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Biden signs policing order on anniversary of Floyd’s death Story on page 2
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Issue # 524
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May 30 - June 5 2022 Issue 524
Guest Commentary by Ben jealous
Pay attention - Roe v. Wade and the far right’s extreme plans Things are about to get worse for millions of vulnerable people in our country. It looks like the far right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court is getting ready to reverse Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old ruling that recognized a pregnant person’s right to have an abortion. Abortion is legal today, but pretty soon that will no longer be the case in most of the country. A leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling expected to be released in June indicates that the Court will rule that there is no constitutional protection for abortion. Bans will go into effect in many states immediately, and others will follow soon. That will leave millions of women and LGBTQ people — and their spouses and partners — less free and less in control of their own health, lives, and families. Like many laws and policy decisions handed down from on high, the harm will fall hardest on those with the fewest resources and political power — people of color and low-income people. It is hard to take. How did this happen? In the long term, it happened because opponents on the right to choose spent decades building a movement to make it happen. They invested time and money to elect like-minded politicians. They pushed Republican presidents to fill federal courts with judges who were willing, if not eager, to restrict or ban legal access to abortion. They made it a top priority when deciding whether and how to vote. In the short term, it happened because Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. To energize the Republican Party’s ideological base, Trump promised them judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade. They took the deal Trump offered. They turned out to vote. And with help from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Trump gave them kind of judges they wanted. And now that they have the power to impose their will, Americans’ freedom will shrink and American families will suffer. In fact, many are already suffering. Anti-choice activists have harassed and sometimes killed abortion providers. Judges have been letting state legislators pile on more and more restrictions on abortion care. As a result, in some states, the right to abortion care may exist in theory, but in reality, it is virtually nonexistent, because clinics and providers have disappeared.
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There are hard times and hard decisions ahead. There are also lessons to be learned and acted on. One important lesson is that the Supreme Court has a big impact on our lives, even though most of us don’t think about it in the day to day. We should all pay more attention. We should pay attention when the far right tells us what they plan to do with their political power. They have been loud and clear about their intent to overturn Roe v. Wade. But many Americans refused to believe that the threat to Roe v. Wade was real. They just could not imagine a 21st century America in which women and doctors are treated like criminals for seeking or providing abortion care. We no longer need to imagine that kind of scenario. We’re about to live it. And that’s why we also have to pay attention to the consequences of our voting behavior. For the most part, the judges who are letting states eliminate access to abortion are the same judges letting states limit voters’ access to the ballot box. They’re the same judges who restrict the government’s ability to regulate harmful corporate behavior. Many of them are the same judges who tried to deny millions of Americans access to health care provided by the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court justices and other federal judges who are put in place by the president and U.S. Senate have jobs for life. That means we are stuck with Trump’s judges for many years to come. And that means we all need to think long and hard about who we vote for — and about ever passing up the opportunity to vote. Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. A New York Times best-selling author, his next book “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free” will be published by Harper Collins in December 2022.
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Comcast RISE applications will open on June 1 By Panashe Matemba-Mutasa Mshale Comcast Corporation has announced that it will begin accepting applications for hundreds of grants that aim to benefit small businesses owned by minorities and women across 29 states. Known as Comcast RISE, the program will award grants, consulting media and creative production services, or technology upgrades to minority or women owned small businesses such as restaurants, salons, retail shops, and those that offer professional services, according to the corporation. “RISE” in the program name stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment.” As part of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, the Twin Cities will receive $1 million to grant 100 small businesses owned by people of color or women each with $10,000. The success of small businesses is an important part of what Comcast does, said Kalyn Hove, the regional senior vice president of Comcast Twin Cities. “We partner with small businesses to better understand their needs and what we can do to help them grow,” Hove said. “Our success is their success. That’s why, at a time when so many in our small business communities are struggling, it’s incredibly humbling to be able to give back and share our knowledge and resources with those hardest by the pandemic.” Minority-owned
businesses
in
the
United States—which make up about 18.7% of all businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and have historically struggled with underfunding—have been disproportionately affected by pandemicrelated economic hardships. A 2020 survey by McKinsey & Company found that the number of working African American entrepreneurs declined over 40% after the initial shutdown to control the spread of the coronavirus. Grants from foundations and companies like Comcast have become an important remedy to sustaining those that have survived. Recipients of the Comcast RISE grants span across 285 cities in 29 states. The initiative brings together two of the company’s brands—Comcast Business and Effectv, both of which have expertise working with small businesses—to empower minority business owners with the expertise and resources needed to navigate the economic effects of the pandemic, according to Comcast. The first phase of Comcast RISE focused on U.S. Black-owned, small businesses, those hit hardest by the pandemic according to a recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research. One of the past beneficiaries is Johanne Pradel Wilson, the owner of Cool Creative, a brand marketing agency based in Hollywood, Florida. Wilson said 2020 was a big challenge for her business. “We literally could not create anything new, because we couldn’t get our suppliers to make it,” Wilson said. The pandemic drastically slowed down
Dana Smith, owner of MinnyRow Market in Hopkins, Minnesota is a past recipient of a Comcast RISE tech makeover. Applications for the latest round of grants will open on June 1-14, 2022. Photo: Comcast Vimeo Screen grab
the opening of a store that they had planned for the spring of that year, Wilson said. “We’re thankful that we now have the opportunity to promote the store through TV advertising from Effectv, so we can let people know that COOL Creative is here and open for business,” Wilson said. Teresa Ward-Maupin, senior vice president for digital and customer experience at Comcast Business, said they created Comcast RISE to partner with small businesses and give them access to tools to help them survive the pandemic. “As we’ve gone through the selection process, it’s been so powerful to hear these business owners’ stories and see the tangible ways that we can help grow their businesses and impact their communities,” Ward-Maupin said. “I could not be more pleased to open this program to the entire [Black, Indigenous, and people of color] community and continue this posi-
tive momentum.” Le’Day Grant, the owner of MyKings Ice Cream, which is based in Denver, Colorado, said partnering with Comcast has helped her business recover from COVID19-related challenges. Grant said she hoped to leverage her new partnership with Comcast Business to improve her store’s online presence. “[The partnership] will set MyKings Ice Cream up to succeed and grow,” she said. To qualify for the Comcast RISE Investment Fund grant, a business must in operation for at least three years, have 25 or fewer full-time and part-time employees, and be at least 51% ownership and running by someone who identifies as a person of color, or a woman, according to the program’s website. The application—which will be opened from June 1-14—can be found at Comcast RISE. Recipients will be announced in July.
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May 30 - June 5 2022 Issue 524
Biden signs policing order on anniversary of Floyd’s death By Josh Boak and Chris Megerian WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday to improve accountability in policing —a meaningful but limited action on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death that reflected the challenges in addressing racism, excessive use of force and public safety when Congress is deadlocked on stronger measures. The event shaped by one tragedy occurred a day after a second one, a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school that killed 19 children and two teachers. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks that tried to comfort those affected by the shooting as well those who have suffered from police brutality, promising them that change could come eventually despite the partisan divides on Capitol Hill. “I know progress can be slow and frustrating,” Biden said. “Today we’re acting. We’re showing that speaking out matters. Being engaged matters. That the work of our time, healing the soul of this nation, is ongoing and unfinished and requires all of us never to give up.” Floyd’s family was in the audience at the White House as the president
President Joe Biden speaks as Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd, sits in the chair after Biden signed an executive order in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Washington. The order comes on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death, and is focused on policing. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
declared that “what we do in their memory matters.” With lawmakers unable to reach agreement on how to reform police policies or on efforts to reduce mass shootings, the president has limited avenues for advancing
his campaign promises. And as he tries to build consensus, Biden is also attempting to strike a balance between police and civil rights groups at a time when rising concerns about crime are eclipsing calls for reform.
Most of Biden’s order is focused on federal law enforcement agencies Floyd on Pg. 6
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Floyd from Pg. 4 — for example, requiring them to review and revise policies on use of force. It will also create a database to help track officer misconduct, according to the White House. Although the administration cannot require local police departments to participate in the database, which is intended to prevent problem officers from hopping from job to job, officials are looking for ways to use federal funding to encourage their cooperation. In addition, the order is designed to restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police. Many organizations and lawmakers said the order was an important but incomplete step forward. “While this action does not have the long-term impact that we had hoped for,” Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said in a statement, “it does represent incremental progress, and we need to commit ourselves to making progress every day.” The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police both engaged with the Biden administration on the order. They said that they “see many components of the order as a blueprint for future congressional action.” Yet not everyone was satisfied. “President Biden’s executive order is a poor excuse for the transformation of public safety that he promised the Black voters who put him in office,” the Movement for Black Lives, a civil rights group, said in a statement.
President Joe Biden signs an executive order in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Washington. The order comes on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death, and is focused on policing. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
However, transforming the initial outcry into political change has proven difficult. When four officers were convicted last year for killing Floyd, Biden urged Congress to pass legislation to reform police by the anniversary of his death. The guilty verdict was “not enough,” he said, and “we can’t stop here.”
rather than wait for Congress. Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who helped lead the talks, said the order will enhance transparency, accountability and policing standards. But he noted that additional efforts will be needed for the police to improve relationships with the people they are to protect and serve. “Across the United States, there is a
Department curtailed federal agents’ use of no-knock warrants — which allow law enforcement agents to enter a home without announcing their presence — and updated its policy to prohibit agents from using chokeholds in most circumstances. But extending such rules to local police is more challenging, and White House officials have spent months in negotiations with civil rights groups and police organizations. The resulting set of policies is less extensive than originally sought, not to mention delayed by a year. “We know full well that an executive order cannot address America’s policing crisis the same way Congress has the ability to, but we’ve got to do everything we can,” said a statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson. The order goes beyond issues involving misconduct and use of force. It also assesses the impact of facial recognition software on civil liberties, looks for ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in federal correctional facilities and suggests better ways to collect data on police practices. Biden is only the latest president to sign an executive order on police reform. His predecessor, Trump, signed a similar order less than a month after Floyd’s death in 2020 aimed at curbing police brutality. It provided federal dollars to departments that met certain credentialing standards on the use of force. One of the elements of the order called for the establishment of a database tracking terminations, criminal convictions and civil judgments against law enforcement officers for excessive use of force.
President Joe Biden greets Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd, after he signed an executive order in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Washington. The order comes on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death, and is focused on policing. Watching are Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif. Photo:Alex Brandon/AP
Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests two years ago. It was the largest series of demonstrations in American history, occurring in the midst of coronavirus lockdowns and President Donald Trump’s divisive reelection campaign.
However, no legislation was passed, and bipartisan talks dragged on, and later broke down. The White House eventually decided to move forward with executive actions
deficit of trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect – particularly Black and Brown communities,” Booker said. In September, the Justice
Former President Barack Obama also tried to push for police reform through a task force he formed in 2014. One of that task force’s recommendations was an expansion of an already existing database of officers who had been decertified. Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.
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Art & Entertainment
Vieux Farka Touré concert brings largest audience to the Dakota since start of the pandemic By Susan Budig Mshale Vieux Farka Touré took the stage at The Dakota on Wednesday night (May 18th). After a brief offstage introduction, he politely acknowledged his audience, sat down along with his bass guitarist and his percussionist, then launched straight into deeply traditional Malian music. The first three numbers brought the rich sounds of Mali to the “largest audience [for the Dakota] since the pandemic began.” Fellow Malian, Adama Kone, played the calabash using small hand-held mallets. His impeccable timing rivaling a metronome. On bass guitar, Marshall Henry who hails from New York, provided scaffolding on which Farka Touré could riff and dazzle as he electronified music originally played acoustically. When Mshale spoke to Farka Touré last month, he’d said the pandemic provided him extended time to delve into his country’s roots and his research was evident as he played for us. Though wearing a metallic bronze tunic and trousers, he wasn’t showy. His performance sparkled because of his prowess on
Vieux Farka Touré of Mali (left) performed to a full house at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. It was the largest audience at the downtown venue since the pandemic started. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale
guitar and his skill in composition.
His first football season, Isaiah told us, ‘Wear a jersey with my name on it. I want everyone to know you’re here for me.’ Darnell and Denna, adopted 16-year-old Isaiah LEARN ABOUT ADOPTING A TEEN YO U C A N ’ T I M AG I N E T H E R E WA R D
A D O P T U S K I D S . O R G
His fingers ran over the frets like
water tumbling down a waterfall.
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You
+ Fair Housing
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A Better Community
The solution to housing discrimination starts with you. If you have been trying to buy or rent a house or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, contact HUD or your local fair housing center. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status or disability.
Fair Housing Is Your Right. Use It. Visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing or call the HUD Hotline 1-800-669-9777 (English/Español) 1-800-927-9275 (TTY)
SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO A public service message from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. For more information, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing.