Bakersfield News Observer 11.15.23

Lyrics Can Be Used as Evidence During

Rapper Young Thug’s Trial on Gang and Racketeering Charges Page A3

Homeless and Foster Youth are Suspended at Disproportionate

UCLA Project Explores Solutions, Responses for Addressing Hate

McKenzie Jackson California Black Media

Aaron Ellis, 43, has personally experienced the pain and animosity victims of hate incidents suffer.

On Jan. 30, Ellis, an editor for a press release service and a Black resident of San Dimas, was dressed in his workout clothes and wearing a backpack filled with bricks to increase the intensity of his workout when as he started to walk around his Charter Oak neighborhood in the San Gabriel Valley, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department cruiser pulled up and directed him to halt.

Within moments, Ellis reported that the officer aggressively slammed him against the cruiser hood, frisked and handcuffed him, and tossed him in the backseat of the patrol car. Someone had accused Ellis of peeking into parked vehicles. Ellis, barely 10 minutes into his 45-minute workout, said he was dumbfounded and terrified.

“The deputy said they got a call that someone matching my description was trying to break into cars,” Ellis recalled.

“I said that was absurd because I just started walking. I was on the street so short of a time I didn’t have a chance to come around cars.”

The officer, Ellis remembered, acted like everything about him was suspicious. Not having his ID with him didn’t help. Two additional police cars arrived, and the deputy who detained Ellis said they would release him if they could verify that no crimes had occurred.

Ultimately, Ellis was released. After a tense exchange with the deputy, he walked home and told his wife what occurred.

Ellis’ dad filed a complaint at a sheriff’s station.

The actions and presumed biases of the person who called 911 and the Latino deputy who detained Ellis were rooted in hate, Ellis believed.

“I can’t think of any other reason someone would call the police on me and say some heinous, straight-up lies unless it was race based,” he said. “As far as the actions of the police, they were just responding to a call. How I was treated though — they didn’t give me a certain benefit of the doubt they would have given other people.”

UCLA’s Initiative to Study Hate aims to understand and mitigate the kind of hate Ellis experienced at the hands of law enforcement and other forms this societal issue takes. For example, how hate shows up in groups, institutions and even organizations that form to fight against it.

The three-year social impact project, launched in

October 2022 with the support of a $3 million unanimous donation, brings together scholars from various specialties to explore topics such as the impact of social media hate speech on youths, racial bias in health care settings, the neurobiology underlying hate, and the unexpected areas where hate appears in daily life.

The initiative’s director, David Myers, the UCLA Sady and Ludwig Kahn Professor of Jewish History, recently said in a press release that hate is pervasive and vexing.

“But in just one year, we have gained important new insights into how it functions and how we might better address it,” he said.

During the study’s first year, researchers investigated topics including the treatment of Black youth experiencing suicidal thoughts, the roles of Black and Latinx youth in gun prevention programs, the hyper-sexualization of Asian women and the crimes in the U.S. motivated by race and gender, and how partisan media has spurred right-wing extremism.

Researchers discovered that hate speech on social media affected 80% of fifth to 12th graders with 47% cyberbullied. Additionally, 75% of unhoused peoples experienced discrimination within a month, with over half stating they had been harassed or threatened.

The project will launch a podcast series within the next year and work in partnership with the California Commission on the State of Hate to develop resources and guidance for governments and communities to reduce and respond to hate activity. Another partnership with UCLA’s Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies will put a spotlight on antisemitism in the U.S. and across the globe.

The research is set to continue. A team will explore historical approaches to combat hate and how its definition can hinder its mitigation. Another group will broaden its study of hate and cyberbullying on social media to include college students. Other researchers will analyze hate’s impact on youth and the media and information landscape, racism in childbirth, and anti-Black hate.

In an email to California Black Media (CBM), Meyers said future initiatives to study hate will examine Islamophobia and Antisemitism in response to the headline-grabbing news pouring out of the conflicts in Israel and Palestinian lands. Initiative fellow and social scientist Kevin Gatter said the project brings scholars together to push through challenges.

“This initiative is a testament to the importance of drawing from other fields in order to produce research that will have a greater impact,” he said.

Hate crimes and incidents are on the rise in California – and they continue to impact Blacks more than any other race. According to the California Department of Justice, in 2022 hate crimes involving racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia increased by more than 20%.

Ellis said, overall, most of his experiences with people in his area are friendly. Now, he is concerned about the source of the hate he experienced.

“The ones who lurk in the shadows are who I worry about,” Ellis said. “The person who called the police on me, I still don’t know who that is. That is why I don’t go down that street.”

Myers said the UCLA initiative is more than a school project. “We don’t want to simply to know how hate works,” he said. “We want to eradicate it.”

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

As Gov’t Invests Billions in Infrastructure Advocates Say

“It Costs” to Sideline Blacks, Other Minorities

As California and the federal government invests trillions of dollars in infrastructure projects, advocates say there’s a cost for not guaranteeing equitable racial and ethnic participation in contracting, as firms are hired to carry out the necessary work.

In California, many of the firms owned by Blacks and other minorities qualify as Historically Underutilized Businesses, a U.S. Small Business Administration certification that prioritizes companies in the procurement process.

“Inequity costs everybody,” said Ingrid Merriwether, a member of the Equity Infrastructure Project (EIP)Advisory Council and CEO of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services (MWIS).

Merriwether told California Black Media (CBM), “Things cost more because you don’t have enough competition. In public contracting, they award business on the lowest responsive bidder,” she said. “When you have fewer people competing, people are paying more. With tax dollars involved, we are all paying more.”

Merriwether and other advocates are working to ensure more Black-owned and other minority-owned firms gain from California’s upcoming taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects through government contracts.

In California, where more than 99% of all businesses are designated small businesses and 45% are minorityowned, advocates stress the importance of fair contracting according to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).

Merriwether played a key role in the creation and administration of the LA Regional Contractor Development and Bonding Program (CDABP). MWIS has administered successful contractor development programs for the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Metro, County of Los Angeles, Alameda County, and the City and County of San Francisco – the latter for over 20 years. These programs have facilitated over $1 billion in bonding for small local contractors and have saved public sponsors over $22 million due to low bids from program participants.

In 2021, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, mandating a minimum of 10% of its funding for surface transportation projects go to ‘small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled proposals to streamline projects, declaring that the state will invest up to $180 billion towards clean infrastructure over the next decade. His office predicts this investment will generate 400,000 quality jobs while helping to achieve the state’s climate goals. “The only way to achieve California’s world-leading

climate goals is to build, build, build – faster,” said Newsom, speaking at the site of a future solar farm in Stanislaus County.

“This proposal is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in half a century,” the Governor continued. “It’s time to make the most out of taxpayer dollars and deliver results while creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs.”

Newsom says that California is funding statewide construction projects. Funding will come from previous state budgets and from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

On the local level, organizations are doing their part to increase equity when it comes to diverse firms landing infrastructure contracts. In Los Angeles, the CDABP is actively helping small, local and diverse contractors build their business capacities and access millions of dollars in contracts. The program helps fund surety bonds which can be expensive barriers for smaller firms fighting for contracts, and financing for firms whose cash flow is held up during the long wait for approval to pay workers after completing government jobs.

Critics of government preferences for minority-owned businesses claim that programs raise costs and invite fraud.

In 2019, $300 million in federal contracts intended for minority-owned businesses went to business owners with false claims of Native American Heritage.

Another concern critics share is that smaller firms have a lower work completion rate. The industry ‘loss ratio’ or number of contractors who do not finish the job is 20% in the United States.

However, with a track record of having less than a 1% surety bond guarantee default rate for program-enrolled contractors, Merriwether envisions being able to facilitate access to contract funding once they’ve been successful in winning contracts with the program’s public agency sponsors.

“We’ve been able to demonstrate that these contractors are also competent. If you provide equitable resources, they can compete, they can be low bidders and they successfully complete their contracts compared to their peers,” she pointed out. We’ve been very fortunate to demonstrate the true potential of these firms. What we want to do is amplify what we’ve been doing on a small scale to show folks that this is what we need to be doing on a national scale; using public funding as an appropriate source to change these dynamics and supply chain for small minority business. It’s the right thing to do.”

EIP was formed in April 2022 to leverage infrastructure spending to build wealth in underserved communities. It has persuaded several municipalities, including the California State Transpiration Agency to pledge more infrastructure funds to HUBs. On October 11, 2022, EIP and five other state-level departments of transportation signed an equity pledge in Washington, DC.

“Some may say that our work is about infrastructure or contracting, and indeed it is. Most importantly, however, our mission is about people,” said Co-Founders Phil Washington and John Porcari in a letter on EIP’s status.

“It’s about creating careers in underserved communities. It’s about creating generational wealth and closing the racial wealth gap to break long-lasting cycles. It’s about people’s economic security and peace of mind.”

“The recommendations are the result of meeting with Californians from all walks of life—elected officials from around the state and heads of major transportation agencies but also community leaders and members,” said former Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a press release.

“Centering community and advancing equity is essential in this work, as is promoting environmental sustainability and expanding economic opportunity for all.

Learn more about the CDABP and find out how to apply for state government procurement in California.

California Officer Involved in Police Shooting Resigns Over Racist Texts

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) –– A California police officer involved in a controversial shooting last year has resigned after the discovery of racist text messages he wrote, including some making light of the shooting, a police chief says.

Mark McNamara, who joined the San Jose Police Department in 2017, quit last week after being notified of an investigation into his offensive messages, Police Chief Anthony Mata told the Bay Area News Group. Mata said McNamara was being investigated by the department’s internal affairs unit for an unrelated and unspecified matter, and that led to the revelation that he “had sent disgusting text messages that demonstrated racial bias.”

A dossier of text messages show McNamara talking to two unnamed recipients and referring to the March 27, 2022, shooting of K’aun Green, according to the chief.

McNamara shot and wounded Green, who is Black, after Green appeared to have quelled a fight that broke out inside an eatery near San Jose State University. Green disarmed one of the people in the fight, and was backing out of the front door, holding a confiscated handgun in the air, when he was shot, according to police.

In a text message dated the day after the shooting, McNamara appears to refer to Green with a racial slur. Other messages from June 2023 appear to have been sent while McNamara was being interviewed by the City Attorney’s Office and Green’s legal team, which sued the city over the shooting.

Adanté Pointer, whose firm Lawyers for the People is representing Green, said the messages affirmed to him that the shooting of his client “was driven by racial animus.”

Contact information for McNamara could not be found Sunday.

San Jose Police Officers’ Association President Steve Slack said the text message investigation “is a disconcerting reminder that not everyone has the moral compass necessary to be in the law enforcement profession ... This behavior is beyond unacceptable, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”

“Nope” Star Keke Palmer Alleges Physical Abuse by Ex-Boyfriend

LOS ANGELES (AP) –– “Nope” star Keke Palmer alleges in civil court documents that she suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, with whom she shares a son.

The filing this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court included a request for a domestic violence restraining order against Darius Jackson, 29. Judge Wendy L. Wilcox on Thursday issued a temporary order pending a Dec. 5 hearing.

Telephone messages seeking comment from Jackson were left on voicemail at a number associated with his address as listed in the court filing. The documents did not list any attorney who might comment on his behalf.

Incidents of violence, both recent and in the past, were described in a legal declaration under the actor`s real name, Lauren Palmer. She said she dated Jackson from June 2021 until the relationship ended this past October because of physical and emotional abuse.

“On Sunday, November 5, Darius trespassed into my home, physically attacked me, knocked me over my couch and pinned me down, and stole my phone after I threatened to call the police. This was all caught on home surveillance video,” the declaration said.

Among other incidents, she wrote, Jackson became “irrationally angry” at a party in February 2022 when she showed him a picture of herself in a bikini demonstrating workout results. At home, the declaration stated, she was slammed onto the floor and slapped, and the next morning she was grabbed by the neck and body-slammed onto a stairway. Palmer, 30, also alleged an incident involving their baby, who was born this past February. Palmer said Jackson started “getting rough” with the baby while changing his diaper and she stepped in, resulting in what almost became “a tug of war.” Palmer said that while she was finishing the diaper change, Jackson struck her on the head and stormed out.

Palmer`s civil action seeks sole legal and physical custody of their son. Representatives for Palmer did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment from the star.

Palmer, who started acting at age 9, had her first big breakthrough with “Akeelah and the Bee.” In addition to her film and television work, she`s also starred on Broadway, released music, hosted talk shows and written a book.

Ingrid Merriwether, President & CEO (Courtesy Photo)

Edward Henderson California Black Media

(Photo: UCLA website)

Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta Release Data

That Links Domestic and Gun Violence

Antonio Ray Harvey

Black Media

California

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office released data that established which demonstrated a connection between domestic violence and gun violence, and highlighted the risks women face in abusive relationships. The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV), reports that women being abused by male partners who own guns are five times more likely to be murdered by their abusive partners. From 2013 to 2022, women accounted for 83% of victims killed in domestic violence-related gun homicides by a current or former intimate partner.

“The data is clear. People who commit domestic violence and abuse, they simply should not have firearms,” Bonta said during a news conference on Nov. 6, at the office of WEAVE in Sacramento’s Midtown. WEAVE is the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

The California Department of Justice “Domestic Violence Involving Firearms in California” report explores the effect of firearm-related domestic violence incidents involving firearms throughout California. It covers the state’s long-term progress in reducing domestic violence involving firearms, the significant increases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the large differences among counties across the state, and the impacts on different populations based on victims’ reported sex, age, and race or ethnicity.

The report broadly defines “domestic violence” to include both family-related and intimate partner-related violence, which may occur in “public as well as private spaces.” The data indicates that the state’s efforts have helped significantly reduce the incidence of domestic violence, especially incidents involving firearms.

California’s population grew from 31,274,928 in 1993 to 39,437,610 in 2019, a 26% increase. Correspondingly, on a per capita basis, from 1993 to 2019, California law enforcement agencies reported a 53% reduction in domestic violence-related homicides and a 61% reduction in domestic violence-related gun homicides.

Researchers estimate that about 4.5 million women alive today have been threatened by an inmate partner with a gun and that nearly one million have been shot, shot at, or had a gun used against them by an inmate partner. The report highlights that there are significant differences across California communities in rates of reported domestic violence involving firearms. Los Angeles County, for

example, recorded 184,956 domestic violence calls between 2018 and 2022, with 2,908 calls involving firearms.

In addition, the counties of Alameda reported 27,482 calls (265 involving firearms), San Francisco had 16,509 (105), Sacramento reported 24,752 (247), Riverside 34,464 (212), and San Diego listed 88,497 calls (523 involving firearms) during the four-year span.

“Violence is not an accident. It is also not inevitable, and it can be prevented. Removing dangerous weapons from people who pose a danger to others is key to that goal,” Bonta stated. “This report gives an in-depth look at the ties between domestic violence and firearms, shining a light on the problem at hand, and illuminating the path to safety before us.”

Recognizing the dangerous connection between domestic violence and gun violence, California has adopted and invested in policies that enhance safety for survivors and the community, the report states.

Bonta launched the Department of Justice’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) in 2022 with the mission of supporting data-driven and impact-driven efforts to prevent gun violence and related traumas.

From 2013 to 2022, California law enforcement agencies reported 1,254-gun homicides where the suspected offenders were identified as a current or former intimate partner or family member of the victim, based on the OGVP’s analysis of victims’ race and ethnicity.

A majority (38%) of these domestic violence gun homicide victims in California were identified as non-Hispanic White, followed closely by Hispanic victims (33%). However, Black victims (13%) were disproportionately represented among adult female, male, and minor victims of domestic violence gun homicides. The Black population of California accounts for about 5.7% of the state’s population of nearly 40 million people.

“Survivors deserve to begin their pathway to healing with laws that promote their safety. We refuse to leave domestic violence survivors and communities behind -especially Black and Native women who disproportionately feel the impacts of gun violence,” stated Rocci Jackson, Gun Violence Restraining Order Community Analyst at the CPEDV.

Bonta held the news conference one day before the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments in the U.S. v. Rahimi, a case involving a Second Amendment challenge to a federal law disarming individuals subject to certain Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs).

The report highlights California’s efforts to empower and protect survivors by providing a range of support

services, offering crisis intervention and safety planning

options, providing DVROs, and enforcing laws to protect against gun violence.

Bonta urges the SCOTUS to reverse a decision that would endanger domestic violence victims and allow firearms to remain in the hands of their abusers. The Fifth Circuit vacated the criminal conviction of a defendant who had possessed a firearm while subject to a DVRO, which a state court in Texas issued against him after finding he had assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s decision in U.S. v. Rahimi would, Bonta expressed, invalidate a federal law that prohibits adjudicated domestic abusers subject to DVROs from possessing firearms.

On August 22, 2023, Bonta joined a coalition of 25 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case, urging the Supreme Court to strike down the Fifth Court’s decision and reaffirming California’s commitment to preventing gun violence through protective orders such as DVROs.

“No one should ever fear becoming a victim of gun violence, let alone at the hands of

Racial Disparities Highlighted as October Breaks Global Temperature Records

By Stacy M. Brown

BakersfieldNews Observer

Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation August 11, 1980, Kern County Superior Court Decree, Case No. 16964, Government Code 6023.

Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385

Published By Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Corporate Office 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 324-9466.

Member of The National Newspapers

Publishers Association, Associated Press, and The Better Business Bureau

President: Ellen Coley

CEO: Jon Coley

Publisher/ Editor: James Luckey Jr. Operations Manager: James Luckey

Intern: William Clark Coley

Credo-The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back.

The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management and are solely the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.

Bakersfield News Observer Los Angeles News Observer The Valley’s News Observer

1219 20th St. Bakersfield, Ca 93301 Mailing

Address P.O. Box 2341 Bakersfield, CA 93303

Phone (661) 324-9466 Fax (661) 324-9472

Emails and general info: observernews@gmail. com, Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail. com Available online: www.ognsc.com

degrees Fahrenheit), has astonished experts.

And as extreme weather patterns increasingly become the new normal, it is not surprising to find that African Americans are disproportionately affected. Research from the Gallup Center on Black Voices underscored the disparities in confidence, preparedness, and resource accessibility between racial and ethnic groups. Black and Hispanic Americans report lower levels of confidence in their preparedness and less access to vital resources compared to their white counterparts.

While most respondents across all racial and ethnic groups agree that they have access to reliable weather warnings and someone to call for help during extreme weather events, the margin is narrower for Black and Hispanic Americans. White Americans outpace both groups by approximately ten percentage points on each measure, indicating a higher level of preparedness and ability to recover.

According to Gallup, the most significant divide emerges in the perception of community support during natural disasters or extreme weather events. Compared to white Americans, Hispanic adults lag by 13 percentage points, while Black adults fall behind by 18 points. Relocation statistics, which show that 14% of Black Americans and 11% of Hispanic Americans have relocated, either temporarily or permanently, due to extreme weather events, are further evidence of this disparity.

The climate crisis is exacerbating these disparities, with the Copernicus Climate Change Service noting that a contributing factor is the reduced capacity of oceans to mitigate global warming, which is historically responsible for absorbing up to 90% of excess heat from climate

This milestone marks the fifth consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures, setting the stage for the hottest year ever recorded.

change. This drop in oceanic regulation and El Niño’s effect (a natural climate cycle that raises ocean temperatures temporarily and changes global weather patterns) make it look like more warming is coming in the coming months.

According to Gallup researchers, 2023 has seen a notable increase in unusual weather events like floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, tornadoes, and wildfires. This trend is expected to continue, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicating a high likelihood

of an increased frequency and severity of such events in the coming decades.

“2023 has been a notable year for abnormal weather events, which have caused considerable impact to life and property,” Gallup researchers concluded. “According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it is very likely that these types of events – floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, tornadoes, wildfires and more – will increase in frequency and/or severity in the coming decades.”

Longest Serving Black Staffer in Congressional History, Dies at 81

“Bertie Bowman was a trailblazing South Carolinian and the longest-serving Black staffer on Capitol Hill. His dedication to public service is an inspiration to us all. May he Rest in Power,” wrote Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn in tribute.

By

Lauren Victoria Burke

NNPA Newswire Contributor Herbert “Bertie” Bowman arrived in Washington, D.C. in 1944.  He took a job sweeping the steps at the U.S. Capitol at 13 to become a well-known and very well regarded staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Bowman died at 81 after heart surgery on October 25. “Bertie Bowman was a trailblazing South Carolinian and the longest-serving Black staffer on Capitol Hill. His dedication to public service is an inspiration to us all. May he Rest in Power,” wrote Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn in tribute. Bowman encountered everyone on Capitol Hill from southern segregationists to future presidents of the United States from Bill Clinton as a 20-year-old intern to Senator Joe Biden who would become a future Vice President and President.  Former President Clinton called Bowman, “a first-rate example of the men and women who love our country and work hard every day with little fanfare to keep it running. I’ll always be grateful for every encounter I had with him over the years.” Bowman was the fifth of 14 children and his parents were sharecroppers in South Carolina. In 2008, he wrote his autobiography “Step by Step.” His book detailed an incredible personal story about a man who navigated racial segregation in the Jim Crow south to become a respected confidant in the corridors of power. Before his retirement in 1990, Bertie Bowman had worked for the Foreign Relations Committee for twenty-

dia

five years, first as committee clerk and then as assistant hearing coordinator. Bowman then operated a

for Washington VIPs.  In 2000, Bowman returned to federal service at the Foreign Relations Committee after the committee chairman, Senator Jesse Helms, hired him back to the Senate after a ten-year hiatus.

“For 57 years - 57 years! - if you served on or appeared in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, you knew the big smile, the booming laugh, and the bear hug of Bertie Bowman. His title may have been “hearing coordinator” but it could’ve just as easily been “heart and soul.” I first met him when I came to testify at 27

On Nov. 6,  Attorney General Rob Bonta (second from left) released the second report about the status of domestic violence in California at the Sacramento office of WEAVE, a provider of crisis intervention services for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Bill Clark/Roll Call, Public domain, via Wikime-

Commons

limousine service

Lyrics Can Be Used as Evidence During Rapper Young Thug’s Trial on Gang and Racketeering Charges

By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) __ When rapper Young Thug goes to trial later this month on gang and racketeering charges, prosecutors will be allowed to use rap lyrics as evidence against him, a judge ruled Thursday.

Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville said in court he would allow prosecutors to introduce 17 sets of lyrics they have identified as long as they can show that the lyrics are related to crimes that the rapper and others are accused of committing. Defense attorneys had asked the judge to exclude them, arguing the lyrics are constitutionally protected speech and would be unfairly prejudicial.

Young Thug, whose given name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was indicted last year along with more than two dozen others. After some defendants reached plea deals and others were separated to be tried later, opening statements are set to begin Nov. 27 in the trial of Young Thug and five others.

Prosecutors have said Young Thug co-founded a violent criminal street gang in 2012 called Young Slime Life, or YSL, which they allege is associated with the national Bloods gang. Prosecutors say the rapper used his music and social media posts to promote the gang, which they say was behind a variety of violent crimes, including killings, shootings and carjackings.

Young Thug has had enormous success as a rapper and has his own music label, Young Stoner Life. Defense attorneys have said YSL is just a music label, not a gang. Artists on his record label are considered part of the "Slime Family," and a compilation album, "Slime Language 2," rose to No. 1 on the charts in April 2021. He co-wrote the hit "This is America" with Childish Gambino, which became the first hip-hop track to win the song of the year Grammy in 2019.

Prosecutors used Georgia`s expansive gang and antiracketeering laws to bring the indictment. All of the

defendants were accused of conspiring to violate the antiracketeering law, and the indictment includes rap lyrics that prosecutors allege are overt acts "in furtherance of the conspiracy."

"The question is not rap lyrics. The question is gang lyrics," prosecutor Mike Carlson told the judge during a hearing Wednesday, later adding. "These are party admissions. They happen to come in the form of lyrics." Carlson argued that First Amendment speech protections do not apply because the defendants are not being prosecuted for their lyrics. Instead, he said, the lyrics refer to the criminal act or the criminal intent related to the charges.

Prosecutor Simone Hylton separated the lyrics into three categories: those that prove the existence of YSL as an enterprise, those that show the gang`s behavior and actions, and those that show that Young Thug is a leader of the gang.

Defense attorney Doug Weinstein, who represents defendant Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, argued during the hearing that rap is the only art form or musical genre that is brought into court as evidence of crimes.

He said his client`s lyrics are a performance done as a character, not admissions of real-world things he`s done. But, Weinstein asserted, because of the nature of rap music, with its violence and extreme language, the lyrics will unfairly prejudice the jury.

"They`re going to look at these lyrics and instantly say they are guilty," he said. "They are not going to look at the evidence that`s actually probative of their guilt once these lyrics get in front of them."

As Hollywood Scrambles to Get Back to Work, Stars and Politicians Alike React to Strike Ending

By LINDSEY BAHR

AP Film Writer

Hollywood jumped into planning mode Thursday at the news of a tentative agreement between striking actors and the major entertainment companies.

After 118 days of most productions shut down and most stars unable to promote projects, publicists, studios and awards strategists went into hyperdrive plotting out how to best use their newly available talent for what`s left of the year –– and awards season.

Just hours after the tentative agreement was announced, "The Marvels" star Iman Vellani was already being offered to press for interviews. The Walt Disney Co. movie, which cost over $200 million to produce, opens this weekend with showtimes starting as early as Thursday afternoon. Searchlight Pictures also started actively planning things for Michael Fassbender, who stars in Taika Waititi`s "Next Goal Wins," out next week.

One of the top priorities for the industry is getting actors back on set, whether for major blockbusters like "Gladiator 2" or "Deadpool 3`` to try to salvage the 2024

movie release calendar that`s already been impacted by the six- month stretch during which writers and actors were striking.

Others were scrambling to kickstart promotion for holiday movie season blockbusters, with Timothée Chalamet now able to talk about "Wonka" and Jason Momoa on the hook for "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom." Both had been announced as the next two "Saturday Night Live" hosts before the agreement was reached.

Although the agreement still has to be approved by Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists members, there was widespread relief that the standoff would not continue into 2024. President Joe Biden applauded the agreement, saying that "collective bargaining works."

"When both sides come to the table to negotiate in earnest they can make businesses stronger and allow workers to secure pay and benefits that help them raise families and retire with dignity," Biden said Thursday.

"SAG-AFTRA members will have the final say on this contract, but the sacrifices they've made will ensure a better future for them,

their families, and all workers who deserve a fair share of the value they helped create."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the tentative agreement "will benefit our economy statewide and kickstart a new wave of exciting projects."

He added: "I am thankful that we can now get this iconic industry back to work, not only for our writers and actors, but also the more than two million workers who power our world-class entertainment sector."

"As someone who used to live below the poverty line, hauled ass to auditions and struggled to live, I have experienced firsthand how these things matter," Lui wrote.

"Bravo and see you on set!"

Albert Brooks, also on X, wrote that he could finally tell people to watch the documentary about him. His friend Rob Reiner directed "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life," which premieres Saturday on HBO and Max.

"I can't wait for you to see it," Brooks wrote. "Couldn't say a word until now!! "

"Abbott Elementary" creator and star Quinta Brunson wrote "we're very back" in her Instagram. Brunson's

writing team had already been back in the room, but the strike's suspension clears the way for filming. Some, like Justine Bateman, were a little more cautious.

"Let's look at the terms first,`` she wrote on X. The holidays will surely be busy for Hollywood`s top actors, especially awards hopefuls. Several contenders have had interim agreements that have allowed stars to do press, like "Priscilla" and "Ferrari," but others will be starting fresh with their actors hitting the campaign trail including Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein film "Maestro," with Carey Mulligan, Venice winner "Poor Things," with Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, TIFF winner "American Fiction, " with Jeffrey Wright, Ridley Scott's "Napoleon," with Joaquin Phoenix, and "The Color Purple. " Others are already in theaters or streaming but can now play catch-up too like Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," with Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert DeNiro, Alexander Payne's " The Holdovers," with Paul Giamatti, and " Nyad," with Annette Bening and Jodie Foster.

in this court as follows: Date: January 12, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: J-1 Room: Address of court: same as noted above IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California

Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legaI authority may affect your rights as creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: JOHN T. HRANEK, ESQ. 31165 Temecula Parkway, Ste. 351, Temecula, CA 92592-9375 Telephone: (916) 252-9466

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Nov 15, 22, 29, 2023

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF KERN 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Same Bakersfield, CA 93301 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o

de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de

FBI Seizes NYC Mayor Eric Adams’s Electronic Devices Admidst Ivestigation

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA

Newswire Senior National Corresponden

FBI agents confiscated electronic devices belonging to New York City Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week, intensifying a criminal inquiry into potential collaboration with the Turkish government, among others, in an alleged scheme to funnel funds into Adams’ 2021 campaign coffers.

According to a New York Times report, the incident unfolded after an event at New York University, where agents approached the mayor and requested his security detail to step aside. Armed with a court-authorized warrant, the agents joined Adams in his SUV and seized at least two cellphones and an iPad.

The Times said the electronic devices were returned

to the mayor within days of the Nov. 6 encounter. It is common practice for law enforcement investigators armed with a search warrant to make copies of data from seized devices for further analysis.

Boyd Johnson, a lawyer representing Adams and his campaign, issued a statement asserting the mayor’s cooperation with federal authorities. Johnson stated that Adams had already “proactively reported” at least one instance of improper behavior upon learning of the federal investigation. “In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators,” Johnson added.

Emphasizing that authorities had not accused Adams of wrongdoing, Johnson reiterated that the mayor swiftly complied with the FBI’s request and willingly provided

them with his electronic devices.

However, not all reactions to the news were supportive.

Curtis Sliwa, a former New York City mayoral candidate, called for Adams’s resignation. “He’s too distracted by the multiple investigations into his fundraising to lead New York City,” Sliwa insisted.

Chris Sosa, a member of the New York Democratic Committee, echoed similar sentiments, urging Adams to step down immediately. “Our leaders need to demand that he step down for the health of our city,” Sosa wrote on X. “I’m not suggesting anything about the outcome of investigations. But the mayor cannot execute his duties effectively under these escalating circumstances.”

Overhaul Needed: Tackling Youth Incarceration and Racial Disparities

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In its report, “System Reforms to Reduce Youth Incarceration: Why We Must Explore Every Option Before Removing Any Young Person from Home,” the Sentencing Project challenges the prevalent practice of youth incarceration. The study highlights the inefficacy of youth incarceration and underscores the urgent need for state and local youth justice systems to prioritize alternative-toincarceration programs.

Research shows that it is rarely necessary or effective to incarcerate adolescent offenders, the authors concluded. Instead, incarceration often heightens the likelihood of repeat offenses, impedes educational and employment prospects, and exposes youth to harmful environments. Unsurprisingly, these negative impacts disproportionately affect youth of color, particularly African Americans.

According to the Vera Institute of Justice, more than eighty percent of all arrests involve low-level, nonviolent offenses associated with poverty. Further disconcerting, although Black males comprise just 13% of the total

Although Black males comprise just 13% of the total population, they represent an astounding 35% of those incarcerated.

population, they represent an astounding 35% of those incarcerated. Additionally, compared to their white counterparts, Black youth are over four times more likely to be detained or committed to juvenile facilities.

The Sentencing Project said it wants youth justice leaders and legislators to recognize and fix the current failed strategy, and deal with the racial inequalities. The organization supports using alternatives to incarceration in most cases, except when there is a clear danger to public safety. The Sentencing Project’s report delineates a comprehensive agenda of state and local reforms, drawing from successful implementations nationwide. The authors note proposed changes that include not sending children to state-run youth prisons for certain crimes, providing incentives to local courts to avoid sending kids to state custody, and using the funds saved from releasing kids for other programs.

Officials at the Sentencing Project suggest making changes at the local level. They recommend reducing the number of individuals who are sent to prison early in the legal process. It also suggests changing the way probation is done so that it helps people succeed in the long term.

Finally, the report recommends not putting young people in jail for breaking probation rules.

To effectively reduce youth incarceration, the report

authors emphasized the need for collaboration between justice systems, families, and community partners. The authors insists that staff members who are highly motivated and trained must implement alternative-to-incarceration programs per core principles. They argue that efforts should be made to address the biases causing racial and ethnic disparities in confinement in the American youth justice system.

“The research is clear that incarceration is not necessary or effective in the vast majority of delinquency cases,” said Richard Mendel, Senior Research Fellow at The Sentencing Project. “Most state and local youth justice systems continue to employ problematic policies and practices that often lead to incarceration of youth who pose minimal or modest risk to public safety. It’s essential that state and local jurisdictions seize every opportunity to keep young people safely at home with their families, in their schools, and communities.”

California Unveils Historic Monument

Honoring Native American History

Newsom has his primary office.

Over 500 tribal members, dignitaries and students witnessed the unveiling of the statue last week.

“We’re still here against great odds, odds we’ve seen our people go through, many historical challenges in the state of California. We’re still here because of the resilience of our elders and ancestors,” continued Ramos, chairperson of the California Native American Legislative Caucus.

Ramos said the monument is representative “resilency” of the indigenous people and how they are still “much ingrained in the thread of the state of California.”

“On this historic day, here on Nov. 7, the California people will have a monument on the Capitol grounds for all those visiting to see that we are still here,” said Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), who presided over the event.

In 2020, on the Fourth of July, about 200 protestors gathered at the State Capitol to denounce the death of George Floyd and demand racial justice, police reform and equality for Black people. During that demonstration, protestors toppled a statue of Saint Junípero Serra (Miguel Jose Serra), a Spanish Franciscan Catholic priest,

which was installed in 1967 and stood on the northeast side of the building.

The new bronze statue of Franklin celebrating California’s indigenous heritage replaces Serra’s on land that was once owned by Native American tribes. The monument is the 10th addition to a park that memorializes California’s firefighters, veterans, and public safety officers.

In 2021, Ramos authored Assembly Bill (AB) 338 in 2021, which authorized the monument.

Ramos is the first Native American Californian elected to the legislature since California obtained statehood in 1850. AB 338 was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2021. In November 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony for the installation of Franklin’s likeness was held at the same location.

“This unveiling signifies the start of a new era at the California State Capitol,” said Jesus Tarango, chairman of Wilton Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe in Northern California.

“Every tribe across the state has their own Bill Franklin, a leader who fought to keep our cultures and traditions alive during a time where it was dangerous to do so. This monument serves to thank and honor each one of them,” Six tribes from northern California supported Ramos’s legislation. Members of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, Chicken Ranch Rancheria, Barona Bandof Mission Indian, Wilton Rancheria, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, and Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians made the monument and dedication possible.

Newsom says the construction of the statue action sends a powerful message from the grounds of Capitol Park to people across California. It underscores “the state’s commitment to reckoning with our past and working to advance a California for All built on our values of inclusion and equity,” Newsom stated.

Franklin was a Miwok Indian leader and cultural preservationist whose efforts conserved the history and promoted the Miwok and other Native American cultures, most notably, the traditional dances. He was born on Sept. 12, 1912, in Nashville, a town in El Dorado County. Franklin passed away on May 2, 2000.

The Miwok skirt dancer portrayed in the monument created by artist Ronnie Frostad is modeled after Franklin. The Miwok leader was responsible for building three “roundhouses” that are dedicated spaces for Native American ceremonies, songs, dances, and gatherings.

During the ceremony, cultural presentations by the Kalte Crew of Wilton Rancheria, Shingle Springs Traditional Dancers, and Tuolumne Me-Wuk Dancers were intermittently performed.

“This sort of recognition for our people is long overdue and represents an important step toward telling the true history of California,” stated Sara Dutschke, chairperson of Ione Band of Miwok Indians.

Efforts to replace Serra’s statue predated its unceremonious toppling during the Floyd protests. For years, various monuments commemorating the priest around the state had been the target of advocates, historians and activists, who said missions led by the priest beatified by Pope John II on Sept. 25, 1988, contributed to the displacement and destruction of Native American tribes in California.

“As Native Americans, we have been invisible, romanticized, minimized, or disparaged for centuries,” Ramos stated. “That is not easily or quickly undone. But I am proud to be Native American and proud to be a Californian.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks to attendees while they take part in the New York Democrats for Election Night Watch Party with Governor Kathy Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado during New York primary election 2022 in New York, U.S., June 28, 2022.

(Photo by Eduardo Munoz/REUTERS)

Asm. James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), center, the chairperson of the Native American Legislative Caucus, authored AB 338, which authorized the California Native American Monument. Ramos is pictured with tribal chairpersons Jesus Tarango, right, from the Wilton Rancheria tribe, and Sara Dutschke, left, from the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. The monument pays tribute to six tribes in the Sacramento Region. Nov. 7, 2023. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

The family of Miwok leader and cultural preservationist William “Bill” Franklin stands in front of the California Native American Monument in Capitol Park. The monument, created in the likeness of Franklin, is the first to honor Native American people on the grounds of the State Capitol. Nov. 7, 2023. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media California has erected an eight-foot statue honoring Miwok elder William “Bill” Franklin, and 338 Native American tribes. Located on the grounds of the State Capitol in Sacramento, it is the first official monument honoring Native American heritage at the historic building where the Legislature convenes and where Gov. Gavin

A Historic Celebration of Black Journalism Sacramento Observer’s 60th Anniversary Gala

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA

Newswire Senior National Correspondent

SACRAMENTO, CA –– In a dazzling yet elegant celebration, the Sacramento Observer, a beacon of the Black Press, commemorated its 60th anniversary, bringing together community leaders, supporters, and acclaimed artists. The event, held at the landmark Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in California’s capital city, not only honored the historical significance of the Observer but also highlighted its enduring relevance in today’s dynamic media landscape. The Observer enjoys as rich a history as any other newspaper – Black, or white-owned. It began with the vision of its founders, Dr. Bill and Kathryn Lee. In 1963, the couple embarked on a mission to establish a publication serving as a voice for the Black community

in Sacramento. From its humble beginnings, the Observer rapidly evolved, becoming one of the fastest-growing publications in the history of African American journalism. Larry Lee, the impassioned publisher who took over the newspaper after his father’s death in 2019, emotionally absorbed the significance of the celebration. “I think the celebration was a wonderful example of how we should honor an institution as important as any,” Lee stated. He underscored the power of vividly illustrating the historical importance of the Observer through various mediums, including a 100-page book, videos, and testimonials. Lee emphasized the Observer’s and the Black Press’s commitment to serving communities that often are underserved by mainstream media. “I was born in the Black Press, and I’m going to die in the Black Press,” Lee declared. “The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) represents that to me. I love NNPA, and I love the Black Press.” The NNPA is the trade association of more than 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies in the United States. The Observer is a proud member of the NNPA. Reflecting on the event’s success, Lee acknowledged the support from leaders in the community, corporate entities, philanthropic organizations, and partners like the Google News Initiative. He credited the months of planning, relationship-building, and collaboration with supporters for executing the celebration in a way that paid homage to the Observer’s legacy. Attendees echoed Lee’s sentiments, many of whom expressed how pleased Bill and Kathryn Lee, the late founders, would have been. “My father would have said this event was as good as anything that we’d ever done. He would have been proud,” Larry Lee stated. Frank McComb, a world-renowned soul jazz recording artist who graced the event with a stirring performance

of a bevy of jazzy tunes, shared his honor in being part of the celebration. “To be called to such an event, I feel honored because of the history,” he said. McComb emphasized the importance of having a vision, not just a dream, drawing inspiration from the Observer’s founder,

who had a vision leading to this influential institution’s establishment. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, the first African American to serve in that role, praised the Observer’s impact. “The Observer has meant so much not only to the city of Sacramento but to the state,” Weber said during a pre-event cocktail party. She recognized the publication’s role in highlighting the community’s greatness and the state of California. “The love and trust we all have in the Observer really is unmatched,” she stated. The celebration included the presentation of the Observer’s 60th-anniversary Living Legacy Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. Among the recipients were Weber, Margaret Fortune, Chet Hewitt, and Bishop Parnell Lovelace Jr. The Colour of Music Orchestra, which celebrates Black classical composers and performers, backed McCombs during the evening and opened the night with a stirring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Adrienne Bankert, an award-winning national news anchor, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, and Rev. Mark Meeks of the City Church provided the benediction. The event also included an invocation by Pastor Tamara Bennett and a Native American Land Acknowledgment by Albert Titman Sr. of Miwuk, Nisenan. Earlier this year the Observer won the 2023 National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Newspaper of the Year, with Larry Lee earning Publisher of the Year honors. NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, Wave Newspapers CEO Pluria Marshall Jr., and the NNPA’s Let It Be Known morning show team, including Producer Greer Marshall and digital stars Dawn Montgomery and “Totally Randie,” were among those representing the Black Press. “The celebration … the evening, set the bar for all of the Black Press,” Dr. Chavis proclaimed.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Becomes First Divine Nine Sorority to Raise $1 Million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Rasheeda S. Liberty, International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho stated, “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated is grateful for the opportunity to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s work to find cures and help save the lives of children all over the world.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - a historically Black sorority - has completed a historic pledge made in 2021 to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. This achievement comes days before the international collegiate and nonprofit community service organization’s 101st anniversary, marking over a century of commitment to helping those in need.

At the time of the original announcement, Sigma Gamma Rho had already raised nearly $500,000 for St. Jude. As part of the push to reach $1 million, Sigma Gamma Rho pledged a three-year sponsorship for the annual St. Jude Walk/Run, held during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month each September.

Since then, Sigma Gamma Rho has reached its goal in large part through its participation in the St. Jude Walk/ Run. In 2023, the organization entered more than 200 Walk/Run teams in cities across the United States, helping it cross the fundraising finish line this year.

Rasheeda S. Liberty, International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho stated, “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated is grateful for the opportunity to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s work to find cures and help save the lives of children all over the world. I am proud of the mobilization of our global membership to reach this $1,000,000 milestone, and to have done so just prior to our 101st Founders’ Day. This accomplishment aligns with our sorority’s motto, “Greater Service, Greater Progress”. We look forward to continuing our partnership with St. Jude in the years to come.”

Support from organizations like Sigma Gamma Rho helps ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live.

“We’re so grateful for and honored by the incredible heart and dedicated service shown by Sigma Gamma Rho,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “This is a milestone accomplishment by Sigma Gamma Rho and its members all over the world that will help St. Jude continue making progress in improving survival rates for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

Join Sigma Gamma Rho in helping St. Jude accelerate research and treatment for children around the world with cancer, sickle cell and other diseases.

About Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated  Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis by Seven African-American Women Educators. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession. The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Ghana, Germany, Japan, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Arab Emirates. The organization also has active affiliate groups devoted to empowering women at different stages in life. The Rhoer Club Affiliates (teenage girls) and Philos Affiliates (friends of the sorority) also assist chapters with various service efforts and programs.

Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.” The sorority has a proud history of providing positive and proactive community outreach nationally and internationally. The programs, partnerships, and sponsorships represent Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to promoting the greater good in education, service, and leadership development.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

Larry Lee, the impassioned publisher who took over the newspaper after his father’s death in 2019, emotionally absorbed the significance of the celebration. (Photo by Russell Stiger Jr.)

News Nation’s “Morning In America” host Adrienne Bankert holds up a copy of the 100-page commemorative book during The Sacramento Observer’s 60th anniversary gala celebration. Bankert served as the night’s emcee. (Photo by Russell Stiger)

Sacramento Observer publisher Larry Lee is shown with California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber during The Observer’s 60th anniversary gala celebration. Dr. Weber was one of the night’s honorees. (Photo by Russell Stiger Jr.)

Sacramento Observer publisher Larry Lee accepts a resolution from Regina Brown-Wilson, executive director of California Black Media during The Observer’s 60th anniversary gala celebration. (Photo by Russell Stiger Jr.)

California Black Media Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed

Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media Gov. Newsom, Mayor

Bass Respond to Los Angeles Freeway Fire

On Nov. 11, Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency after a fire at two nearby wooden pallet storage yards – covering an area of nearly eight acres -- engulfed the Interstate 10 freeway in downtown Los Angeles, shutting down the busy throughfare where an estimated 300,000 vehicles traverse daily. The blaze downed power lines, compromised the underside of freeway 10, damaged several vehicles and affected a section of the highway from Alameda St. to the downtown interchange, including an overpass. Highway guardrails and support columns sustained significant damage.

“I have directed all city departments to immediately plan for how to address increased traffic due to this closure to best mitigate the impact on Angelenos and we will continue to urgently coordinate with our state partners to resolve this issue for not only the millions who use this freeway, but also for those who live and work in the

surrounding areas,” Bass said in a statement. Authorities have closed traffic in both directions on the route that connects the coastal city of Santa Monica with other parts of Los Angeles before running inland into San Bernadino and Palm Springs. It continues into Arizona and across the United States, terminating in Jacksonville, Fla.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to Mayor Karen Bass’ office. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths.

On Nov. 12, Newsom and Bass along with state and local officials held a press conference to update Californians on the investigation into the cause and origins of the fire; the extent, nature and cost of the damage; and how the state and city are responding with the help of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and other federal authorities. Before the briefing, Newsom, Bass and California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin toured the Newsomdamage. said he’s “sober and mindful” about the urgency to reopen the freeway.

“The President of the United States will be in California within 48 hours. That’s encouraging as well.” Newsom added. “The White House has appropriately taken this seriously because of the economic consequences.”

Angelenos can get or sign up for emergency alerts and information on alternative routes here.

For Veterans Day, Rep. Barbara Lee Stresses Health Care

In recognition of Veterans Day on Nov. 12, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) urged military veterans to submit claims for burn pit exposure, which research has shown is linked to several illnesses, including some cancers.

“This Veterans Day, let us recognize the courageous servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation,” stated Lee, whose father was also a servicemember.

According to Lee, funds for treating veterans affected by ailments linked to burn pit exposure was made possible by the Honoring Our PACT Act, federal legislation President Biden signed into law in 2022.

“It delivered more than $2.46 billion dollars in PACT Act benefits to veterans,” the statement from Lee’s office read.

“Additionally, 1,103,860 total PACT Act-related claims have been submitted, more than 4.6 million veterans have received new toxic exposure screenings, and more than 426,000 new veterans have enrolled in VA health care,” Lee’s statement continued.

Lee is currently in the race for California U.S. Senator.

According to a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted in October, at 9%, Lee is trailing three frontrunners: Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) at 17%; Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-30) at 16%; and Republican Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player at 10%.

Do You Know Your Voter Status?

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber Releases Latest Voter Registration Report

On Nov 6., California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber released her department’s latest voter Report of Registration in anticipation of the March 2024 primary elections.

The report, which covers a 154-day period ending Oct. 3, 2024, provides a running count of California voter registrations with data gathered from elections offices in the state’s 58 counties.

About 22.1 million people or 82.91% of eligible voters in the state have registered to vote.

Among registered voters, Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 50% with 46.82% or 10.3 million voters. Republicans account for 23.9% (5.2 million voters) followed by voters with no party preference at 22.2% (4.9 million voters).

Californians who are registered to vote can also check or change their pollical party and vote-by-mail preferences on the Secretary of State’s website.

The Report of Registration includes:

Voter registration by political party, county, city, congressional district, state senate district, state assembly district, state board of equalization district, county supervisorial district, and political subdivision

Statewide voter registration by age group and by county Historical comparisons to previous reports in oddnumbered year

Voter registration by political bodies attempting to qualify as political parties (by county)

Californians who are not yet registered to vote can do so or update their voter registration online as well.

California Is Celebrating Its Sixth Annual “United Against Hate Week”

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is joining local governments, advocates, and other partners to launch the United Against Hate Week (UAHW) in Berkeley on Nov. 13.

The initiative was started by local government leaders and elected officials in the Bay Area after several hate groups held rallies in San Francisco and Berkeley.

UAHW activities organized to raise awareness about hate and promote cross-racial and ethnic unity will run from Nov. 12 to 18.

“The week is marked by individuals and community organizations coming together to host events and take action to help combat a national and statewide increase in hate,” reads a press release from the CRD.

“In California, reported hate crimes have reached their highest levels since 2001 -- jumping more than 20% from 2021 to 2022. As part of the state’s response to hate, the California Civil Rights Department recently launched CA vs Hate, a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal,” the press release continues.

Held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center in Berkeley, the Nov. 13 launch ceremony featured several prominent speakers, including Becky Monroe, Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs at the California Civil Rights Department; Rick Callender, President of the California and Hawaii State Conference, NAACP; Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco); Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín. Ilan Davidson, President, L.A. County Commission on Human Relations; Patrice

Strategic Advisor, Not In Our Town.

Chronic Absenteeism Rates in California Schools Are Improving

Last week, the California Department of Education

(CDE), officially released its assessment of student absenteeism in the context of the state’s recovery effort from the COVID-19 pandemic. All student groups showed improved chronic absenteeism rates, with the largest declines demonstrated by American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, Pacific Islander, and African American students.

The chronic absenteeism rate measures the number of students who missed 10% of the days they were expected to attend for any reason.

In addition, the average number of days absent decreased to 14.6 from a high of 16.7 in the 2021–22 school year. The total Chronic Absenteeism Eligible Enrollment was 301,921.

Black students accounted for 110,537 or 36.6%.

The results include data for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).

Compared with other states that have released chronic absenteeism data for the 2022–23 school year. California’s current rate is lower than states including Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, and Ohio.

“These results suggest that California’s public schools are beginning to turn the corner on pandemic recovery, with gains on most assessments and a substantial reduction in chronic absenteeism, especially for our most vulnerable groups of students,” California State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said in a statement.

“Our Governor and Legislature have substantially increased funding for schools to enable educators to invest in effective strategies like high-dose tutoring, after school and summer learning, mental health supports, and universal preschool to accelerate learning and engage students,” Darling-Hammond added.

O’Neill, Founder and Co-Director, Not In Our Town; Pardeep Singh Kaleka, Senior

CA State Board of Education president Linda Darling-Hammond (Photo: Rod Searcey)

On Veterans Day, U.S. Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA_12) joined members of the East Bay veteran community to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the USS Hornet and its 25th anniversary at a museum in Alameda. (Photo: Courtesy of Rep. Barbara Lee’s Facebook page)

Homeless and Foster Youth are Suspended at Disproportionate Rates in California Schools

By Janell Gore South Kern Sol

When children are disciplined in schools, a common outcome is being sent home on suspension; a recent study looks into how this affects homeless and foster youth.

The study Lost Instruction Time in California Schools: The Disparte Harm from Post-Pandemic Punitive Suspensions was done by the UCLA Civil Rights Project and the National Center for Youth Law. According to the study, foster youth lost 77 days of instruction per 100 enrolled students, and homeless youth lost 26 days per 100 students due to suspension.

“School administrators need to ask themselves what educational or community benefit is achieved when we punish homeless and foster children by sending them home,” says Ramon Flores, Ph.D. candidate in education at UCLA and co-author of the report in a press release.

“For homeless and foster youth, when they are suspended out of school, the consequences may be grave.”

Digging deeper, the study also broke down racial disparities amongst homeless youth and saw that AfricanAmerican students faced higher rates of suspensions than White students, who also had a high rate. AfricanAmerican foster students lost 121 days of instruction per 100 enrolled, and homeless students lost 69 days per 100 students. White foster and homeless students lost 79 and 36 days per 100 students.

According to the study, Kern High School District (KHSD) had high rates of loss of instruction in the 20212022 school and had an increase from the 2018- 2019 school year for the following groups.  African-American students (79.7, up 12.0) American Indians/ Alaskan Natives (55.1, up 42.4) Pacific Islanders (19.7, up 4.0)

Since Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the largest district in California and has the lowest rates for loss of instruction, the study used them as a comparison. Compared to LAUSD, KHSD was the “worst,” with their rates for African-American students being 40 times higher than the rate for all students in LAUSD.

Co-author Dan Losen stated that 20 is their threshold for considering the amount of loss of instruction days high. KHSD is about four times the threshold for AfricanAmerican students.

Losen is a researcher and a lawyer and stated he has been focused on the school-to-prison pipeline for the past 23 years. The American Civil Liberties Union describes the school-to-prison pipeline as when students are funneled from the education system to the prison system. This national trend directly results from students being suspended and expelled from school. It disproportionately impacts students of color, with disabilities, and, in the case of this study, foster and homeless youth.

“This is absurd and outrageous. I didn’t realize that foster youth, for example, would have been the group that had the highest suspension rates and that homeless youth would be a close second. Obviously, the school district could be doing more to support those students who experience adverse childhood experiences,” said Losen. He continued to say that it shows the need to work with students and provide teachers with resources to help students. When it comes to teachers being equipped to handle students with behavioral issues, Losen spoke about his experience as a public school teacher for 10 years.

“I wasn’t well equipped my first year, but I did receive support and training from my principal and directly from the school district that had a training program for teachers in place that dramatically helped me move from one those teachers that just was constantly sending kids to the principal’s office to almost never doing that,” said Losen. “That was not without some work on my part as well the fact that I was in a district that did provide adequate support and had training available.”

Losen explained that many of the suspensions are still for minor offenses and that there is no educationally sound reason for sending them home. One example he gave for this is profanity and vulgar language or paraphernalia like smokeless tobacco.

“Sure, you can confiscate the paraphernalia, but why remove the student from educational opportunity?” asked Losen.  He continued to say that in his research with districts throughout the United States, most of the suspensions were for out-of-classroom behavior.

“There’s no reason to think sending a student to be homeless either out on the streets or in a group home for two days because they used profanity in the hallway; that makes no sense. There’s no educationally sound justification. What it does is it puts them at greater risk of gang involvement or crime in the community. It does nothing but deprive them of educational opportunities,” said Losen.  For Losen, the best thing that helped him with the change in how he handled disrespect for students was to not take anything they said or did personally. He also worked more to call attention to when the students were doing things right.

“I would call parents when maybe a student that had been difficult to handle did something really good in the classroom or did something really kind to a peer. Anything that was legitimately worth noting, I would call their parents,” said Losen. “Oftentimes, that was the first time that parent had ever gotten a positive call from school about their child.”

He stated that this sent a message to the students

that he was looking out for them in a positive way and established a more trusting relationship.

Anthony Fuentes, a KHSD teacher and Bakersfield City School District board member, stated that suspensions get a kid out of school, but they don’t address the actual issue.

“Suspensions are sort of by nature not restorative. Not the best way to fix the problems we have,” said Fuentes.

As a board member, he sees both sides and said he advocates for kids going through a restorative process so they are in school and the behaviors are not repeated. He stated that it is better for the student who got in trouble, the student impacted by what happened, and the teacher if there is actual progress in the classroom.

Fuentes agreed with a point from Losen that each day a student is suspended should be justified. However, the reasoning is often that they don’t have the resources for another option.

“Unfortunately, I think a lot of times, however, the reasoning is that we don’t have the systems in place to do authentic restorative practices in an efficient and real way,” said Fuentes.

As a teacher, Fuentes stated when a student’s behavior has seriously impacted the classroom, he doesn’t want them back in the classroom until the student and the class are ready.

“I don’t think we have the systems in place to make it so when that kid is back in the classroom, they are accepted and accepting of how to restore what was harmed,” said Fuentes. “So, as opposed as I am to suspensions that are simply punitive, I am not sure that our alternatives are really up to the standards that I would want them to be.”

Fuentes explained that a restorative practice could be having staff on campus that is solely focused on working on interventions.

When discussing homeless and foster students specifically, Fuentes stated that a lot of their issues come from their home life, and along with having better systems in place to handle restoration, there could be more empathy from teachers.

“I think we have to realize that a lot of these kids are living lives that a lot of us don’t know what that’s like,” said Fuentes.

He continued to say that he really wants to keep students in school as a board member and as a teacher, which would take more authentic restoration processes.