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Los Angeles
Volume 36 Number 8
Serving Los Angeles County for Over 36 Years
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California
Sen. Steven Bradford Commits to Building Upon Weber’s Legacy as Next Black Caucus Chair
By Tanu Henry California Black Media Last week, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) elected Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) chair of the group comprised of African Americans serving in State Legislature. Bradford, 60, who is the longest serving member in the caucus and the only African American member in the California Senate, is succeeding the CLBC’s outgoing chair Dr. Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego). Two weeks ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated Weber for the soon-to-be open California Secretary of State position, which will be vacated by Alex Padilla. The governor appointed Padilla to replace Sen. Kamala Harris as California’s junior Senator in the United States Congress. Bradford, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Safety and also leads the Senate’s Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color, promised to continue -- and build on --Weber’s many accomplishments as head of the CLBC. “We are grateful for Dr. Weber’s leadership during her time with the Caucus and have no doubt she will lead with the same passion and desire for equality and justice as Secretary of State. I look forward to serving in a similar fashion of Dr. Weber and previous chairs championing African American issues for the state and nation,” said Bradford, who served as vice chair of the CLBC during the last legislative session. Bradford said Weber made significant progress passing legislation that focused on social justice, education, criminal justice reform and equity for Black Americans and other ethnic minorities in California. The CLBC, which has existed for more than 50 years now, prides itself on the influence it has had over the last half-century crafting legislature to promote racial and gender equality in California. “With the support of my colleagues, I intend to continue and build upon the successes she achieved while serving as chair,” Bradford said, referring to Weber. Bradford says the CLBC has identified the issues it will prioritize over the next year. “We will be tackling issues such as the massively
disproportional effect of COVID-19 on Black Californians, establishing a more transparent and accountable police system, enhancing economic opportunity through social equity programs, protecting the state’s ratepayers from unfair energy policies, supporting our formerly incarcerated with rehabilitative programs, pursuing representation in all forms of government, and so much more,” he said. “I look forward to all that we will accomplish together and remain committed to making California a more prosperous, diverse, and equitable state for all Californians.” During Bradford’s tenure as chair, Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) will serve as vice chair; Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) will serve as secretary; and Assemblymember Jim Cooper will continue in his role as the group’s treasurer. Bradford was first elected to the California Legislature in 2009 to represent the 51st District in Los Angeles County in the State Assembly. He served in the role until 2012 when he was elected to represent the 62nd District in the Assembly, which includes areas in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. He served in that role until 2014. In 2016, he was elected to the State Senate, representing the 35th District, which covers a section of the Los Angeles area that stretches north, beginning in inland areas of the South Bay and encompassing the communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington. Other members of the CLBC are: Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena), Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) and Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles). Weber says she will continue to work with the CLBC in her new role as Secretary of State. “It is a bittersweet moment as I pass the leadership torch to Senator Steven Bradford. The California Legislative Black Caucus is a small but mighty group of nine members. Together, we have been a powerful force, united and unwavering in our commitment to fight and win tough battles to improve the lives of Black Californians,” Weber said. “I thank the Black Caucus for its support during my tenure as chair, and I have full trust and confidence in
Senator Bradford to take on the leadership of the Caucus. I also look forward to building on the partnership between the Secretary of State’s office and the CLBC to protect and expand voting rights in California.”
sheriffs. Evaluations of peace officers must include assessing bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Police can't use carotid restraints or chokeholds. Youths up to age 17 can't be questioned by police or waive their rights until they have a chance to consult with an attorney. Suspects may be entitled to new trials or sentences if they can show their case was tainted by racial bias. And juries will be picked from all tax filers, a broader pool than the current lists of registered voters and licensed drivers. Governments can't use software to track a person or object without first getting a warrant. Former inmate firefighters can quickly apply to have their criminal records expunged after their release, which gives them a shot at becoming professional firefighters or seeking employment in other licensed professions. WILDFIRES Record wildfires have scarred California's landscape, spurring a drive for more protections. Homeowners in fire-prone areas must further reduce vegetation within 100 feet (30 meters) of structures, including eliminating vegetation immediately adjacent to
Sen. Steven Bradford (Courtesy Photo)
structures, though the rule can't be enforced until the state develops regulations and lawmakers provide money for beefed-up inspections. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services must take into account the needs of the elderly, children, those with language barriers or physical or mental disabilities when updating the State Emergency Plan. Insurers must prominently notify policyholders if their offer to renew a policy reduces coverage, such as eliminating fire protection, and get it acknowledged in writing. Emergency vehicles can use a distinctive “Hi-Lo” warning sound to notify the public of an immediate need to evacuate an area in an emergency under a law that took effect in September. Employers can't force domestic workers to work during an evacuation, whether the danger is from fire or the coronavirus. HEALTH AND CORONAVIRUS Employers must quickly notify workers of potential coronavirus exposure. Hospitals must maintain a three-month supply of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves
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Close Widening Learning Gap internet service often hamstrings students of color’s ability to adequately learn during the pandemic, according to education experts who share their frustration about the
“We need to be able to work toward equitable education for all, leveling the playing field for those most at risk of being left behind, and close the gap that data shows are widening during the pandemic. We need to work toward helping now, and helping always,” said Adrienne Oddi, the dean of admissions and financial aid at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
Police Search for Child Left in Las Vegas Casino Restroom
LAS VEGAS (AP) – A 3-year-old girl was found abandoned in a Las Vegas casino restroom on Tuesday and is now in the custody of Child Protective Services while authorities search for her mother. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the child was found at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel-casino that morning. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said detectives had concluded the mother and daughter took a cab to the Fashion Show mall and subsequently walked across the street to the Wynn. Lt. David Valenta, who works in the department’s special victims section, told the Review-Journal that the woman had asked about shelters while in the cab and was later seen leaving the Wynn and heading north on South Las Vegas Boulevard. “Remember, even during these most difficult times, help is available,” Valenta said. “All you have to do is ask.” Police are now asking for anyone with information about the whereabouts of the woman believed to be the mother, who police described as a black 5-foot-5-inch female in her 20s wearing a blond wig.
TULELAKE, Calif. (AP) – Some 15 to 20 packages filled with rice and Ku Klux Klan flyers were scattered around a small town in northern California near the Oregon border, according to police. Residents of Tulelake, California found the materials on the doorsteps of their homes and businesses, the Herald and News in Klamath Falls, Oregon reported. The fliers claim the “radical left” was trying to steal the 2020 election and institute a Communist agenda. Tulelake Police Chief Tony Ross said this week that KKK recruitment paraphernalia also appeared in town about four years ago. He said police haven’t identified a culprit in either case. Ross said a person found responsible could be charged with offensive littering but advertisements for the hate group are generally considered free speech and are not illegal.
Educators Say They Must Act During the Pandemic to
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The lack of a quiet place to work and resources like
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Ku Klux Klan Flyers Dropped at Homes
These are New California Laws By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ What a strange legislative year it was. The coronavirus pandemic forced California state lawmakers to twice shut down their sessions for weeks at a time _ the first unexpected work stoppage in 158 years. Masked lawmakers tried to limit the number of bills they considered, but still ran out of time on the final night, partly because quarantined Republican senators had to vote remotely. Yet they still managed to pass hundreds of bills, 372 of which were signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Most take effect with the new year. Among them: CRIMINAL JUSTICE As the pandemic set in, so did nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Police killings of primarily Black and Latino men gave urgency to bills that previously stalled and prompted new efforts at law enforcement accountability, some of which failed in the session's waning hours. One new law requires the state attorney general to investigate any time police kill an unarmed civilian, while a second gives county supervisors greater oversight of county
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inequities in education faced by minorities and those in underserved communities. “There also may be familial responsibilities like caring for a younger sibling or parent,” said Adrienne Oddi, the dean of admissions and financial aid at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. “Homes and residential dwellings are often more congested with family, making it difficult to focus. We see these demands in our own students at Trinity, too,” Oddi further asserted. “It is a problem that isn’t simply at the K-12 levels but also in higher education. One of the main reasons we welcomed our students back to campus in the fall was to help combat inequity issues that may exist in a student’s home. We were able to help provide our students with the resources and space they needed to focus on their education.” Oddi acknowledged that the task is not easy for every student who wants an education. “Assuming students can prioritize themselves and their education is the admissions officer’s equivalent of ‘Put your mask on first before assisting others,’” he illustrated. “It’s a luxury that not every student and family can afford. “But the onus is not on the student. It is on everyone. As the dean of admissions and financial aid, the onus is on me, too.” Oddi demanded that those in higher education need to examine their practices and ask themselves – “Who is here? Who is missing?” “We need to be able to work toward equitable education for all, leveling the playing field for those most at risk of being left behind, and close the gap that data shows are widening during the pandemic. We need to work toward helping now, and helping always,” he said. José Viana, former director of the U.S. Department Continued on page A2
Nevada’s First Black State Senator Dies
LAS VEGAS (AP) – Joe Neal, Nevada’s first Black state senator and a two-time candidate for governor, died Thursday night. He was 85. Neal’s death was “a tragic loss for Nevada,” Gov. Steve Sisolak, a fellow Democrat, said Friday on Twitter. “Joe Neal was a pioneer, a fearless fighter and a voice for people often overlooked in this state.” Neal’s daughter, state Sen. Dina Neal, and his former campaign manager, Andrew Barbano, said in a statement that Joe Neal “apparently succumbed to multiple system failure” following an unspecified illness. Neal served in the Nevada Senate from 1973 to 2003, according to his legislative biography. “He was always a champion for the little guy,” U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, a Democrat who served alongside Neal in the state Senate told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2019. Neal was the first Black person to become a major party nominee for Nevada governor, losing the 2002 general election to Republican Kenny Guinn. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in 1998, losing to Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones. Neal’s wife, Estelle Deconge Neal, died in 1997. They had five children, 10 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.
Breonna Taylor Case Detectives Face Termination
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Two Kentucky police detectives involved in the raid that left Breonna Taylor dead, including the one who shot her, were scheduled Monday to face a termination hearing. Detectives Myles Cosgrove and Joshua Jaynes received notice last week from Louisville Police interim Chief Yvette Gentry that she intends to dismiss them from the department. Both men will have an opportunity to argue against their firings at the hearing. The hearing is not open to the public. Taylor, a Black woman, was killed March 13 by police executing a narcotics search warrant. None of the three white officers who fired into Taylor’s home were charged by a grand jury in her death. Investigators said Cosgrove fired 16 rounds into the apartment after the front door was breached and Taylor’s boyfriend fired a shot at them. Federal ballistics experts said they believe the shot that killed Taylor came from Cosgrove. Gentry wrote that Cosgrove failed to ``properly identify a target’’ when he fired, according to media reports of the letter, which has not been released. Jaynes was not at the scene the night of the shooting but sought the warrant that sent police to Taylor’s home. Gentry said Jaynes lied about how he obtained some information about Taylor in the warrant. An internal investigation by Louisville police found Jaynes violated department procedures for preparation of a search warrant and truthfulness, his attorney, Thomas Clay said. Jaynes acknowledged in a May interview with Louisville police investigators that he didn’t personally verify that a drug trafficking suspect, Jamarcus Glover, was receiving mail at Taylor’s apartment, even though he had said in an earlier affidavit that he had. Jaynes said he relied instead on information from a fellow officer. Jaynes and Cosgrove have been on administrative leave, along with another officer who was at the raid, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. Mattingly was shot in the leg by Taylor’s boyfriend, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home.