The Lookout: What You Should Know About California’s New Gun Laws Page A7
Rudolph Isley, Founding Member of Isley Brothers and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member, Dies at 84 Page A3
News Observer Bakersfield
Volume 50 Number 7
Serving Kern County for Over 49 Years
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 137th Anniversary By Jason Land Jr. Contributing Writer “Cherishing the Past and Looking to the Future. The Way We Were.” Devotees of Christ from all corners of Bakersfield came together in fellowship to celebrate the 137th anniversary of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. This joyous occasion brought together a diverse congregation, including city officials and members of various church communities, all eager to reflect on the blessings and legacy of Mt. Zion.On the evening of October 15, 2023, a sense of anticipation filled the air as people gathered at the historic Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church located at 825 California Ave. The afternoon ignited with fervent passion as Sisters Cloete Daniels and Brittany S. Johnson from Mt. Zion set the stage for what would become a transformative evening. From the awe-inspiring musical performances to the deeply moving devotionals, Mt. Zion radiated with jubilant energy, a testament to its enduring legacy and unwavering
(PhotoCredit: Jason Land Jr.)
sense of community. “We all have sinned, but we are saved by grace… Sister Pamela Smith took the podium to narrate the If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Reverend sprawling history of Mt. Zion, highlighting the church’s Timothy Grays, Sr. humble origins, which commenced with a mere 13 devoted For many in the community, church is a spiritual members. She spoke of the church’s unwavering resilience in hospital, and on October 15th, Mt. Zion was celebrated the face of adversity, enduring both fire and condemnation for being the place where any man is welcome in the eyes due to structural issues. Sister Pamela paid tribute to the of God. countless men and women who, through their unwavering trust in God, played pivotal roles in preserving the enduring strength and fortitude of Mt. Zion. “The first church service took place in a location close to California and M street. As the congregation grew, they moved to the second location near 13th and P St. where the [McMurtrey] Aquatic Center is located. In 1893, Miss Fanny Reese, one of the Charter Members, loaned the church money to purchase the property. This was a rented structure, with wooden blocks for the foundation. In 1912, the 13th St. location was sold, and the third location— which is currently located here on the corner of California and P St. was attained.” — Sister Pamela Smith, Chairperson of 137th Church Anniversary Program Committee Mt. Zion’s anniversary celebration was not just a reflection of its rich history but also a tribute to the profound impact it has made on the community through various outreach initiatives. Among these remarkable programs are the WeCare Ministry, ROC (Reaching our Community with Love), the Angel-Tree Project, The Butterfly Project, Agape International Ministry, Faith In Action, Feed The Homeless, and numerous others! If the great history of Mt. Zion wasn’t sufficient to captivate even the most disinterested, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the heartfelt tribute to revered honorees. The ‘seasoned’ members of Mt. Zion were celebrated for their unwavering devotion to their spiritual journey with God. One of the honorees was the current and longest pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Hiawatha T. Calhoun. Guest preacher, Reverend Timothy Grays Sr., of New Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church delivered a message worthy of the monumental 137th Anniversary of Mt. Zion. “Look where God has brought us from,” he proclaimed in reference to the trials and tribulations the (PhotoCredit: Jason Land Jr.) church community has withstood.
Van Ellis, 102-Year-Old Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor, Dies A statement released by the family stated, “Mr. Hughes Van Ellis, 102, passed Mon. Oct. 9th at 11:30 am in Denver, Colorado. A loving family man, he was known as “Uncle Redd.” He was among the three last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the most horrific acts of racist terrorism on American soil. A WWII war veteran, Mr. Ellis, bravely served America, even as he spent a lifetime awaiting atonement related to the Tulsa Race Massacre.
By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor One of only three known survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre has died on October 9 at the age of 102 years old. Hughes Van Ellis, 102, died in Denver, Colorado on the morning of October 9. Van Ellis was born on Jan.11, 1921. The two last known survivors of the Tulles Race Massacre are now Viola Ford Fletcher, 109 and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 108. The Greenwood District was a prosperous African American community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, often referred to as “Black Wall Street.” It was a thriving business district with a vibrant Black cultural and economic life, home to many Black-owned businesses and residences. On May 31, 1921, a young Black man named Dick Rowland was falsely accused of assaulting a young white woman named Sarah Page in an elevator. The allegation led to Rowland’s arrest and tensions escalated as rumors spread about the incident. At the time, Hughes Van Ellis was three months old. Over the years there have been several attempts to earn damage rewards for the destruction of life and property by the white community in Tulsa. None of the challenges have been successful so far. A statement released by the family stated, “Mr. Hughes Van Ellis, 102, passed Mon. Oct. 9th at 11:30 am in Denver, Colorado. A loving family man, he was known as “Uncle Redd.” He was among the three last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the most
horrific acts of racist terrorism on American soil. A WWII war veteran, Mr. Ellis, bravely served America, even as he spent a lifetime awaiting atonement related to the Tulsa Race Massacre. Mr. Ellis was aware, that survivors, his sister Mrs. Viola Ford Fletcher, 109, Mrs. Lessie Benningfield Randle, 108, and family descendants were recently at our state capitol as part of an interim study focused on 2001 state-commissioned reparation recommendations. Two days ago, Mr. Ellis, urged us to keep fighting for justice. In the midst of his death, there remains an undying sense of right and wrong. Mr. Ellis was assured we would remain steadfast and we repeated to him his own words, “We Are One” and we lastly expressed our love. The scripture of Jeremiah 6 reads “This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” We celebrate the rare life of Mr. Hughes Van Ellis who still inspires us!” Funeral details are not yet known. Van Ellis’ funeral ceremony is likely to be another touchpoint around the issue of reparations for the damage done to members of the Black community as a result of systemic racism. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke
Hughes Van Ellis (Photo: JusticeForGreenwood.org )
New England Town Considers Accelerating Reparations Timeline in Pioneering Initiative By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Officials in Amherst, Massachusetts, are contemplating accelerating their groundbreaking reparations initiative. Located in the so-called Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, Amherst established one of the nation’s first reparation funds for Black residents two years ago, and town officials are now deliberating options to expedite the allocation of the $2 million endowment. The Amherst Town Council sought to address historical injustices resulting from slavery and discrimination in 2020 as a response to widespread protests following the tragic death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Officials said the fund’s inception marked a significant stride towards reconciliation and equity. The proposed funding plan, equivalent to the annual tax revenue generated
from cannabis sales, currently stands at an estimated $200,000 annually. The original strategy entailed a decadelong effort to grow the fund before disbursing up to $100,000 yearly in the town, where the Black population constitutes approximately 6%. The Assembly, which the town manager appointed, now favors a potentially shorter timeline. One proposition suggests allocating $100,000 from cannabis tax revenue annually towards reparations. Another option is to achieve the $2 million target in four years rather than the initially envisioned 10. “The recommendations we’ve made will begin to make this space one that is more inviting, welcoming, and hospitable for people of African descent,” asserted Amilcar Shabazz, a distinguished member of the Assembly and a professor in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts. Shabazz, who authored
a comprehensive book on reparations, emphasized the transformative potential of the endeavor. Amherst joins a growing roster of American communities, organizations, and institutions committed to providing reparations for Black individuals. The movement spans states like California, cities like Providence, religious denominations including the Episcopal Church, and prestigious colleges such as Georgetown University. Advocates in Amherst have pointed to Evanston, Illinois, which recently became the first U.S. city to implement reparations. Evanston’s program utilizes tax revenues from marijuana sales to provide eligible Black residents with $25,000 housing grants for down payments, repairs, or existing mortgages. California has also made significant strides in the pursuit of reparations, with a task force presenting lawmakers with a report Continued on page A10
Take One!
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Leak in LA Council Racism Scandal May Have Come from 2 Ex-labor Employees
LOS ANGELES (AP) –- Police say two former employees of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor are the focus of an investigation into a secret recording of several City Council members and a labor leader that entangled City Hall in a racism scandal. The aftermath shook public trust in government and led to the resignations of then-Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez and the powerful labor leader. Councilman Kevin de León has resisted calls for his ouster, including from President Joe Biden, and is running for reelection. The scandal was triggered by a leaked recording of crude, racist comments during a private meeting in 2021 at the labor federation`s headquarters involving Martinez, de León and two others all Latino Democrats in which they plotted to expand their political power at the expense of Black voters during a realignment of council district boundaries. Rivalries among groups separated by race, geography, partisanship or religion have a long history in Los Angeles and the country. The friction can cross into housing, education and jobs even prisons as well as the spoils of political power. The former labor federation employees who are under investigation were not identified in a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department late Wednesday. Detectives are following up on prosecutors’ requests for additional information, according to the statement, which indicated felony eavesdropping charges could be filed. “A case involving this incident was presented to our office and sent back to law enforcement for further investigation,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney`s Office said in a statement Thursday. “Please note that we cannot confirm the target(s) of the investigation at this time.” A representative for the labor federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Judge Upholds Most Serious Charges in Deadly Arrest of Black Driver Ronald Greene By JIM MUSTIAN
Associated Press FARMERVILLE, La. (AP) –- A judge delivered a victory Monday to the state prosecution of white Louisiana lawmen in the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, allowing the most serious charge of negligent homicide to go forward against a trooper captured on body-camera video dragging the Black motorist by his ankle shackles and forcing him to lie facedown in the dirt. The case had been steeped in uncertainty in recent months after the judge dismissed obstruction charges against two other troopers, leaving three officers still facing charges. “My heart is lifted by this,`` said Greene`s mother, Mona Hardin. ``We shouldn’t have waited four plus years, but we’re still moving forward.” Master Trooper Kory York had sought dismissal of the negligent homicide and malfeasance charges against him after prosecutors acknowledged an extraordinary oversight in which they improperly allowed a use-offorce expert to review statements York made during an internal affairs inquiry. Such compelled interviews may be used to discipline officers administratively but are specifically shielded from use in criminal cases. But Judge Thomas Rogers ruled Monday that the prosecutors` blunder did not taint York`s indictment, and that the use-of-force expert, Seth Stoughton, had drawn his conclusions not from the protected interview but the graphic body-camera footage of Greene`s deadly arrest on a rural roadside outside Monroe. Stoughton concluded that the troopers used “egregiously disproportionate” force in detaining Greene. “We don’t need to hear no more –– just show the video,” prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump told reporters outside the Union Parish Courthouse this summer. “The killing of Ronald Greene is just as tragic as the killing of George Floyd, of Ahmaud Arbery, of Tyre Nichols. It is as tragic of a killing by police on a citizen as I have witnessed on video.” State police initially blamed Greene’s May 10, 2019, death on a car crash at the end a high-speed chase. After officials refused for more than two years to release the body-camera video, the AP obtained and published the footage showing white troopers converging on Greene before he could get out of his car as he wailed: “I’m your brother! I’m scared!” As Greene moaned and writhed in the dirt, York ordered the heavyset man to “shut up” and “lay on your f------ belly like I told you to!” One trooper can be seen striking Greene in the head and later boasting, “I beat the ever-living f--out of him.” That trooper, Chris Hollingsworth, was widely considered the most culpable of the half-dozen officers involved, but he died in a high-speed, singlevehicle crash in 2020, hours after he was informed he would be fired for his role in Greene’s arrest. York’s defense attorney, J. Michael Small, was expected to appeal the ruling. “With all due respect,”he said, “I strongly disagree with the court`s decision. The stakes could not have been higher for District Attorney John Belton and special prosecutor Hugo Holland, who have faced mounting criticism over their handling of the case. Had Rogers dismissed the charges of negligent homicide and malfeasance in office against York, prosecutors would have been unable to seek a new indictment under Louisiana’s statute of limitations. The ruling comes amid new calls for the U.S. Justice Department to bring its own indictment against the troopers. Federal prosecutors have been weighing civil rights charges for years amid a grand jury investigation that examined whether Louisiana State Police brass obstructed justice by dragging their feet and protecting the troopers involved in Greene`s arrest. In a previous ruling, the judge let stand an obstruction of justice charge against Lt. John Clary, the ranking officer during Greene’s arrest who is accused of withholding his body camera footage from investigators. Clary’s 30- minute footage is the only clip showing the moment a handcuffed, bloody Greene moans under the weight of two troopers, twitches and then goes still. The only other remaining charges are two counts of malfeasance against Chris Harpin, a former Union Parish deputy sheriff who taunted Greene before he stopped breathing: “Yeah, yeah, that s__- hurts, doesn’t it?”