w inmate ged inciden Cooper’s m’s decision cou Flori t was making ouda Today reports thca Hills famil1985 conviction inld lead to the overtu t. e y th rn A an e u in th k d g il o ling of a ru their 11-y ri Enough Of of has the Your Lovtie”es say the o Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino an d agree s. Th cal watcher s say, to de case Both the C ivide alifornia an and more th d nited S past appeals an a dozen lower U tates suprem courts hav . e rejected Ce courts “I take no p ooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g terest. N igh-profile case that said in his execu uilt or intiv York Times has drawn Sen. Kamew internatioen order ’ co 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer lum alaGet nistby app for free downloading Harthe N ris an ic have all ca1. h o las Kristof, al ind reality T Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your for Google U itlled from orV The App .S starApple re-testingPlay forensic tech . using curren Kim Kardashian SUL n o tablet or smartphone. lo g y. t, more sen The AStore gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P CLU and o sitive groups hav th er m attress befboroke into a Louisiaonlice h a deeper in e also urged Califuoman rights and soci ho News ouretl officers arrested haim ves gation rnia state o al et into Cooper . fficials to lajustice s Gov. Newtiso sp q u o k o es te m Mel E unch ’s convictio m’s order F tion issued stes in ThSuulphur officers saan n . ri d b ay y e w fo rs x d rmer Gov. pan test four costume. ThJeremie Moran wal ay re rry Brownds previous direcking th ey had rece lowed analpyieces of crime scenJe in so D n looking in ec e em st ev an orange s to perform DN idence. Brown’s ber to to homes.ived calls abou E to A stes prosecutors wel; and the han re-testing on a tanorder al- bo proached bsays Moran ran in dle dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; a hom R In this new used in theand sheath of a hat y ch en arges incluut was discovered to chet Joshua Ryen, the ’s home with a tota murders. investigatio hiding. ding resistin of hair from tr y, l v n w m o ic , f o ti et an 1 g u th m h 4 n al s will lo an 3 e victims’ h s’ d on his th poss sion button Co ands, bloyost and wearinofficer, roat. He w8-year-old son, suffsterab wounds. ing in the San B k at strand tack. In Louisiaes oper’s atto d samplesoan g as the only tigators pla er s ed n n rn a, th ar a ey a e d in sl in p al as N er p le o h o ublic can b son convicatemas gations Co County are survivor of Angeles Co nted at the scene rman Hile mainta d a green le After Coopers’s o e D do p n th se er .A o m e t n ’s .’s o su tenced to atst. Exceptio atto rprised abo o ce. Man three ye vestigation unty Superior Couof the crime. A reins inves- al gally stayed in a h jail break, investig ns are allow ut racial biaffi y of themrneys are making ab h o li d . ay ators found so say they tired Los ouse next rt judge wil se ed s s o like Hallow for religiou do fo , e il- complaints and discriminatio frequently compla ut their l oversee th Coo er, 61 een and M It’s unclea in about are handled n in the w e in- family’s station uwnd evidence in theoRr to the victims. hTh , has main ar years. Hispla r if g an M m g ay . o ag en y ta ey Ju p ra en o th ro t. in n has a ladwi Gras st last mon n that tied ’s home and eir cases or secutor Mic For some, G by Gov. N wyers hope the resu ed his innocence th u C yer w n , in o h d a o ae er o p th S v. Bernardino help prove ewsom, which cou lts of the re-testin over the oinf g in the case is beinNewsom’s order toerbto the murders. e on socipalressure for makinlgSelyem, who is Wan h g cr ld it g ro th th m e, o u m ad ta rd ei d e ed resigned et e an k r client’s in er Observer en NA te m rders Jo Newspapers . His insult him. 22 Volume 34 Number Thursday, April 11, 2019 ismSouthern st- chelle Obama,iaU shua Ryenwith dof nocence eanseveral months, wed ay. The lonDCalifornia porters ofuGroup s targeteddforacist and commen ill th an e ,S d finally ex th su ts B . d e rm R la In 1985, a rv fa R ep ck er iv y m en . o F sh il M r ir s y, ooting victi ey are disap st axine Water and Hughes onerate friends an San Diego on four co pointed w s and an uLnady Mi“Unfortun ith the gov all across the statdesup- Los Thomas R. Parkmer. named 26 and an unts of murder. ACt ounty jury convicte at er , Angeles offi el say n a former d ep ce cord - incluescaped prison inmthe time of his arre d Cooper nfor justice in this cay,seover time it seemosr’s decision. , u b ty el head of the ieves This guy is o District st, he was e victims’ d FBI’s in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim innocent,” Cooper. Attorney Jamatters less and leth esire “The evidence “Prior DN ries and the ania – did ss h in e ,” so al to S n an ld re A w n as A B th d er o not help his te er e p n n Cooper, form rape of a m st la so N ar th in n ew n d te e g icl sa d, he was stand.” th aimed ou case. inor erly named in 1958 framed, thYork Times. ld exoneratat Mr. Cooper sougidh in a statement. What has k per’s guilw e cops lied e him have t, agreed to t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep t a th fe all confirm e case goin deral appel and nsylvania. was born Y et ed g la p During his , he was adopted an te er M an su W ec co r. d Coop as e argum ution and re hen he was urt ecisio Cooents based six monies and allegiv n in iew the ca’sasedmessage and he spenchildhood, his par d renamed Kevin Civil Rights Trial Association, that 2004 to sterayalive - is is LAKE FOREST, ations of ev Gov. Newvdelivered o re n as en w C t co o it o recovering a ts n h n o ab g fl p his p alif. (AP) – m o er ic le h so id o juvenile ore scientifi ysically u ting testthe “Evolution . d part o q en m’s decisio Ben Franklin”. after beinC i- DNA testof c evidenceex. - yon road in sed him gators used touestions about the mce tamperinhighlighted n like inof to almany g g, keeCrump g co struck by aOfficials a mentaldhetention centers. Inf adolescence livinab lo m tells the story Franklin who p w es C ra et n al S an ea ai is h ifornia Gov ods and sto ing utherwho l Cooper. Th rly in the other LOS g in several attack, and ANGELES (AP) – A oman rode around pon o n ro C u L al n er ag ri te d California. ealth facility in Pen1982, Cooper esca n es re u rm of America’s founding fathers was a slave owner. He o o in n e h in r f a ia. ninelice ca ave high ex whose supp of th vestieachnecks a ebicycle and slashed the faces Band ofifOoatrnleast ped from three attacker sworn testimony, weapons wer nsylvania b th P p o ro e li p O g ce o ec re e rt ra u ta ss er n se iv ti ffi g (Franklin) took two black student’s as apprentice’s. “He s on thepeople in LoseAngeles d in the e CouWednesday s who were efore movin Jo Duri r Thom M “DNA test ons. nty R arrested once suspicion somwas litical Left White. Heshua Ryensaw eone’ g to could have been H said c ingcould gued that nCg his murder trial, s psaid. forhhimself and achieve ofpoattempted solvblack shoulearn et when thegister he initially as e saw that e the children la ld is te murder, police p r o p im F an te o R ro eb F thoug p st ic m y se u . e er en ifi . ed rt 1 cu ca ed killed husb 9 h ia Ryen, their t ca . to er te d th just like white children if given support and resource’s,” se rs ar C co ly at h te su an m ia ta th d cc d finally en ng said du ke pla One ey in front of said the man laughed after he cut her. named Dia plicating the pro McG to victim ring that neighbor C 10-year-old daughand and wife Dougesansfully ar- ban surehad re-Briones themblack’s he uire saysdown that DNAconcluded na Roper ca the ca secutions’ cl stated Crump. “Franklin justice is ce Lenrey was tracked and taken into elonging to ter Jessica an hristopher w th p d h ev ai e P en se g an eg id m ai n rv en h e g im . m y e ed fo “N s, ce al g rw as apprentices were even more intellectually superior than ,” ot out Capt. a wom- but testing her former ot onlycustody Hughes. Po d was bigger n help d with b to check, h is it proafter in this caca boyfriend ar thanofa htips, lice foundan 11-year-old inal. She turned Areceived nimal Cohundreds dy white ven police clothinstudent’s he had.” se wouldlacow enforcement Dan ouse who was aloothe the eviden the bloodie E n d g ca v tr Randolph said at a news conference. The 19-yeares so en t. o to tr lv l o o th an e y ffi m cr o ed v ce u an io t crim Franklin ce over to e attonodo imes, d gh Nhe it. imal hhomeless, this rushIt ewfelt cost to ed wasn’t ospital, whherssaid. som’shedechad the police,lenWhen - is bold,realized the bleedin oldthsuspect is believed he is trea trauma.to be African Am e st is er at io d e e. n b in is something and correct the “original American lie,” that it ” u in su g t w they ericans, His carefully on e that the C immediately has an attorney. as diagnosed w oo er case known if ifornia “He Dr.Briones panics and a pote Krileast watchingto. Cal were inferior whites. the first votersbecame sti Knine ntially popla rause,victims, other minblacks ac The assailant left at a sh ro H e ss a veterinincluding e ex th is ri p ec zi e o k ng with pohave rities livof ts thwounds, eepingSociety President Abolitionist and we litical sp13-year-old, arian, tewere e 11-pouand h - theCoAmerican is slashing detectives b ec ll ac fo s n tr k cu n the ne ti u d in n s m (5-kilo to the d ontruths are additional victims, edgoing to free the slaves if we uare we hold these fairness looking on pato gesay after said. and justfor A2 equal.” McGuire wvilofficials it regainsgstram) cat to be ic e to be self-evident that all men are created isitedin this community,’’ ren th. “The suspect th instilled fear Crump talked about the UCLA Law student of today Randolph said. at if he sees it again, the bobcat on Fgri day h e’ ll is compared to years ago. “They are very smart, and their e a tiattacked cket for ja. yH A man standing near a bus stop suwas w intellect is beyond where I was when I was in Law School; on Monday, and a woman was cut about a mile (1.6 So I am encouraged for the future when I come to things kilometers) away, police said. They were hospitalized with like this to be able to talk about the American Constitution severe injuries and are expected to survive. and the basis for the Constitution.” Similar attacks happened in the same area of South When asked what advice he would give today’s young Los Angeles on March 20 and in the neighboring cities of Law student’s Crump replied: “You have to use the Law as South Gate and Lynwood on March 27. a weapon, just like Thurgood Marshall did in Brown vs. the Stefany Coboz told KNBC-TV she received a deep Board of Education.” gash under her left ear, and the man turned to look at her Some 400 people gathered in West Los Angeles to after the attack. celebrate the 50th year of the BSLA. One was John Floyd. “He started laughing,’’ she said “He laughed.’’ He was the organizations first president in 1969 and 1970. The assailant rode a black and green mountain bike Floyd now lives in South Africa and made the trip to and wielded an unknown type of “edged weapon,’’ police support the organization he helped get started. said. “Before 1967 there were only four blacks and one L-R Future leader, Ajwang Rading, President and Co-Chair of UCLABlack Law at the UCLA Black Law 50th Latino who graduated in the history of UCLA Law School,“ Anniversary Solidarity Gala huddles with actor Terry Crews, event speaker and Attorney BenjaminCrump, said Floyd. “In 1969 they admitted thirteen of us.” Honoree and Keynote Speaker. The Gala raised over $180,000 to benefit incoming African American UCLA Floyd and his classmates were community people Black Law students. (Tshombe Sampson photo) instantly. The started the Black Law Journal. They formed By Earl Heath head of the Los Angeles Black Workers Center (BWC), also the Black Law Center and the corner of Western and It was a real treat to have famed Civil Rights attorney had input on the beautiful evening. Adams as Law students they made a radio announcementBen Crump as the Keynote speaker at the 50th Anniversary Comedian Aida Rodriguez is a big supporter of ”Free Law Help”. The line was down the street with people COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Columbia officials have of the UCLA Black Law Students Association Solidarity B.S.L.A. and she is the first Latino woman to have a seeking Law help. approved the route of a walking trail to honor the city’s Dinner. The groups mission is to be a component comedy aired on HBO and Showtime in the same month. “We couldn’t maintain, we were college student’s black history. nationally and the recruitment and admissions of Blacks In the past Crump has represented several families trying to get a degree. We finally turned all our clients The Columbia City Council on Monday unanimously into the Law School. BSLA is highly interested in people nationwide including Trayvon Martin who was killed over to Legal Aid- It was simply taking all our time,” added approved a plan to complete the African-American who demonstrated an active desire to contribute to the by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. Floyd. Heritage Trail. The 2-mile (3.2 kilometer) trail will Black Community. Floyd and the original B.S.L.A. stood for was right Michael Brown who was killed by police in Ferguson, The theme of the evening was “Champions for Missouri in 2014- Also Stephon Clark who was shot by with America and Give their time to help out those in South commemorate over 30 sites identified as important to the black community, the Columbia Missourian reported. Change” and brought out some big names in Law and Police in Sacramento in 2018. L.A. during the turbulent sixties. Floyd also mentioned The project includes 21 historical markers, some of Entertainment. Actors Courtney B. Vance and Terry Crews Crump, who is currently President of the National which are already in place. were contributors to the evening. Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Continued on page A6 The trail’s first marker memorializes Sharp End, the historic black business district that was demolished in the 1960s during the city’s urban renewal process. The route will pass other famous spots, such as the home of AfricanAmerican composer and pianist J.W. “Blind’’ Boone. Other sites that have been dedicated include the former Stewart Road bridge, where James T. Scott, a black man, was lynched in 1923 after being accused of sexual assaulting the daughter of a University of Missouri professor. In 2016, the university’s Association of Black Graduate and Professional Students raised money for a plaque in Scott’s memory. The route will also pass by Third Street Market, one of the few places in the early 1900s where black residents could buy groceries. Park Services Manager Gabe Huffington said the Sharp End Heritage Committee identified the sites and raised money to cover the cost of the markers. Huffington expects there to be more markers added to the trail. “One of the things we thought we needed to do was take a look backwards and see what we’ve done in the past,’’ said James Whitt, chairman of the Sharp End Heritage Committee. “We thought, ‘We need to recognize some of the mistakes we made in the past and some of the accomplishments and some of the contributions that the Sharp End made historically.’’’ called the trail “a real community project, individuals filed 28,843 housing discrimination making victims of discrimination whole, and a delay in whereWhitt By Charlene Crowell black, white and all elements of our community complaints in 2017,” said Waters. “Under the NNPA Newswire Contributor correction of housing providers’ discriminatory behavior.” have participated.’’ Trump Administration, fair housing Fifty-one years ago, this Speaking on behalf of the Zillow Group, Dr. Skylar protections are under attack…. Olsen, its Director of Economic Research cited additional month, the Fair Housing According to news reports data that underscored racial disparities and problems that Act (the Act) was enacted Secretary Carson proposed continue with access to credit. to ensure that housing taking the words ‘free from discrimination was illegal. “Homeownership is a key tool for building wealth, discrimination’ out of HUD’s and more than half the overall wealth held by American Yet, just days before the mission statement.” annual observance of households is represented by their primary residence,” said “He also reportedly Olsen. “But access to homeownership is not shared equally. Fair Housing Month halted fair housing In 1900, the gap between black and white homeownership began, headline news investigations”, continued rate was 27.6 percentage points. Today it is 30.3 percentage articles reminded the LOS ANGELES (AP) – The former wife of Guns N’ Waters, “and sidelined points.” nation that housing top advisors in discrimination still Further according to Olsen, the Home Mortgage Roses guitarist Slash is selling off exotic and erotic items HUD’s Office of Fair Disclosure Act (HMDA) shows that “black borrowers a from their 14 years of marriage. exists. Julien’s Auctions announced Thursday the collection Housing and Equal denied for conventional home loans 2.5 times more often For example, on from Slash and Perla Hudson’s Beverly Hills estate will be Opportunity. These than white borrowers.” March 19, the Office part of next month’s Music Icons auction. are unprecedented of the Comptroller of Even among renters, Skylar noted racial disparities items feature Slash’s signature look including a attacks on fair in major metro areas like Atlanta, Detroit, Houston blackThe the Currency (OCC) fined custom-made bowler hat, a signed top hat and his housing that and Oakland, California adding, “local establishments black leather Citibank $25 million for violations related to mortgage motorcycle jacket with the printed image of must not go and amenities including banks, health institutions and Jimi Hendrix on the back. lending. At issue was Citibank’s “relationship pricing” unanswered.” program that afforded mortgage applicants either a recreational facilities are less prevalent in communities of The auction will feature some of their wedding items S e v e r a l color than white communities.” credit on closing costs or a reduced interest rate. including Perla’s beaded and sequin top hat wedding veil committee members These cost breaks were intended to be offered Debby Goldberg, Vice President of Housing Policy and their wedding cake topper. There’s also a bronze and posed similar concerns and Special Project with the National Fair Housing Alliance leather spanking bench. to customers on the basis of their deposits and offered comments that echoed (NFHA) was also a panelist. and investment balances. According to The auction will take place online and at New York’s those of Waters. Additional issues OCC examination at Citibank, these “Not all neighborhoods were created the same,” Hard Rock Cafe on May 17 and 18. raised during the hearing spoke to a testified Goldberg. “The long history of housing A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Youth ‘relationships” did not include all eligible lack of enforcement, data collection, discrimination and segregation in the U.S. has created Emerging Stronger charity. customers – particularly people of color. gentrification, racial redlining, neighborhoods that are unequal in their access to The regulator’s conclusion was that the restrictive zoning, and disparate impact. opportunities. They are not unequal because of the people bank’s practices led to racial disparities. A panel of housing experts provided substantive who live there. They are unequal because of a series of public The settlement calls for all 24,000 consumers affected testimony that responded to many of these issues, while and private institutionalized practices that orchestrated a to receive $24 million in restitution. Days later on March 28, the federal department also acknowledging how many fair housing goals have not system of American apartheid in our neighborhoods and of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) charged yet been achieved. Cashauna Hill, the Executive Director of the Greater communities, placing us in separate and unequal spaces.” Facebook with violating the Act by enabling its advertisers Goldberg also stated that racial discrimination to discriminate on its social media platform. According to New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center provided included consumers of color with varying incomes. the lawsuit, Facebook enabled advertisers to exclude people additional information on delays encountered with “While many low-income communities, no matter based on their neighborhood – a high tech version of the HUD’s Fair Housing investigations. Although HUD set LONDON (AP) – The long-running British TV soap historical redlining of neighborhoods where people of a standard for these complaints to be investigated within their racial composition, suffer from disinvestment and lack “Coronation Street’’ is welcoming its first black family in of resources, even wealthier, high-earning communities of 100 days, many complaints go well beyond the agency’s color lived. its 59-year history. With 210 million Facebook users in the United States own guidelines. Cases older than 100 days are categorized color have fewer bank branches, grocery stores, healthy The soap opera is set to introduce the Baileys, a environments, and affordable credit than poorer white and Canada alone, the social media mogul took in $8.246 as “aged” in HUD parlance. family with two sons. It will explore themes of racism and “In 2017, HUD had 895 cases that became aged areas.” billion in advertising in just the last financial quarter of homophobia in sport, with a story line featuring one of the Ms. Goldberg also posed a core question that was as sons, a soccer player, coming out as gay during that same year, and it had 941 cases that were 2018. The show has charted the goings-on in the fictional As April’s annual observance of Fair Housing already considered aged at the beginning of the fiscal year,” basic as it was direct. Month began, the Chair of the House Financial Services noted Hill. “During that same time period, Fair Housing “How do we ensure that future generations of all northern England community of Weatherfield since 1960. Committee used that leadership post to bring attention Assistance Program agencies had 3,994 cases that became backgrounds live in neighborhoods rich with opportunity?” It has cast individual black characters but not brought in a to the nagging challenges that deny fair housing for all. aged and 1,393 cases that were already considered aged at said Goldberg. “Fair housing. Fair housing can ultimately black family together before. Iain MacLeod said Saturday he didn’t really In her opening statement at the hearing held April 2, the beginning of the fiscal year.” dismantle the housing discrimination and segregation that knowProducer why it has taken so long, but it “did feel sort of “Practically, what this means for groups like the Fair caused these inequities in the first place.” Chairwoman Maxine Waters set the tone and focus of the overdue we did this and represented modern Manchester Housing Action Center,” continued Hall, “is a delay in public forum. a bit more accurately.’’ “According to the National Fair Housing Alliance,
Welcome to Observer Interactive
Deeper Content. Pictures Move. Ads Talk. Live Shopping.
Man in Go Breaks in ril Hides UndHo er
News Observer Los Angeles
Ben Crump Delivers at UCLA
FFRREEEE!!
Bobcat Re cover Los Angeles AfterPolice Being Hit Say Bike-Riding Police CaFace r Slasher Arrested
BLSA 50th Event
Black History Trail Route Approved
After 51 Years,
FAIR HOUSING Still an Unfinished Journey
Slash’s Ex-Wife Auctioning Items from Marriage
UK Soap Includes Black Family for 1st Time in 60 years
A2
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Thursday, April 11, 2019
World & Nation
President Hopefuls Tout Agendas to Black Voters By ELANA SCHOR Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) – Democratic presidential candidates on Friday touted their plans on criminal justice reform, the study of reparations and other racial equality issues, highlighting the critical role black voters will play in choosing the party’s 2020 nominee. Speaking at the National Action Network’s conference in New York, California Sen. Kamala Harris pledged to double the size of the Justice Department’s civil rights division and to sign legislation creating a commission to study reparations to African Americans hurt by slavery. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also said he would sign that reparations bill, even as he emphasized the importance of a broader anti-poverty policy. “We know that they are using the Department of Justice in a way that is about politics and not about pursuit of equality,’’ Harris, one of two black candidates for the party’s nomination, told the receptive audience. Earlier on Friday, she told a radio interviewer she would be open to choosing a woman as her running mate if she wins the nomination to take on President Donald Trump. Sanders, who fell short in his 2016 presidential bid but is a front-runner in 2020, elated the crowd by jabbing at President Donald Trump as “a racist, sexist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot.’’ He had previously questioned the lack of specifics in the reparations debate, calling for a detailed focus on economic recovery for lowincome African American communities, but said Friday that he would “of course’’ sign a study bill on the issue.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren used her speech to escalate her call for Democrats to end the 60-vote requirement for many major bills to clear the Senate if her party wins the White House and Republicans try to block their agenda. Warren outlined the history of the Senate filibuster’s use “as a tool to block progress on racial justice,’’ adding that Democrats should “be bold and clear’’ if they take back the presidency. Invoking Republican obstruction of former President Barack Obama’s agenda, Warren said that if Republicans place “small-minded partisanship ahead of solving the massive problems facing this country, then we should get rid of the filibuster.’’ More than a half-dozen White House hopefuls have spoken at the conference to spotlight their records on remedying economic and social inequities that have impeded African American communities. Among the other Democratic presidential contenders slated to address the group later Friday at its annual convention are Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Cory Booker of New Jersey. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper used his speech to the group to outline his record on policing, suggesting that the nation “shutter some prisons altogether.’’ The Rev. Al Sharpton, who is leading the convention, told attendees that the day was about “mainstreaming the racial divide in America’’ as well as “changing the conversation, so we’re all included.’’
Most Americans Say Trump Makes Race Relations Worst By JESSE J. HOLLAND Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) _ More than half of Americans say President Donald Trump has made race relations worse during his time in the White House, and more than twothirds believe it has become more common for people to say racist things since he won the White House. This is according to a Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday that asked Americans their feelings about race in the United States. Almost 3 out of 5 Americans, or 58%, say race relations in the U.S. are generally bad, and 56% of those in the Pew Research Center's "Race in America 2019" survey said Trump has made race relations worse. Only one-fourth, or 25%, said former President Barack Obama, a Democrat and the country's first black president, made race relations worse. Roughly two-thirds of Americans, or 65%, also say it has become more common for people to express racist views since Trump took office. “One of the key takeaways is that Americans have a negative view of the country's racial progress and the current state of race relations,'' said Juliana Menasce Horowitz, Pew's associate director of research and one of the report's authors. Trump, a Republican, has been dogged by racial turmoil during his time in office, including the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, during a protest against a Confederate statue and the administration's reaction to illegal immigration at the United States-Mexico border. But the White House says Trump has regularly denounced racism. “The president has been incredibly clear and has consistently and repeatedly condemned hatred, bigotry, racism in all of its forms whether it's in America or anywhere else,'' White House press secretary Sarah Sandersásaid last month. There were major differences in how people of different races answered questions about race in the United States. For example, while more than 3 in 5 Americans, or 63%, said they think that the United States' legacy of slavery affects the position of black people in the country, 84% of African Americans agreed with that statement and 58% of white Americans agreed with it. The gulf increased when Americans were asked whether the country has gone far enough in giving black people rights equal to those of white people. Overall, more than 2 in 5 Americans, or 45%, said they believe that the
News Observer Los Angeles
Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation on July 2, 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Decree, Case No. BS007262, Government Code 6023. Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385 Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Assc. Associated Press, Better Business Bureau, GLAAACC President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey
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 and opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management are soleley 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 editiing 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. The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.: Los Angeles News Observer, Bakersfield News Observer, The Valley’s News Observer Los Angeles News Observer 12655 W. Jefferson Blvd. 4th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90066 Mailing Address: 309 E. Hillcrest Blvd. #348 Inglewood, CA 90301 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX. (661) 324-9472 General Info: observernews@gmail.com Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Online: www.ognsc.com
United States hasn't gone far enough, but 78% of black people agreed with that while only 37% of white people thought that statement was true. Also, 50% of African Americans surveyed thought that it was not too likely or not at all likely that African Americans would eventually have equal rights in the United States. Only 7% of white people thought it was unlikely that black people would achieve racial equality. More than half of black people, or 52%, said being black has hurt their ability to get ahead in the United States, with 18% saying it has hurt a lot. About a quarter of Hispanics and Asians, 24% each, said that their race or ethnicity has hurt their ability to get ahead, while only 5% of white people thought their race hurt their ability to advance in this country. Black people thought that racial discrimination was the top thing holding them back in the United States, followed by less access to high-paying jobs and less access to good schools. White people agreed on the causes, but more of them thought education was the top issue. “One of the takeaways from this is how different people's perspectives on race are in the United States, how people bring their own experiences into these questions and how divided this country is by race and by (political) party,'' Horowitz said. The poll of 6,637 Americans was conducted Jan. 22 to Feb. 5 with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.7 percentage points.
“Let’s not forget that Donald Trump and his father were once charged with violating the Fair Housing Act, for discriminating against African American and Puerto Rican renters.
Given that Trump was engaged in housing discrimination himself, it is unsurprising that his Administration has been so hostile to fair housing protections.” Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee
Waters Convenes Hearing on Housing Discrimination WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, convened a hearing entitled, “The Fair Housing Act: Reviewing Efforts to Eliminate Discrimination and Promote Opportunity in Housing.” (See the Chairwoman’s opening statement below) “Good morning, everyone. Today, the Committee convenes for a hearing on the Fair Housing Act, to review efforts to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunity in housing. “April is National Fair Housing Month, and last April marked the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, the landmark 1968 legislation that outlawed housing discrimination. “But here we are 51 years after the Fair Housing Act became law, and housing discrimination remains a widespread problem in this country. According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, individuals filed 28,843 housing discrimination complaints in 2017. “Under the Trump Administration, fair housing protections are under attack. In 2018, HUD Secretary Ben Carson halted implementation of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, an important rule finalized by the Obama Administration that provides communities with greater clarity on how to help break down barriers to fair housing opportunity, including by providing local authorities with better data to analyze their housing needs. “According to news reports, Secretary Carson proposed taking the words “free from discrimination” out of HUD’s mission statement. He also reportedly halted fair housing investigations, and sidelined top advisors in HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. These are unprecedented attacks on fair housing that must not go unanswered.
“Let’s not forget that Donald Trump and his father were once charged with violating the Fair Housing Act, for discriminating against African American and Puerto Rican renters. Given that Trump was engaged in housing discrimination himself, it is unsurprising that his Administration has been so hostile to fair housing protections. “My bill, the Restoring Fair Housing Protections Eliminated by HUD Act, is designed to put protections that Ben Carson and the Trump Administration have diminished back in place. The legislation requires HUD to implement the AFFH rule as soon as is possible, codifies HUD’s mission statement in statute, and requires HUD to reverse other harmful actions the Trump Administration has taken to weaken fair housing. “It is also important to recognize that as technology has evolved, so too are the ways that Americans are searching for and finding housing. A recent study found that 73 percent of all renters use online platforms to find housing. Regulators must be proactive in scrutinizing online platforms where housing is advertised to ensure that their algorithms and targeting tools are not being utilized to discriminate against minority groups. “It is a positive development that following public pressure from advocates HUD reversed its decision to halt its investigation into Facebook and allowed HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to charge Facebook with violating the Fair Housing Act. However, much more must be done to ensure that digital platforms are not being used for housing discrimination. “So, I look forward to discussing these matters with our panel of experts, and hearing their insights on fighting discrimination and ensuring that there are fair housing opportunities for every American. “With that, I now recognize the Ranking Member of the Committee, Mr. McHenry, for five minutes for an opening statement.”
Thursday, April 11, 2019
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3
Legal Notices LegaL Notice
To merchants who have accepted Visa and Mastercard at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019: Notice of a class action settlement of approximately $5.54-6.24 Billion. Si desea leer este aviso en español, llámenos o visite nuestro sitio web, www.PaymentCardSettlement.com. Notice of a class action settlement authorized by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. This notice is authorized by the Court to inform you about an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit that may affect you. The lawsuit claims that Visa and Mastercard, separately, and together with certain banks, violated antitrust laws and caused merchants to pay excessive fees for accepting Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, including by: • Agreeing to set, apply, and enforce rules about merchant fees (called default interchange fees); • Limiting what merchants could do to encourage their customers to use other forms of payment; and • Continuing that conduct after Visa and Mastercard changed their corporate structures. The defendants say they have done nothing wrong. They say that their business practices are legal and the result of competition, and have benefitted merchants and consumers. The Court has not decided who is right because the parties agreed to a settlement. The Court has given preliminary approval to this settlement.
The SeTTlemenT Under the settlement, Visa, Mastercard, and the bank defendants have agreed to provide approximately $6.24 billion in class settlement funds. Those funds are subject to a deduction to account for certain merchants that exclude themselves from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, but in no event will the deduction be greater than $700 million. The net class settlement fund will be used to pay valid claims of merchants that accepted Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards at any time between January 1, 2004 and January 25, 2019. This settlement creates the following Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class: All persons, businesses, and other entities that have accepted any Visa-Branded Cards and/or Mastercard-Branded Cards in the United States at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019, except that the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class shall not include (a) the Dismissed Plaintiffs, (b) the United States government, (c) the named Defendants in this Action or their directors, officers, or members of their families, or (d) financial institutions that have issued Visa-Branded Cards or Mastercard-Branded Cards or acquired Visa-Branded Card transactions or Mastercard-Branded Card transactions at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019. The Dismissed Plaintiffs are plaintiffs that previously settled and dismissed their own lawsuit against a Defendant, and entities related to those plaintiffs. If you are uncertain about whether you may be a Dismissed Plaintiff, you should call 1-800-625-6440 or visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com for more information.
WhaT merchanTS Will geT from The SeTTlemenT Every merchant in the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class that does not exclude itself from the class by the deadline described below and files a valid claim will get money from the class settlement fund. The value of each claim will be based on the actual or estimated interchange fees attributable to the merchant’s Mastercard and Visa payment card transactions from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019. Pro rata payments to merchants who file valid claims for a portion of the class settlement fund will be based on: • The amount in the class settlement fund after the deductions described below, • The deduction to account for certain merchants who exclude themselves from the class, • Deductions for the cost of settlement administration and notice, applicable taxes on the settlement fund and any other related tax expenses, money awarded to the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs for their service on behalf of the Class, and attorneys’ fees and expenses, all as approved by the Court, and • The total dollar value of all valid claims filed. Attorneys’ fees and expenses and service awards for the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs: For work done through final approval of the settlement by the district court, Rule 23(b) (3) Class Counsel will ask the Court for attorneys’ fees in an amount that is a reasonable proportion of the class settlement fund, not to exceed 10% of the class settlement fund, to compensate all of the lawyers and their law firms that have worked on the class case. For additional work to administer the settlement, distribute the funds, and litigate any appeals, Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel may seek reimbursement at their normal hourly rates. Rule 23(b) (3) Class Counsel will also request (i) an award of their litigation expenses (not including the administrative costs of settlement or notice), not to exceed $40 million and (ii)
up to $250,000 per each of the eight Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs in service awards for their efforts on behalf of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.
hoW
To
aSk
for
PaymenT
To receive payment, merchants must fill out a claim form. If the Court finally approves the settlement, and you do not exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, you will receive a claim form in the mail or by email. Or you may ask for one at: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com, or call: 1-800-625-6440.
legal righTS
and
oPTionS
Merchants who are included in this lawsuit have the legal rights and options explained below. You may: • File a claim to ask for payment. Once you receive a claim form, you can submit it via mail or email, or may file it online at www.PaymentCardSettlement.com. • Exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class. If you exclude yourself, you can individually sue the Defendants on your own at your own expense, if you want to. If you exclude yourself, you will not get any money from this settlement. If you are a merchant and wish to exclude yourself, you must make a written request, place it in an envelope, and mail it with postage prepaid and postmarked no later than July 23, 2019, or send it by overnight delivery shown as sent by July 23, 2019, to Class Administrator, Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement, P.O. Box 2530, Portland, OR 97208-2530. Your written request must be signed by a person authorized to do so and provide all of the following information: (1) the words “In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation,” (2) your full name, address, telephone number, and taxpayer identification number, (3) the merchant that wishes to be excluded from the Rule 23(b) (3) Settlement Class, and what position or authority you have to exclude the merchant, and (4) the business names, brand names, “doing business as” names, taxpayer identification number(s), and addresses of any stores or sales locations whose sales the merchant desires to be excluded. You also are requested to provide for each such business or brand name, if reasonably available: the legal name of any parent (if applicable), dates Visa or Mastercard card acceptance began (if after January 1, 2004) and ended (if prior to January 25, 2019), names of all banks that acquired the Visa or Mastercard card transactions, and acquiring merchant ID(s). • Object to the settlement. The deadline to object is July 23, 2019. To learn how to object, visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com or call 1-800-625-6440. Note: If you exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class you cannot object to the settlement. For more information about these rights and options, visit: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.
if
courT aPProveS final SeTTlemenT
The
The
Members of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class who do not exclude themselves by the deadline will be bound by the terms of this settlement, including the release of claims against the released parties provided in the settlement agreement, whether or not the members file a claim for payment. The settlement will resolve and release claims by class members for monetary compensation or injunctive relief against Visa, Mastercard, or other defendants. The release bars the following claims: • Claims based on conduct and rules that were alleged or raised in the litigation, or that could have been alleged or raised in the litigation relating to its subject matter. This includes any claims based on interchange fees, network fees, merchant discount fees, no-surcharge rules, no-discounting rules, honor-all-cards rules, and certain other conduct and rules. These claims are released if they already have accrued or accrue in the future up to five years following the court’s approval of the settlement and the resolution of all appeals. • Claims based on rules in the future that are substantially similar to – i.e., do not change substantively the nature of – the above-mentioned rules as they existed as of preliminary approval of the settlement. These claims based on future substantially similar rules are released if they accrue up to five years following the court’s approval of the settlement and the resolution of all appeals. The settlement’s resolution and release of these claims is intended to be consistent with and no broader than federal
law on the identical factual predicate doctrine. The release does not extinguish the following claims: • Claims based on conduct or rules that could not have been alleged or raised in the litigation. • Claims based on future rules that are not substantially similar to rules that were or could have been alleged or raised in the litigation. • Any claims that accrue more than five years after the court’s approval of the settlement and the resolution of any appeals. The release also will have the effect of extinguishing all similar or overlapping claims in any other actions, including but not limited to the claims asserted in a California state court class action brought on behalf of California citizen merchants and captioned Nuts for Candy v. Visa, Inc., et al., No. 17-01482 (San Mateo County Superior Court). Pursuant to an agreement between the parties in Nuts for Candy, subject to and upon final approval of the settlement of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, the plaintiff in Nuts for Candy will request that the California state court dismiss the Nuts for Candy action. Plaintiff’s counsel in Nuts for Candy may seek an award in Nuts for Candy of attorneys’ fees not to exceed $6,226,640.00 and expenses not to exceed $493,697.56. Any fees or expenses awarded in Nuts for Candy will be separately funded and will not reduce the settlement funds available to members of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class. The release does not bar the injunctive relief claims or the declaratory relief claims that are a predicate for the injunctive relief claims asserted in the pending proposed Rule 23(b)(2) class action captioned Barry’s Cut Rate Stores, Inc., et. al. v. Visa, Inc., et al., MDL No. 1720, Docket No. 05-md-01720-MKB-JO (“Barry’s”). Injunctive relief claims are claims to prohibit or require certain conduct. They do not include claims for payment of money, such as damages, restitution, or disgorgement. As to all such claims for declaratory or injunctive relief in Barry’s, merchants will retain all rights pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which they have as a named representative plaintiff or absent class member in Barry’s, except that merchants remaining in the Rule 23(b) (3) Settlement Class will release their right to initiate a new and separate action for the period up to five (5) years following the court’s approval of the settlement and the exhaustion of appeals. The release also does not bar certain claims asserted in the class action captioned B&R Supermarket, Inc., et al. v. Visa, Inc., et al., No. 17-CV-02738 (E.D.N.Y.), or claims based on certain standard commercial disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. For more information on the release, see the full mailed Notice to Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class Members and the settlement agreement at: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.
The courT hearing abouT ThiS SeTTlemenT On November 7, 2019, there will be a Court hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement. The hearing also will address the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel’s requests for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and awards for the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs for their representation of merchants in MDL 1720, which culminated in the settlement agreement. The hearing will take place at: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York 225 Cadman Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201 You do not have to go to the Court hearing or hire an attorney. But you can if you want to, at your own cost. The Court has appointed the law firms of Robins Kaplan LLP, Berger Montague PC, and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP as Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel to represent the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.
QueSTionS? For more information about this case (In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720), you may: Call toll-free: 1-800-625-6440 Visit: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com Write to the Class Administrator: Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement P.O. Box 2530 Portland, OR 97208-2530 Email: info@PaymentCardSettlement.com Please check www.PaymentCardSettlement.com for any updates relating to the settlement or the settlement approval process.
www.PaymentCardSettlement.com • 1-800-625-6440 • info@PaymentCardSettlement.com
A4
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Entertainment
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Bill Pickett’s Invitational Rodeo Provides Rare Glimpse at African American Cowboys/Cowgirls
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo grand entry. (Cyril Bailleul photo)
The main event – playfully named “The Greatest Show on Dirt” — is the rodeo itself. Thousands of spectators gather to watch black cowboys and cowgirls compete in eight major rodeo events. Among them (abbreviations intact): Bare Back Ridin’, Bull Doggin’, Calf Ropin’, Steer Undecoratin’, Barrel Racin’, Kid’s Calf Scramblin’, Relay Racin’, and Bull Ridin’. “Nobody ever leaves disappointed,” said Barbara “Miss Kitty” Love. By Lee Eric Smith The New Tri-State Defender The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo saddles up at Agricenter International this weekend, showcasing some of America’s top African-American cowboys and cowgirls. And if you thought black folk don’t go to rodeos, let alone ride bulls and rope calves in them, you’re in for a treat – and a history lesson. Long before #OscarsSoWhite became a thing, Barbara Love knew something was off. Like a lot of people, she grew up watching Westerns on TV and at the theatres. It was who she didn’t see that caught her attention.
“It fascinated me because television glorified the cowboy,” said Love, better known as “Miss Kitty” on the rodeo circuit. “I grew up on John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Henry Fonda. And I thought, ‘My great-grandfather ran a livery stable in Alabama.” “Why is it that all the cowboys are white?” she asked. Of course, there were plenty of black cowboys. Cowgirls, too. Many of their names are forever lost to history, but one name still stands tall: William Pickett. Born near Austin, Texas in 1870, Pickett’s list of accomplishments belongs in history books – he invented
the “grab-‘em-by-the-horns” style of bull wrestling called bulldogging. He performed around the world, became the first black cowboy movie star and performed for the British Royal Family. Picket died in 1932. And although he was enshrined in multiple halls of fame, it wasn’t until 1984 that a cowboy named Lu Vason launched the Bill Pickett Rodeo to pay homage to the iconic figure. Unfortunately, even in the 1980s, America needed a black rodeo for the same reasons Pickett never got the universal appreciation he deserved. “White rodeos really weren’t open to us,” Miss Kitty said. “Either black cowboys weren’t invited, or they weren’t scored fairly. That’s just how it was.” These days, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the world’s only African American touring rodeo, bringing joy to sell-out crowds across America. Other than Memphis, additional rodeo stops include Denver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Trenton, N.J. After Lu Vason became ill and passed away, his thenwife Valeria took over the rodeo operations to continue his legacy. Under the leadership of Valeria Howard Cunningham, the rodeo has continued to thrive. You read that right: In an industry dominated by white males who typically scoff at women and/or people of color, a black woman is running the show. That brings us to how Barbara Love, the Memphis coordinator for the Pickett Rodeo, came to be known as “Miss Kitty.” In the extra-macho world of rodeos, the name started as a sexist jab, the retired teacher said. “It was from ‘Gunsmoke,’” Miss Kitty said, referring to the classic TV western. “There was only one woman on the show – Miss Kitty. And often, I was the only woman at these rodeos. So, people started calling me that. I hated it.” That only added fuel to the fire, she continued. “I used to cry,” she added. “And when people find out something like that bothers you, that’s when they really pick at you.” Stuck with a nickname she hated, she adapted and made it work for her. “It spread like wildfire to the point where I just had to go on and accept it,” Miss Kitty said. “If I was trying to call (the Mayor’s office) and used my real name, they were like, ‘Who?’ But when I said, ‘Miss Kitty,’ they knew who I was. “I didn’t name me that,” she said. “Memphis named me that.” For 28 years, Miss Kitty has brought the Bill Pickett Rodeo to Memphis, and she’s always made sure to mix education in with entertainment. Rodeo events routinely include the “Rodeo for Kidz Sake,” which exposes youngsters to animals, cowboys and cowgirls. “The kids show (In Memphis) is sold out. I could have done two kids
Barbara Love is the local organizer for the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo – but she’s better known as “Miss Kitty,” pictured here in a TSD file photo with her horse Silver.
shows this year,” she said. The rodeo experience teaches the kids about the importance of Black Americans in the development of the West. “When I started working with rodeos, I had to dig to find information about the Buffalo Soliders,” Miss Kitty said, referring to the historic. “Nobody knew about them. We’re creating an awareness about this history.” The main event – playfully named “The Greatest Show on Dirt” — is the rodeo itself. Thousands of spectators gather to watch black cowboys and cowgirls compete in eight major rodeo events. Among them (abbreviations intact): Bare Back Ridin’, Bull Doggin’, Calf Ropin’, Steer Undecoratin’, Barrel Racin’, Kid’s Calf Scramblin’, Relay Racin’, and Bull Ridin’. “Nobody ever leaves disappointed,” she said. Miss Kitty said that though she extends invitations to schools all around the Mid-South, the only schools to respond are typically in Memphis and Shelby County. Which is a shame, she said. “You can’t force somebody to participate,” Miss Kitty said. “All you can do is invite them. “I don’t understand why little white children don’t get to learn about this history.”
From Disney to Netflix The Big Takeaways from CinemaCon By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) – The movie industry has returned to their day jobs Friday after four days of schmoozing, dealmaking and watching movie studios and stars sell the best of what's to come to theaters at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. It's a time of great change in the movie business. The film distribution landscape has been irrevocably altered with Disney's still-fresh acquisition of Fox, the competition from streaming is only getting more intense, and, even though last year was a record one at the box office, this year isn't off to the best start. Publicly at least, the big Hollywood studios were unwavering in their message: We're committed to the theatrical experience. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the annual gathering of theater owners and distributors. THE STREAMING ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM Netflix has never attended CinemaCon, nor has the streaming giant even asked to be part of the splashy product showcase. Yet veiled, and sometimes explicit, references seem to come up in every presentation every year to the looming competitor that's seen as a threat to the theatergoing experience. Helen Mirren even said, “I love Netflix, but (expletive) Netflix.'' This year was a little different since Netflix recently joined the Motion Picture Association of America.
“We are all stronger advocates for creativity and the entertainment business when we are working together. All of us,'' said MPAA chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin . AMC CEO Adam Aron even said that he's even open to Netflix playing in his company's theaters, but only if they play by the same rules as all the other studios in Hollywood.
had many seeing dollar signs in their future. And Lionsgate brought out a late-game charmer in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi'' director Rian Johnson's next film, “Knives Out,'' a sharply-written Agatha Christie-style whodunit about a wealthy family whose patriarch turns up dead.
THE FOOTAGE THAT HIT Hollywood studios spend a lot of money to bring stars like Charlize Theron, Jim Carrey and Arnold Schwarzenegger , trailers and footage to Las Vegas, but the downside is that no matter how charming or funny they are, only a few really ever manage to break out in a big way. Paramount's Elton John musical “Rocketman'' got everyone jazzed and singing along to his classic hits, while teasing the high-highs and low-lows of rock star life. Universal's "Yesterday," about a struggling musician who wakes up from an accident to find that he's the only one in the world who knows the music of The Beatles (and uses it to his advantage) also looks like it will be a fun summer charmer. Disney brought out the classic “everything the light touches'' scene from its CG/live-action adaption of “The Lion King.'' The stunning landscapes and life-like fur shown of Simba and his father gazing out at the sunrise
The Disney/Fox deal may have been an arranged marriage, at least for the remaining executives at 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight, but everyone put on a good face for the theater owners while also referencing the magnitude of the change. It was a little strange to see a montage featuring “Avatar,'' “Titanic,'' “Hidden Figures,'' “Toy Story,'' “Frozen'' and the “Avengers'' all together. But the 2019 Fox releases have been officially blended in with the Disney releases (and some will have to move as they currently occupy the same release date). “We believe that together we will be more than the sum of our parts,'' said Alan Horn, the Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios.
DISNEY SHOWS OFF ITS NEW TOY: FOX
BUSINESS WAS UP, BUT... Did you hear? 2018 was a record year at the box office with $11.9 billion in ticket sales. (Of course you did, because every studio and trade association chief made sure
to mention it over and over again this week.) And yet this year the box office is still down nearly 16 percent. Privately, some smaller theater owners grumbled about the lousy first three months of 2019 in movies for their bottom lines, even with hits like “Us'' and “Captain Marvel.'' “Avengers: Endgame,'' is coming after all. But it takes more than one mega-hit to save an entire industry. DIVERSITY BRINGS AUDIENCES For an industry propped up by the successes of superhero films, every studio seemed keen to remind theater owners that they don't just make those kinds of movies. And indeed, the message remains that diversity sells. Last year, when films like “Black Panther'' and “Crazy Rich Asians'' became massive hits, ticket-buyers were younger and more diverse than ever. It's fitting, then, that the convention brought out “Crazy Rich Asians'' director Jon M. Chu to talk about why when faced with a choice between a streaming release or a theatrical one for his film, he chose the theater. “The weekend became a can't miss cultural event. This story would not have happened without the theatrical experience...we made movie stars,'' Chu said. “In a time when we need shared experiences more than other to help see each other, (cinema) can be the most powerful potent tool.''
Thursday, April 11, 2019
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5
Sports
NCAA Tournament Final Four By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com The beauty of sports can easily be found on any playground or ball field around the country. Players trying to one-up each other in fair-minded competition. As leagues formed and teams began to play, some assert their dominance and the smaller, less well-known teams become less relevant by some viewers. This is not far from what happened in this year’s NCAA Final Four Tournament. Auburn took out North Carolina then Kentucky last week and Michigan State beat Duke on route to their Final Four Appearance. Minneapolis, Minnesota would be the scene one of the best college basketball championship games in Tournament history. Texas Tech and Virginia earned their way to the championship game by knocking teams that have been playing terrific college basketball. Let’s review how these teams got to play for this season’s NCAA Tournament Championship. Having knocked out a pair of the most recognizable teams in college basketball the Auburn Tigers lost a controversial game to the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday night. That game against the Tigers came down to a questionable foul called, on a three-point shot, in the final seconds of the game that gave Virginia a chance to take the lead with less than one second on the game clock. Kyle Guy confidently went to the line and knocked down each one of those free throws to win the game for the Cavaliers, sending them to their first ever NCAA Championship game. In a tightly contested defensive matchup the Texas Tech Red Raiders outlasted the Michigan State Spartans. Matt Mooney’s three 3-point shots mid-way through the second half gave the Red Raiders the burst of offense they needed. Lubbock, then Texas, native and Big 12 Conference Player of the Year Jarret Culver then made just enough bigtime buckets to close the game out for Texas Tech, sending them to their first ever NCAA Championship game. This was the 1st time, in nearly 40 years that both teams have reached the NCAA Tournament Championship game for this first time in the same season. With this matchup
of these defensive-minded teams, one would guess that we would see a low scoring game. It was just that through the first half as the game ended with Virginia up by three points 32-29. The Cavaliers led by 8 with under 6 minutes to go in the second half. Texas Tech responded with a couple of 3 point plays to shrink the lead, before Texas Tech leading scorer Culver gave them the lead on a smooth drive to the hoop, with under 30 seconds in the game. Up by 3, If I’m Texas Tech, I’m instructing my team to intentionally foul the Cavaliers allowing them to only score 2 points on that possession. Instead, the Virginia point guard came down and penetrated the paint and kicked out too, the game’s leading scorer, De’Andre Hunter who knocked down 3, of his career-high 27 points, to tie up the ballgame and send the game into overtime. Though Brandon Francis of Texas Tech chipped in 17 points off the bench, their long and lanky defender Tariq Owens fouled out in regulation and was not available in overtime. The Cavaliers led by Hunter and Kyle Guy’s 24 points opened up an insurmountable lead, in OT, to close out their first ever NCAA Basketball Championship victory. This game was another example of why they play the game. On paper the appeared to be an unsexy match up with one young team in Texas Tech and the only #1 seed to ever lose to a #16 in Virginia. This was, in fact, the 8th overall National Championship Game to go into overtime and the 1st since 2008. Although my bracket was busted once Auburn upset of North Carolina, the Texas Tech Red Raiders showed true grit while the Virginia Cavaliers displayed championship resolve to bounce back from last season’s disappointment to become 2019 NCAA National Champions this season. If you like basketball, you had to enjoy this game. Please share your thoughts on the National Championship game and if you would’ve fouled as the game came to a close in regulation, by reaching out to me on @whatsgoodinsports on twitter or commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com.
The Virginia Cavaliers win the NCAA Championship for the 1st time in school history. (courtesy photo)
LA Clippers Opened Clippers Community Courts in Watts with Community Activist Stix By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Last week, on the shared campus of University Pathways Public Service Academy High School (“The U”) and Charles Drew Middle School the L.A. Clippers introduced Clippers Community Courts in partnership with American Airlines. This is certainly consistent with their efforts to make the Los Angeles community a better place with their multitude of events they’ve hosted all year, around the city. In attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker, L.A City Councilman Joe Buscaino, Watts community activist Stix, former Clippers Alumni Ryan Hollins and Craig Smith. After the ribbon cutting ceremony was complete, the children in attendance were given basketball clinics by the Hollins and Smiths, while the other addressed the media. It was the passion and support of locally raised and celebrated rapper/writer/ born and raised local Watts community activist producer Brandon “Stix” SalaamBailey. Stix also leads the Think Watts Foundation as well as just recently written and produced the Clippers’ “Clip City” anthem for this season. The facilities include 110,000 square feet of refurbished outdoor space an updated gymnasium with a full-size indoor basketball court, including nine and a half basketball courts, two volleyball courts, two tennis courts, two four square courts, four handball courts, new garden space and a walking path, plus a new exterior paint job for the school gym. Speaking of the Clippers giving back, these new Clippers Community Courts are among to the 350 L.A.’s Department of Recreation and Parks across Los Angeles that the Clippers are currently in the process of renovating. As the Clippers compete for the appreciation of basketball fans in Los Angeles, they are clearly leaders in the city when it comes to providing for the various communities of Los Angeles. The local children will benefit directly from the efforts of the Clippers and will have new courts to stay healthy and develop their talents. Please share your thoughts on the Clippers generosity and efforts to improve the community by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or reaching out to us on twitter @whatsgoodinsports. Your feedback is very much welcomed and appreciated. The Los Angeles Clippers partner with Watts Stix and American Airlines to update the playgrounds at this Elementary School in Watts. (courtesy photo)
Orleans
4454 W. Slauson Ave. LA, CA 90043 T • (323) 291-8800 400 E. Florence Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 T • (310) 671-6200 333 South Spring St. LA, CA 90013 T • (213) 687-0400/0600
&
YORK
D E L I
673 East University Dr., Carson, CA 90746 T • (310) 324-3100 3868 Crenshaw. Los Angeles, CA 90008 T • (323) 903-6650/6651
Orleans’ PO-BOYS
A6
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Local
freE
$
Thursday, April 11, 2019
FREE
free
City Treasurer Community Workshop
Getting Your House in $ Financial Order
$
April 27th, 2019 10 am - 2 pm Guest Speakers Include
City Treasurer Dr. Wanda Brown
Michelle Hicks - R. Hicks Realty David Wilson - Premerica Larry Springs - Service Company Realty Group Lucille Blair & Juan Thompson - Inglewood Cemetary Mortuary Billy Campbell - Allstate Insurance Dr. Rosie Milligan - Business & Credit Consultant Kori McManus - New American Funding Michael Foster - Lending Key
√ Eliminating Debt √ The Three C’s of Investing √ Buying Your First Home √ Buying Investment Property √ What You Need to Know About IRAs √ Ways to Boost Your Earning Power √ Best Time to Begin Saving for Retirement √ Critical Steps to Take Before Retirement √ Best Time to Begin Saving for Retirement √ Someting You Need to Talk About - Final Expenses √ Everything You Need to Know About Wills & Trusts √ Medicare 2019 - Information You Need to Know √ How Your Credit Score Works & How to Improve It √ Pros & Cons of Reverse Mortgages √ Mortgages - Types • Pros & Cons of Each • Down Payment Assistance • Grants & Other Assistance √ First Time Homebuyers • Qualifying Criteria • Credit Importance • Employment • Documentation √ Kinds of Life Insurance - The Good, Bad & Ugly √ Homeowners Insurance - Types √ Renter Insurance √ Understanding Your Student Loan Debt
$
$
$
Refreshments Served Prizes • Raffle Drawing!! Phone: (310) 412-5642 SAFETY
LIQUIDITY
YEILD
THE PERFECT BALANCE
Inglewood City Hall Community Room A, 1st Floor
Ben Crump Delivers at UCLA BLSA 50th Event Continued from page A1
how the late Celes King of (King Bail Bonds) bailed him out of jail several time due to being arrested for protesting. When asked to comment on today’s Law students Floyd who now lives in South Africa stated: “I am proud
Dulan’s
of today’s student’s, I’m glad they have a lot more enrolled now than we had to get this thing going, but we still have a long way to go in this country.” Crump also had a solid message for all young student’s in B.S.L.A., “We just can’t be men of society we have to be men who uplift society.”
Soul Food
On Crenshaw
Restaurant, Catering & Banquet Hall
Speakers at the UCLA Black Law 50th Anniversary Solidarity Gala huddle together on April 4th in Beverly Hills, (l-r) Actor Courtney B. Vance, Ayuko Babu, Founder of Black Law Student Association (BLSA) and Executive Director, Pan African Film Festival and Attorney Benjamin Crump Event Honoree and Keynote Speaker. The Gala raised over $180,000 to benefit incoming African American UCLA Black Law students. (Tshombe Sampson photo)
Gregory Dulan Owner
(323) 296-3034 4859 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043 www.dulansoncrenshaw.com
WIRELESS CONNECTION
T
Mobile
3420 W. SLAUSON AVE. SUITE G LOS ANGELES, CA 90043 Actor Terry Crews (L) and John Floyd (R) first President of B.S.L.A. take time out for a photo. (Earl Heath photo)
323.903.6241
