 2020, she was elevated to Correctional Warden II at Ventress Correctional Facility, and six months later, she attained the position of Correctional Warden III at Fountain Correctional Facility. In 2024, she was assigned to the new build G K Ivey due to her expertise. Warden Butler's wealth of
knowledge and on-the-job experience includes both inside and outside security, along with the benefit of managing institutions across all custody levels. She subsequently transferred to Easterling Correctional Facility, where she will conclude her career. She is proud to be a graduate of the inaugural 2015 F.O.R.W.A.R.D. program and to have completed the National Institute of Corrections Training, specifically the Correctional Leadership for Women Partnering for Performance in June 2016. Professional Memberships: - Fraternal Order of the Police - Association of Women Executives in Corrections - Alabama Council on Crime and Delinquency - Alabama State Employees Association She expresses her deepest thanks to her colleagues and the community for their support throughout her career. She looks forward to the next chapter ahead.
Beyonce’ Her "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé" topped the box office during its opening weekend in December 2023, grossing $21 million. In 2024, she released the country album "Cowboy Carter," which was named album of the year at the 2025 Grammys, where she took home three awards. The "Cowboy Carter Tour" grossed more than $400 million, making it the highest-grossing country tour in history, according to Pollstar. But her success extends much further back. In 1990, a 9-year-old Beyoncé formed the singing-rapping girl group "Girl's Tyme," which became known as "Destiny's Child." In 1999, the group won two Grammys for its album "The Writing's on the Wall." The group eventually split, and Beyoncé pursued an incredibly successful solo career. In 2003, she released her first solo album, "Dangerously in Love," which dominated charts worldwide. Beyoncé founded Parkwood Entertainment in 2010, which gives her control over almost every aspect of her music career in-house, according to Forbes. Beyoncé’s company "produces all of her music, documentaries and concerts, fronting most of the production costs in order to capture more of the back-end economics," it said.
ness, dehydration, or sudden worsening in infants or frail adults. Our hospital, clinic, and nursing home remain prepared to care for our community, and we are monitoring flu activity closely. Thank you for helping us keep Greene County healthy and strong. Greene County Health System
Notice GREENE COUNTY PARENTS: Are you looking for a program to prepare your child that is 12 to 18 years old for the future? The Civil Air Patrol teaches them Aerospace, Cybersecurity, Emergency Services, Leadership, about the US Air Force, takes the Flying, and we have schools in the summer. Go to [www.gocivilairpatrol.com](https:// www.gocivilairpatrol.com/. ..) and see all we have to offer and put your zip code in to find a squadron near you to visit. Lt Col Michael McEntyre Alabama Wing Recruiter Civil Air Patrol michael.mcentyre@alwg.us
Copies .15¢
Greene County Office 224 Prairie Avenue Eutaw, Alabama 35462 Jefferson County Office 2107 5th Avenue North; Ste 300 Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Give us a call for a free consultation at (205) 374-2557 or email at lakeshia@thefmfirm.com. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Page 4, The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Greene County The Democrat The Greene County Democrat newspaper is published each Wednesday by the Greene County Democrat Newspaper Company, Inc., 206 Prairie Avenue, Eutaw, Alabama (USSR 700680). Subscription rate in county is $25 per year; elsewhere in Alabama, $30; and out of state, $35.
When the Post Office is undermined, Democracy and Black Jobs go with it
Publishers: John and Carol Zippert Editor: John Zippert Office Manager: Barbara Hunter The Greene County Democrat 206 Prairie Avenue P.O. Box 598 Eutaw, AL 35462 Phone: 205-372-3373 Fax: 205-372-2243 Website:greenecodemocrat.com & facebook
By Julianne Malveaux
Unrestricted and unprecedented: How Mackenzie Scott's giving model is transforming higher education and empowering communities
by Marc H. Morial , President and CEO, National Urban League (TriceEdneyWire.com) “It’s easy to focus on the methods of civic participation that make news, and hard to imagine the importance of the things we do each day with our own minds and hearts. Who nurtured a child in the kitchen; who was kind to a stranger in line at a grocery store; who gave fifty dollars to a local food shelter: these are not news stories. But all of it matters.” – MacKenzie Scott When MacKenzie Scott announced hundreds of millions of dollars in unrestricted donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities —after record contributions to Urban League affiliates— it wasn’t just philanthropy. It was a game-changing reimagining of how resources can empower institutions that have long been underfunded and overlooked. For generations, HBCUs have been engines of Black excellence, producing leaders, innovators, and changemakers despite chronic underinvestment. Scott’s approach—trustbased, unrestricted giving—has allowed these institutions to dream bigger and act faster, without the strings that often limit traditional grants. Howard University received $80 million, including $17 million for its College of Medicine. President Wayne A. I. Frederick called the gift “transformational,” saying, “It will allow us to expand our research footprint and provide more scholarships for students who will become the next generation of leaders.” Spelman College used its $38 million gift to increase scholarships and up-
grade technology infrastructure. President Helene Gayle said, “This historic gift strengthens our ability to support talented students and ensure they have the resources to thrive.” Morgan State University and Prairie View A&M each received $63 million, bolstering research capacity and faculty recruitment. Morgan State President David K. Wilson said the donation positioned the university to compete at the highest level and build an endowment that secures the institution’s future. Alcorn State University, with a $42 million gift— the largest in its 154-year history—is investing in scholarships and campus improvements. President Felecia Nave said the gift will impact “generations of students.” Scott also gave $70 million to the United Negro College Fund to create a pooled endowment benefiting 37 member schools, strengthening financial sustainability across the HBCU network. While HBCUs build future leaders, Urban League affiliates address immediate needs in housing, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Gifts like $7.4 million to Seattle and $6 million to Pittsburgh have expanded housing programs and connected thousands of families to jobs and childcare resources. Since 2020, Scott has given away over $26 billion to more than 2,500 nonprofits that support causes like racial justice, education, and economic mobility. Scott’s model challenges the status quo of philanthropy. By removing strings, she empowers partnership. And it’s a blueprint for how transformational giving can dismantle systemic barriers. If we want lasting change, more donors must follow Scott’s lead: trust the organizations closest to the work, fund them boldly, and let them lead. Communities thrive when resources meet vision without constraint.
Website:greenecodemocrat.com & facebook
(TriceEdneyWire.com) The United States Postal Service is under attack again—and this time, the damage threatens both Black livelihoods and Black votes. The Postal Service is not just how we send letters. It is democratic infrastructure. It is also one of the largest employers of Black workers in the nation. Roughly 29 percent of postal workers are Black, more than double Black representation in the overall labor force. For generations shut out of private-sector opportunity, the post office offered union protection, civil-service hiring, pensions, and a ladder into the middle class. That is not incidental, it is structural. So when the man who lives in the House that Enslaved People Built and his allies talk about “reforming,” “controlling,” or “privatizing” the Postal Service, they are not just talking about mail. They are talking about dismantling one of the few remaining federal institutions that has reliably served Black people—as work-
ers and as voters. Let’s start with voting. Recent changes in postal operations and postmarking rules mean that ballots are increasingly postmarked when they are processed, not when they are dropped in the mailbox. That may sound like bureaucratic trivia. It is not. In many states, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to count. Translation: a voter can do everything right—mail their ballot on time—and still have their vote thrown out because the system moved too slowly. That is not voter error, it’s system failure masquerading as neutrality. In the most recent election cycle, more than half a million mail ballots were rejected nationwide, and roughly one in five of those rejections were because ballots arrived “late.” Late for whom? Late because of staffing shortages, route consolidation, processing delays, and rigid deadlines that punish voters for problems they did not create. This is what voter suppression looks like in the 21st century: clean, quiet, and legally defensible— until you look at who it affects. Black voters, elderly voters, disabled voters, rural voters, and working people juggling multiple jobs rely disproportionately on mail service. They are least able to take time off work to cure ballot errors, drive to election offices, or stand in long lines. When mail slows, their voices disappear. No dogs.
No firehoses. Just envelopes quietly discarded. Now connect that to employment. Donald Trump has openly floated placing the Postal Service under direct executive control and accelerating privatization. That is not a management tweak; it is a political power grab. Privatization means layoffs, weakened unions, lower wages, fewer benefits, and less accountability. It means shrinking a workforce that has long been a bedrock of Black economic stability. We’ve walked down this road before. When public institutions are hollowed out, Black workers go first and suffer longest. When jobs disappear “through attrition,” families lose mortgages, health care, and retirement security— slowly, invisibly, and without headlines. The same communities losing counted ballots are losing good jobs. It’s not coincidence, it’s design. Weakening the Postal Service does double duty: it narrows the electorate and destabilizes the Black middle class. One hand takes the ballot; the other takes the paycheck. And then we are told this is about efficiency. Let’s be real.. Private carriers do not deliver to every address. They do not unprofitable maintain routes. They do not guarantee equal access. And they certainly do not exist to protect voting rights. A privatized postal system would serve profit, not
outlawed the transatlantic slave trade in 1807, effective in 1808. But it did not weaken slavery. It intensified it. A vast internal slave trade tore families apart as enslaved people were sold further south to fuel cotton’s explosive growth. The nation celebrated independence while perfecting a domestic machinery of human trafficking. Another fifty years brought a different moment. In July 1876, the centennial told a more hopeful story. The party of Lincoln remained in power. The constitutional amendments guaranteeing citizenship and voting rights were part of the national narrative. Federal troops still protected Black communities in the South. Much would change months later. But on the nation’s birthday, Black America was living in an era defined by hardwon freedom. That pattern would repeat a century later. In 1976, the Bicentennial arrived in the midst of desegregation. The mood was reflective. Protest was understood as American. Reconstruction was no longer erased. The country celebrated what many called a second Reconstruction. But in 1926—America’s 150th birthday—the pattern broke the other way. The nation was in the grip of xenophobic, antisemitic, and racist backlash. White supremacist organizations wielded real political power. Racial violence
and intimidation were facts of daily life. Antisemitic conspiracy theories were mass-produced. AntiCatholic campaigns targeted Irish, Italian, and eastern European immigrants. All of it was wrapped in the language of “100 percent Americanism.” Let me be clear how far this rot went. Henry Ford spread antisemitic conspiracies through the newspaper he owned. Black veterans feared wearing their uniforms in public. The Klan was ascendant on anti-immigrant hate. Mainstream newspapers depicted Catholic immigrants as inherently criminal and dangerous to American society. The sesquicentennial did not create these forces. It amplified them. Which brings us to now. If history is a guide, America’s 250th birthday will feel more like 1926 than 1976. The same currents are visible: immigrants from historically Catholic nations cast as threats, racism on the rise, antisemitic tropes revived, Islamophobia inflamed. All in parallel. All dressed up as patriotism. But history offers more than warning. It offers instruction. In 1926, the civil rights movement did something harder and more powerful than protest alone. It organized the nation’s conscience. Leaders claimed the ideals of the American
people—and profit has never been color-blind. This is why attacks on the post office should alarm anyone who cares about democracy or racial justice. The Postal Service sits at the crossroads of economic citizenship and political citizenship. Undermine it, and you undermine both. When Black parents once said, “you can always work at the post office,” they were naming a rare promise in an unequal economy: that there was still one place where the rules applied to us, too. If that institution is dismantled—if jobs are cut, unions weakened, mail slowed, and ballots delayed—then that promise disappears. And so does a piece of democracy. That means a political movement that sabotages the mail to win elections is admitting it cannot win when everyone’s vote—and everyone’s labor—actually counts. Under the guise of efficiency, voter suppression is lurking in the background. Postal service hijinks are consistent with poll taxes, lliteracy tests, and more. A country that cannot deliver mail fairly cannot deliver democracy. And a country willing to sacrifice Black workers and Black voters in the name of “reform” is telling us exactly who it values— and who it does not. Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and www.julianauthor. nemalveaux.com
Get ready to honor America’s birthday by fighting for freedom, again
By Ben Jealous (TriceEdneyWire.com) America has a big birthday this year. Here’s a hint: The celebration will not feel much like the last big one in 1976. I still believe our nation’s best days are ahead. But our history—and our headlines—suggest we are facing a familiar test. Another fraught fight for freedom and democracy is already upon us. That, too, is part of a pattern. How America marks century anniversaries has looked different from how we mark the halfway points. The difference is not in the fireworks. It is whether we are expanding the idea of who belongs— or shrinking it. In 1776, the colonies declared independence from a monarchy and made a radical claim: that all men are created equal. By 1826, that promise had narrowed, not widened. Slavery was more entrenched and brutal than at the founding. Congress
Revolution not as nostalgia, but as goals the country was obligated to reach. They defined American patriotism as expanding freedom. They warned that those who would turn Americans into subjects— through violence, exclusion, or fear—were the real threat to the founding ideals. They called on their neighbors to build America up, not tear her down. That was not naïveté. It was strategy. It worked. Not overnight. But over time. Fifty years after 1926 came 1976. Fifty years hence, if the pattern holds, America can be in a better place. The question is not whether history bends. It is who does the bending. America’s great birthdays do not measure how free we think we are. They measure how seriously we take the work undone. If we honor this birthday by recommitting to the fight for freedom—by widening democracy, not shrinking it; by confronting hate, not tolerating it—this celebration can become a hinge, not a warning. Because realizing America’s promise is always the mission. Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club, a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, and former national president and CEO of the NAACP.
Send Letters to the Editor The Greene County Democrat P. O. Box 598 Eutaw, AL 35462
Democrats can’t win In 2026 on Trump Resistance Alone
(TriceEdneyWire.com) Democrats ended 2025 with important victories that steadied a rattled party still reeling from Donald Trump’s return to power. Yet even after those wins, Democratic approval ratings remain stubbornly low. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found only 18 percent of voters approve of the way congressional Democrats are handling their jobs. A record low of 73 percent disapprove. In stark contrast, congressional Republicans have a 35 percent approval rating while 58 percent disapprove. Democrats are even under water within our own party. The same poll found only 42 percent of Democrats approve of congressional Democrats with 48 percent disapproving. Among Republicans, 77 percent approve of their own party in Congress. This data indicates Democrats will need to do more than run against Trump if we want to win in 2026. To keep the momentum going, Democrats will have to show working class voters we also know how to govern in the places where we currently hold power. That starts with recognizing a hard truth: being anti-Trump is not a governing agenda. It can mobilize a base, raise money, and win a news cycle. It cannot, by itself, lower grocery bills, stabilize rents, or make healthcare more affordable. Democrats must understand that while many working class voters are exhausted by Trump, they are equally frustrated with a political system that seems incapable of improving daily life. The working class wants to see relief they can feel as sharply as the rising costs that are hitting their pockets each week. Our opportunity to win these voters back and improve our own favorability lies in policies that bring down costs, enforce competition, expand supply, and protect consumers—paired with relentless communication about what’s being done and why it matters. The working class needs to see a coordinated effort with congressional Democrats taking the lead in holding Republicans accountable for rising costs while state Democrats follow through on the promises we made to prioritize affordability. Coordination is key because it demonstrates to working class voters that Democrats can offer more than rhetoric and are prepared to wield power to bring down costs. And here again the South can demonstrate the leadership that’s desperately missing. Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will prioritize affordability in her first legislative session. Her plans include working with the state legislature’s expanded Democratic majority to pass a multifaceted health care package designed to tackle out-ofpocket costs. Another proposal seeks to support Virginians most likely to lose access to health care due to Republicans refusal to extend Obamacare subsidies. Spanberger is also
proposing additional policies that will reduce utility bills and expand the availability of affordable housing. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has put forth a budget that would raise public education spending, including a 10 percent increase in average teacher pay. Stein also wants to invest millions more in health care. Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order last month aimed at reducing energy costs. Miami Florida’s first female and Democratic mayor in 30 years has outlined plans to create more affordable housing through permitting reform, a city housing trust fund and using city-owned land for affordable projects. And Kentucky Governor and Democratic Governors Association Chair Andy Beshear has been a leading voice highlighting the impacts of the Republican affordability crisis on rural America. Beshear has noted the rural health care centers that have already shuttered due to Medicaid cuts and how reductions in federal food aid will hit poor and rural Americans while the wealthiest benefit from Trump tax cuts. National Democrats are echoing Beshear with the launch of their first ever rural outreach program that will fund engagement and messaging efforts focused on rising costs and the chaos caused by Trump’s tariffs. And Georgia Democrats are planning a legislative agenda focused on affordability when the legislature returns; hoping to build from momentum from last year’s elections where the party flipped two Public Service Commission seats with a targeted message on relief from high utility bills. What these leaders share is a refusal to reduce their politics to opposition alone. They talk about jobs, schools, roads, hospitals, and costs. They meet voters where they are and they understand that governing well is the strongest rebuke to Trumpism. The midterms will not be a referendum on Trump alone. They will be a judgment on whether Democrats used their moments of power to make life more affordable and healthcare more secure. If the party leans solely on fear of the alternative, it risks confirming working class voters’ cynicism. If it leans into governing—clearly, confidently, and relentlessly—it has a chance to rebuild trust with working class voters. Democrats don’t need to abandon their values to win. They need to prove those values can produce results. In 2026, Trump resistance won’t be enough. Democrats will have to show some receipts. Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel are veteran Democratic strategists with over 100 political campaigns between them, including the past five presidential elections and several congressional races. They co-host “Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast.”
The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Page 5
Senate Sketches #2011.....by Hank Sanders
When A Living Legend Transitions. She transitioned the day before Christmas. I learned of her passing late that night. My family was scheduled to travel to Newport, Tennessee the very next day. It is about 400 miles from Selma and 35 miles from where Faya Rose Toure graduated from high school. I really wanted to leave for Newport on Christmas Eve, but some family members on Faya’s side of the family wanted to gather on Christmas Eve. Therefore, we left on Christmas day. I fully intended to pay my respects to the family and attend the funeral when I returned. I felt like I had time since I would arrive back in Selma late on December 30, 2025, or early on December 31st. When a Living Legend Transitions. Lynda Blackmon Lowery was a special person. She was deeply involved in the Selma Voting Rights Movement in the 1960s. She was arrested nine times as a teenager. She was in the Famous Bloody Sunday March. She was beaten so badly it required 39 stitches to her head. Yet she marched all the way to Montgomery a couple weeks later. She was one of two teenagers who marched the entire 54-mile historic Selma to Montgomery March. She turned 15 years old during the historic Selma to Montgomery March in 1965. She shared her Selma Movement experiences in the book, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom. It is a wonderful book that has won National Awards. It was made into a theatrical musical that Faya Rose and I attended in Winston Salem, North Carolina last year. She was also awarded an Honorary Doctor Degree from Carolina Christian College. When a Living Legend Transitions. Lynda was a proud Mother and Grandmother. She had multiple bouts with cancer. Each time she prevailed over the cancer except for the last bout. I visited her from time to time. She always had a good spirit regardless of the challenge. I did not visit her during her last bout with cancer. I felt badly because I fully intended to go see her but I kept putting it off, as I dealt with various crises and challenges. Faya did visit her. Lynda often said to me: “I tell everybody that Hank Sanders is my friend. I tell everybody that Rose Sanders is my friend.” When a Living Legend Transitions. I fully expected that the funeral would be no earlier than Saturday, January 3, 2026. I was wrong. While I was in Newport, Tennessee, I learned that the funeral was set for December 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Family hour was 10:00 a.m. Newport is a six-hour drive from Selma. I also had an important meeting in Greene County on the same date. However, I had arranged to be available by phone for legal consultation. I really wanted to be at this meeting in person, but I very much wanted to spend the full five days with my family. We are all too busy when we are in Selma. When a Living Legend Transitions. I left Newport on December 29th, arriving in Selma in the night. I arose very early the next day and went to my office because I had a full day ahead. I had drafted a Sketches in long hand before I left for Newport, Tennessee. However, Sketches had to be typed, edited and proofed and sent to The Greene County Democrat by midday on Tuesday, December 30th for publication. I had not missed a publication of
Sketches in more than 2000 straight weeks—a nearly 40 years period of time. The draft of Sketches was much rougher than I anticipated, but I smoothed it out and left for the funeral of Lynda Blackmon Lowery at 10:30 a.m. When a Living Legend Transitions. I drove up to Ebenezer Baptist Church. Cars were everywhere. I could not afford to be blocked in, so I forged a parking spot down the street. I knew I might have to leave before the funeral was over. I slowly walked the distance to the Church entrance. The family was lined up in the cold to march in. I spoke to many others individually as I entered the church. Lynda Blackmon Lowery was truly a people person—a Very Special People Person. When a Living Legend Transitions. The ushers tried to take me to a seat near the front of the church. I insisted on sitting on the very back row. I knew I would probably have to leave before the funeral was over to travel to Greene County for that critical legal matter and did not want to be a distraction. The family marched in two by two behind multiple ministers. The lead minister was speaking as he marched. We all stood in respect for the family as they marched toward the front. Each family member stopped at the open casket to view the body of Lynda Blackmon Lowery. My back and legs were hurting so I eventually sat back down before the family completed the viewing. When a Living Legend Transitions. Funerals are designed to effect a special transition. The deceased has already transitioned. Funerals are programmed to help those of us living in the midst of pain and suffering that comes from our feelings of tremendous loss. Funerals are designed to help the living because we need to transition to a place of understanding and acceptance. The songs, the Bible verses, the words of friends, relatives and others, and the eulogy all help bring the deceased’s spirit back to life so that we can release her/him in peace. When a Living Legend Transitions. At first, I could not obtain a funeral program. An usher finally secured and brought one to me. I noticed that Lynda had a letter addressed to each of her children and several of her grandchildren. The letter began with these words: “Sorry I have to leave without saying goodbye. Know and feel the love I have for each of you is strong as ever, as I travel on my journey.” The program contained the names of those she wanted to speak or sing. Someone stated that Lynda had planned her entire funeral. When I read through the program and reached the back of the program, I saw the name, “Senator Hank Sanders.” I was listed as one of three honorary pallbearers. I was caught off guard because no one had told me that I was an honorary pallbearer. How could they when I recalled that I had been 400 miles away? The funeral program helped me to transition because I fully understood that Lynda Blackman Lowery was prepared for her transition—her last journey. When a Living Legend Transitions. I read the words, “Obituary – Read silently,” in the program. My mind went back, way back to the times when most Black People could not read so the obituary was read out
loud at funerals by one of the few who could read. The reading of the obituary became part of the transition experience. It is still part of most funeral programs for Black people although most folk will have silently read the obituary long before the time allotted on the program. When a Living Legend Transitions. I stayed until the special song right before the Eulogy was near completion. The singer said that Lynda had specifically requested that she sing the song at her funeral. I hated to leave, but I needed to be in Greene County. Because I cannot stand long, I rarely go to burials. I eased out the church as Teresa Carter was ending Lynda’s special song, “My Soul has been Anchored.. I thought about Lynda Blackmon Lowery as I traveled the 75-mile drive to Greene County. I was at peace because I felt that Lynda Blackmon Lowery was at peace. When a Living Legend Transitions. Now on to the Daily Diary. SATURDAY, December 27, 2025 – I was in Newport, Tennessee with family. We had an extended conversation about family unity. I shared the Rock Soup Story to illustrate the Seven Kwanzaa Principles. Among others, I communicated with the following: Faya Rose Toure of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Former Alabama State Senator Malika Sanders Fortier; Law Professor Kindaka Jamal Sanders; Ainka Sanders Jackson of the Selma Center for Nonviolence and the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Askhari Little and Amadi Sanders of Washington, D.C.; Josiah Jackson of Morehouse College; Ayanniah “Niah” Perkins of Georgia State College; Shaunte Jones of Houston, Texas; and Retired New York University Professor Emeritus Dr. John Singler. SUNDAY – I was still in Newport, Tennessee. I hosted the Sunday School Lesson with Faya Rose Toure on Facebook Live and Z105.3 FM Radio station. I handled various matters and traveled to Greenville, Tennessee where Faya attended high school and averaged 28 points a game on the girls’ basketball team. The people still celebrate the team even though the school closed more than 50 years ago. We attended the Jones Memorial AME Zion Church where Faya’s Father, Reverend D. A. Gaines, Pastored more than 65 years ago. We talked with some of the persons Faya attended school with in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. We then traveled to the Tennessee cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville before returning to Newport, Tennessee. Several of us participated in a ZOOM call with two religious figures that night. Among others, I communicated with the following: Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; Azali Fortier of Spelman College; Ayanna Fortier, Ayira Fortier and Asha Fortier of Selma; and Apostles Gerald Benton and Yvette Benton originally from Florida but now residing in Kennesaw, Georgia. MONDAY – I awakened in Newport, Tennessee, handled many matters, and drove 400 miles to Selma, Alabama, arriving in the night. Among others, I communicated with the following: Shelley Fearson of Ala-
bama New South Coalition; Greene County Interim School Superintendent Darryl Aikerson; Talladega Businessman Roger Sims; and Junior Oliver of Selma. TUESDAY – I handled various matters, attended the funeral of Lynda Blackmon Lowery, traveled to Greene County, returned to Selma and worked into the night. Among others, I communicated with the following: Greene County School Board members Leo Branch, Robert Davis, Carrie Dancy, Veronica Richardson and Brandon Merriweather; LaTanya of Greene Cockrell County; Greene County Democrat Co-Publishers Dr. Carol Prejean Zippert and John Zippert; and Charlene Williams of Selma, Alabama. WEDNESDAY – I handled many matters and worked into the night. Among others, I communicated with the following: Marilyn Cosby and Karen Jackson of Selma; Priscilla Mitchell of North Carolina; Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr.; Radio Personality Angel Faye Russell (Lady Angel); Walker and Jasmine Rasheem Kincey of Enterprise; Lorraine Capers and Geraldine Wofford of Selma; and Montgomery Businessman Frank Jenkins. THURSDAY – This was New Years Day. I handled various matters, traveled to Orrville to celebrate the 163rd Annual Emancipation Proclamation at Siloam Baptist Church, returned to Selma and worked into the night. Among others, I communicated with the following: Television Reporter George McDonald; Godfrey King of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Gus Townes and Gail Townes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Bob Lowery of Auburn; Dr. James Carter of Jefferson County; Jerry Pennick of Atlanta, Georgia; and Brenda Myles of Selma. FRIDAY – I handled many matters, worked into the evening, traveled to Montgomery for a movie date and dinner with Faya, our son and his friend and returned to Selma. Among others, I communicated with the following: Charles Sanders of Baldwin County; Denise Ware of New Jersey; Dr. Margaret Hardy of Selma; Barbara Pitts of Decatur, Georgia; and Jason Copeland of Gadsden. EPILOGUE – Lynda Blackmon Lowery was my friend. Lynda Blackmon Lowery was Faya Rose Toure’s friend. Lynda Blackmon Lowery was a friend to so many. In fact, Lynda Blackmon Lowery was a friend to humanity. She was still being a friend as she transitioned. Even after she transitioned, she is still being a friend to many because her special spirit lives on in each of us. When a Living Legend Transitions.
Page 6, The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
EarthTalk® From the Editors of E The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What is “sand mining” and why is it bad for the environment? – O.H., Via email Sand mining, extracting sand from the earth, is the second most widespread human activity in marine environments, after fishing. Sand and gravel are the most extracted materials across the globe. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the dredging industry removes six million
The dredging industry’s removal of some 6 million tons of sand from marine settings around the world each year is devastating aquatic ecosystems. Credit: Wikideas1, CC0. tons of sand from marine settings around the world each year. Sand is typically extracted from where it’s most abundant: aquatic areas, like ocean floors. Once mined, it is incorporated into concrete, glass, electronics and asphalt, which are then used to construct buildings and houses. Although sand has many important roles in human development, it is also important for the health of
ecosystems. “This resource is often seen as an inert, abundant material, but in reality it is an essential resource that shapes coastal and marine ecosystems, protects shorelines and sustains ecosystems and livelihoods,” says Aurora Torres, a biodiversity researcher at Spain’s University of Alicante. Removing sand in large amounts has negative effects on the environment. The process of dredging
harms aquatic habitats by altering natural seagrass and coral while clouding the water. Sand mining has also been connected to the spread of invasive species, changes in wave patterns and coastal erosion. These issues are becoming increasingly prevalent. “Without new thinking, the sands of time will run out,” says Beatrice Kariuki, a Kenyan spoken word poet, in a video released by UNEP. There are solutions to this growing threat. The sand mining industry is not regulated in many areas, so increasing government oversight is one avenue. Also, construction companies can use other materials. In Singapore, recycled glass is replacing sand in 3Dprinted concrete. Limiting the amount of sand removed at one time is the most sustainable option since the sand will naturally replenish. “Keeping sand in the rivers is the best adapta-
tion to climate change,” says Marc Goichoit, a leader at the World Wide Fund for Nature. “If a river delta receives enough sediment, it builds itself above sea level in a natural reaction.” Sand mining is projected to continue at its current unsustainable rate unless people across the globe take action. One way to get involved is to petition your local legislature for governmental action, like creating restrictions and regulations on the industry. Also, stay informed on sand mining from sources such as the Marine Sand Watch, a data platform that monitors and tracks dredging activities across the globe. CONTACTS: The rising tide of sand mining: a growing threat to marine life, H Y P E R L I N K "https://www.canr.msu.edu/ news/the-rising-tide-ofsand-mining-a-growingthreat-to-marine-life"https:/
/www.canr.msu.edu/news/t he-rising-tide-of-sand-mining-a-growing-threat-tomarine-life;; ‘Totally unsustainable’ sand mining harms marine environments, new data suggest, H Y P E R L I N K "https://news.mongabay.co m/2023/09/totally-unsustainable-sand-miningharms-marine-environment s - n e w - d a t a suggest/"https://news.mong abay.com/2023/09/totallyunsustainable-sand-miningharms-marine-environment s-new-data-suggest/. EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more a t H Y P E R L I N K "https://emagazine.com" https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit HYPERLINK "https://earthtalk.org/"https: //earthtalk.org. Send questions to: HYPERLINK "mailto:question@earthtalk.org"question@earthtalk.org.
Slavery Reparations But Democrats who control both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly decided the commission was needed to better examine how to do that. "This topic isn't easy, but, again, without formal study, reparations risk being dismissed as symbolic or unconstitutional, regardless of moral merit," said Sen. Charles Sydnor, a Democrat. After his veto was overridden, Moore said that while he disagrees with the legislature's decision, "I am eager to move forward in partnership on the work of repair that we all agree is an urgent and pressing need." "I believe the time for action is now — and we must continue moving forward with the work of repair immediately," Moore said in a statement. "That mission is especially vital given the immediate and ongoing effects of this federal administration on our constituents, including communities that have been historically left behind." Potential reparations outlined in the bill include official statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social service assistance, as well as licensing and permit fee waivers and reimbursement. Reparations also could include assistance with making a down payment on a home, business incentives, childcare, debt forgiveness and tuition payment waivers for higher education. Maryland's Black population is about 30%, the highest percentage of any state outside of the Deep South. Support for reparations gained momentum in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. However, the issue has been a difficult one, particularly for high-profile Democrats, and comes amid a broader conservative backlash over how race, history and inequality are handled in public institutions. "At a time of growing attacks on diversity and equity, today's action reaffirms our shared commitment to truth-telling, accountability, and meaningful progress for Black Marylanders," the state's Legislative Black Caucus said in a statement.
Maduro face Judge That reckoning widened Monday as Maduro was transported under heavy guard to federal court in Manhattan, with demonstrations unfolding across major U.S. cities and overseas, from New York and Chicago to Bogotá and Caracas, exposing a global divide over the Trump administration’s military action. Outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, protesters chanted for Maduro’s release and questioned the legality of the operation. “What’s stopping Trump from doing this to other countries?” said Zoe Alexandra of the ANSWER Coalition, as demonstrators lined the sidewalk near the facility where Maduro is being held. In Detroit, hundreds gathered near federal buildings, braving winter conditions to oppose the intervention. Organizers said the rallies began within hours of the announcement of Maduro’s capture and continued through the weekend, drawing activists, labor organizers, and members of the Venezuelan diaspora. Similar scenes played out in Minneapolis, where marchers moved through city streets carrying signs calling for an end to U.S. military action. “They don’t want war,” said Andrew Josefchak, an organizer with the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition. In Chicago, protesters filled Federal Plaza before marching toward Trump Tower, while in San Francisco and Seattle, crowds gathered with banners reading “No War on Venezuela” and “Hands Off Latin America.” The reaction overseas was swift and sharply critical. China and Russia condemned the operation, while leaders across Latin America warned of regional instability. Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued one of the most forceful rebukes. “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy,” Petro said. “To keep Epstein’s list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen and threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil.” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the action crossed an unacceptable line, while the United Nations secretary general expressed concern about violations of international law. The Trump administration has defended the operation as a law enforcement action tied to long-standing narcotics charges. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face U.S. indictments alleging narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is targeting drug trafficking organizations, not Venezuela itself, while President Donald Trump said the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela during a transition. On Capitol Hill, criticism crossed party lines. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the operation was reckless without congressional authorization, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar warned of unintended consequences from regime-change actions. Supporters of the operation, including some Venezuelan Americans, gathered in New York’s Times Square and near the Simón Bolívar statue in Washington, waving flags and celebrating what they described as the end of years of repression. “We share this feeling of joy, of happiness, of hope,” said Leonardo Angulo, who has lived in the United States for eight years. As Maduro prepares to enter a Manhattan courtroom, the protests show no sign of slowing, with organizers planning additional demonstrations as the legal proceedings begin and the world watches what comes next.
In October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered a mixed bag for proponents of bills aimed at addressing racist and discriminatory policies against African Americans. He signed a law authorizing $6 million for California State University to study how to confirm an individual's status as a descendant of an enslaved person. But he vetoed other bills the California Legislative Black Caucus championed as tools to atone for the state's history. Newsom, who is considering running for president in 2028, signed a law last year to formally apologize for slavery and its lingering effects on Black Californians. Moore has said he is not planning to run for president in 2028, but he has continued to cultivate a national profile that has drawn pundits' attention as a potential White House contender. New York City lawmakers approved legislation last year to study the city's significant role in slavery and consider reparations to descendants of enslaved people. In 2021, Evanston, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, became the first U.S. city to create a reparations plan for its Black residents, using tax revenue from the sale of recreational marijuana. As recently as a few years ago, Americans viewed the prospect of reparations mostly negatively. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2021 found that only about 3 in 10 U.S. adults said descendants of people enslaved in the U.S. should be repaid in some way, such as given land or money. About 7 in 10 said these descendants should not be repaid. Maryland lawmakers did not take up congressional redistricting in their one-day special session. Moore has expressed interest in pursuing a new map, which could come up when lawmakers convene in January for their annual 90-day session. However, the state Senate president has said he doesn't support moving forward with a new map. Democrats hold a 7-1 advantage over Republicans in the state's eight congressional distr
January 6
People attacking the U. S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 Dunn joined the United States Capitol Police in 2008 and has served as a Private First Class since 2011. His career placed him on duty for presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, State of the Union addresses, and hundreds of peaceful protests. As a Crisis Intervention Officer on the USCP Crisis Negotiation Team, he was trained for hostage situations, barricades, and mental health emergencies. None of that training, he said, prepared him for January 6, 2021. “I lived the worst day of my life on national TV,” Dunn said. Five years later, Dunn said something he had not always been able to say. “I’ve healed from that trauma,” he said, referring to his personal wounds from that day. The healing, which he made clear, did not mean forgetting. Dunn said it is possible to recover personally while remaining troubled by what continues to unfold in the country. “As we look around at the things that are going on,” he said, “it’s hard to be okay with everything. If you’re okay right now, I feel like you’re kind of like a callous soul.” Dunn said he remains focused on what he can change and where his voice still matters. January 6, he noted, made him known to much of the world, but it did not define the limits of his responsibility. Accountability, or apparent lack of it, ran through the conversation. Dunn spoke as civil lawsuits continue against President Donald Trump and as Trump has pardoned those convicted for their roles in the attack. Dunn said he was not surprised, adding that Trump had promised those pardons openly. “I knew it was coming,” Dunn said. “So, I had time to prepare.” Preparation meant action. Dunn said he worked as a surrogate for former Vice President Kamala Harris during the Harris–Walz campaign, trying to stop Trump’s return to of-
fice. When that effort failed, he said the pain was not sudden. It was familiar. “The wounds were already there,” Dunn said. “I just had time to brace for it.”Dunn rejected calls to move on from January 6, saying the record remains unsettled. “History bends toward distortion when accountability is denied,” he said. “A hundred years from now, somebody is going to read about January 6 and read that he was elected again and ask, ‘How could that happen?’” He said Americans do not need explanation to understand what occurred inside and around the Capitol. “You don’t need a talking head,” Dunn said. “Just press play. Put it on mute. Watch.” Dunn recalled how rioters filmed themselves, how juries later watched those same videos in court, and how the attackers felt emboldened. He said they told officers repeatedly that the president had sent them. “They were telling us, ‘The president said we could,’” Dunn said. He addressed comparisons often drawn between January 6 and Black Lives Matter protests. Dunn said Black Lives Matter demonstrators came to the Capitol, protested, shouted, and left. “They didn’t storm the Capitol,” he said. “Every single person went home that night. I can’t say the same thing about January 6.”Dunn spoke of officers who died and of others who later took their own lives. He said attempts to equate the events ignore those losses. The conversation turned to the present, with Dunn saying January 6 laid groundwork for what he sees now, from threats against other nations to the erosion of democratic norms. He said Americans were warned in advance. “He told us what he was going to do,” Dunn said. “And when he did it, people acted surprised.” The cost, he said, remains deeply personal. Dunn described election night as feeling like a knife through his heart, saying it was difficult to accept that many voters returned to power a man he holds responsible for one of the darkest days in U.S. history. Dunn said he continues to receive hateful messages and death threats, including in recent weeks. He said he takes precautions, leans on his community, and keeps showing up. “That means I’m doing something right,” he said. Dunn also discussed his New York Times bestselling memoir, “Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer’s Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th,” which he said was part of his healing. “Where does it end?” Dunn said. “The story is still being written. You can add to it, but you can’t take away from it.” He said he now speaks across the country about resilience, rejecting easy assurances. “I don’t know if it’s going to be okay,” Dunn said. “But I do know if we don’t fight, if we don’t show up, they’re going to steamroll us.” He paused, then offered what he could promise. “If we show up,” Dunn said, “we give ourselves a fighting chance.”
Website:greenecodemocrat.com & facebook
The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Page 7
Carolyn’s Tid Bits...by Carolyn Young
Faith Will Show the Way In this busy world of ours Do not lose our way, Stop to pick a budding flower, Gather a bouquet. Pause to hear a robin sing,
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
Let him sing for you Drink the sunshine and the rain As the lilies do. In the age of strain and stress Take the time to know There is courage, there is hope, everyone where you go. There is joy in little things, Love which cannot die, Sunbeams dancing round the door, Rainbows in the sky. As the day go rushing past Take the time to dream, Find a quiet hide-a-way, Rest beside a stream Guide your soul to sing again, Teach your heart to pray
Paulk Construction, Inc. 390 N. Goldthwaite Street Montgomery, AL 36104
“The harder you work the luckier you get. Happy Birthday to Lenae Branch, Chante’ Finch, Joseph Knott, Annie Gaines, Princess Rhone, Ken’Darious Summerville, Beverly Vester, Teresa Williams, Jimmy L. Smith, James Isaac, Sr., Zalia Smith, India Sanaa Duncan, Michael Lee, Jamiya Craig, Andrew Pride, Hattie (Tears) Samuels, Carmen Crockett, Rev. John Earl Hodges, Breunna Bester, Sabra
Simmons, Linda D. Moore, Kristy Limpscomb, Deston White, Kameca Webb, Ross Wabbington, IV., King Croft, La’Michael Powell, Katelyn Edwards, Kevin Russell, Jr., Aubrey Williams, Barbara Collins, Kelby Jai Winn, Kohlman Jay Winn, Wilma J. Austin, Kendrick Raby, Frederick Crawford, Kenneth Crawford, Ericka Butler, Caitlyn Dixon, Jakayla Quinnie, Quenterria Sheilds, DeUndra Hall Hunter, Booker Crawford, Tavion White, Rosie Robinson, Samuel Morton, Tommy Johnson, Tyler Johnson and John Deloach.
---Legal Notices--4tcg 12/17,24,31, 1/7 Legal Notices
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39 Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Paulk Construction, Inc. Contractor has completed the contract for the Mod AL146-1, IX, at Eutaw, AL for the Housing Authority of the City of Eutaw Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Mollie Rowe 301 Carver Cir Eutaw, AL 35462
Peace will come to those who seek, Faith will show the way. - Viola Berg
In Re: The estate of McDuff Williams. deceased. Letter of Testamentary having been granted to Kimberly Diane Agee on the 18th day of December, 2025, by the Honorable Rolonda M. Wedgeworth, Judge Probate of Greene County , Alabama , notice is hereby given that all perons having claims against said Estate are required to present those within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Kimbelry Diane Agree executrixof the estate of McDuff Williams, Deceased. WalterA. Griess Attorney for the Executie
Griess, Shaww & Willingham,PC.. 315 Main Street P.O. Box 528 Eutaw, Alabama 35462 Phone : 205-372-9333 Fax: 205-372-4027 E
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info@eutawlaw.com 3tcg 12/24, 31, 1/7 Legal Notices In the Probate Court of Greene County, Alabama In Re: The Estate of Erma Myrtle Hitt, Deceased. Notice of Hearing To: Martha Hitt Woodard Take notice a writing, purported to be the Last Will and Testament of Erma Myrtle Hitt was filed in my office for Probate by Adrianna Williams, and
that the 18th day of February, 2026 , at 10:00 o’clock, in the Probate Office of Greene County, Alabama, was appointed the day for hearing same, at which time your can appear an contest the said Will, if you see proper Ordered this 18th day fo December, 2025. Rolonda Wedgeworth Judge of Probate 3tcg 12/24, 31, 1/7 Legal Notices Notice is hereby given to Cassanda Taylor that the contents to unit #55 will be sold to the highest bidder at 8:00 a.m. on January 9, 2026 at Car Wash Storage located at 340 Greensboro Street Eutaw, Alabama 3tcg 12/17, 24, 31
NOTICE 50th Black Belt Folk Roots Festival
---Obituary--
Former West Alabama State Legislator, Bryant Melton, Jr. has passed away. Melton served in the Alabama House of Representatives as a Democrat from District 70 in Tuscaloosa from 1982 to 2006. The 85-year-old had most recently served as Associate Pastor at 1st African Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa since 2010. Melton was a native of Sprott in Perry County and graduated from Lincoln High School. While at Lin-
coln, he served as President of the SGA as well as the President of his Senior Class. He graduated from Stillman College with a BS Degree in Chemistry. He made Tuscaloosa his home where he was actively involved in numerous community activities. According to his church bio, he was a founding member of the Board of Directors of West Alabama Sickle Cell Association, a former member and Chairman of the Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Service Programs of West Alabama (CSP). He was also a founding member and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the McDonald Hughes Multi-Purpose Community Center. He oversaw a two-million-dollar expansion while serving as chairman. He took great
pride in serving as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America. Melton was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for a fraud scheme at the Alabama Fire College in 2008. He told U.S. District Judge Karon Bowdre, the judge in the case, "I have betrayed the public trust, and I have taken steps to correct it. I accept full responsibility for my actions". Melton gained significant respect for the way he handled his mistake and lived the remainder of his life. He did not let that define him. Bryant Melton left an important legacy that cannot be overlooked. He was a pioneering legislator who was the first black elected to public office in Tuscaloosa County since Reconstruction. That legacy includes helping to redesign the structure of Tuscaloosa city and county
governments and the city school board to be more representative of their populations. A public viewing is set for Friday, January 9, 2026, 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM at Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, 2615 Stillman Boulevard, Tuscaloosa. Visitation will be Saturday, January 10, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at First African Baptist Church, 2621 Stillman Boulevard, Tuscaloosa. Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 10, 2026, 12:00 Noon at First African Baptist Church. Interment will be Monday, January 12, 2026, 11:00 AM at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo.
Will Sit with Elderly For more information call 205 - 344-2718 or 1-659-216-4529 Doris Newell
Anniversary T-Shirts for sale $15 Sizes Available Now: L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Available at the Greene County Democrat’s Office 206 Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL 35462 205-372-0525
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TEMPORARY WORKERS FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT •Driver License is required •Semi-Skilled Work •Operates Light to Heavy Equipment Apply at Greene County Highway Department 521 Prairie Avenue Eutaw, Alabama 35462 (205) 372-3302 Hours of Operation: 7:00 am-3:00 pm Monday –Friday Timeline to Apply: Ongoing Greene County Highway Department Is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Page 8, The Greene County Democrat, Wednesday, January 7, 2026,
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