California Black Caucus, Other Leaders, Condemn Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision

Antonio Ray Harvey

California Black Media

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) held a press conference to condemn the recent Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) decision on affirmative action.

“In the wake of today’s Supreme Court decision, the California Legislative Black Caucus is extremely disappointed in the continual unraveling of hard-won fights for civil rights, equity, and the dismantling of systematic racism,” said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the CLBC.

“However, our unwavering commitment to continue the fight against the legacy of racism and discrimination that still impacts society today has not been shaken,” Wilson continued at the press conference held July 5. “We understand the work we do as legislators is vital to ensure equitable access and opportunity are available to Black Californians and remain steadfast in our dedication to advancing policies that improve the lives of all our constituents.”

On June 29, the SCOTUS ruled 6-3 to outlaw affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling resulted from cases brought against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina in which plaintiffs argued that affirmative action policies at those schools discriminated against Asian American and White Students.

The SCOTUS’ opinion which breaks with 45 years of legal precedent, states that considering students’ race to diversify student bodies violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause in the

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It was not clear whether the flames simply went out or were extinguished by someone. Prange noted that a garden hose was nearby.

One cross had either fallen over or been knocked down in a rock garden in front of Sylmar Christian Fellowship Church. The other two were scorched but remained upright.

Sylmar Christian pastor Pierre Howard, who is Black, said there had been no threats against the church, which he described as diverse.

“It`s a shame that people still want to do things like this in this day and age, “ Howard told reporters outside the church in the northern San Fernando Valley, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of downtown.

“It`s a multiracial congregation that we have, so there should be no issue. We have no issue, and I think it`s just someone that in a bad moment in time made a bad decision __ I hope that`s what it is,” he said.

Howard said the church has been in Sylmar for about 30 years and he became pastor when his father passed away.

“We have a diverse community,`` he said. ``We have Hispanic, we have Black, we have white, we have come as you are. We don`t really care. We see everyone. If you`re in the building, you`re in the building.”

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a social media post that it was investigating with the Fire Department, the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“Limited information is available pertaining to the crime at this time however, the public can be assured that all investigative resources will be utilized to capture the person or persons responsible,” the post said.

Maine`s Top Gambling Regulator Suspended for Tweets About Women and White Nationalists

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) –– Maine’s top gambling regulator was punished with a weeklong suspension without pay for tweets posted from his personal account about women and a white nationalist group, officials said Friday.

Milt Champion, executive director of the Gambling Control Unit, was placed on paid leave May 17 because of the tweets, and Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck announced the punishment Friday after an investigation. Champion must undergo training on workplace harassment and social media apologies in addition to the five-day suspension, Sauschuck said.

Champion, who will return to work on Monday, apologized for his actions.

“While the two tweets were intended to be humorous, I recognize they were anything but. They were a mistake and an error in judgment, and I apologize for my actions,” Champion said in a statement. “I thank the employees of the unit for their hard work and commitment in my absence.”

The tweets were posted May 6 and May 14, and were later removed.

In one of them, Champion tweeted about being told it was inappropriate to refer to women as “ladies” and then added a pejorative term for women. In the other, he replied that “at least they are not burning down cities and looting stores” in response to a tweet about a white nationalist group marching on the U.S. Capitol. Hired in 2016, Champion’s profile has grown after state lawmakers approved sports betting last year. He has more than three decades of history in the gambling sector, having taken part in opening casinos and later serving as a regulator in Florida and Maine.