Los Angeles News Observer 10.20.22

Los AngelesLos Angeles

Racist Comments Caught on a Tape

L.A. City Council Shutdown Council Members Exposed But Still Won’t Resign

Maxim Elramsisy California Black Media

Last week, a recording anonymously posted on the social media site Reddit rocked the Los Angeles City Council. On the recording, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Hererra, City Council President Nury Martinez (District 6), and City Council members Kevin de León (District 14) and Gilbert Cedillo (District 1) can be heard discussing redistricting using crass terms and divisive, racist language.

Martinez, speaking about Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, said “F*** that guy, he’s with the Blacks.” She also used derogatory language to describe the 2-year-old Black adopted son of Councilmember Mike Bonin, who is White.

“This kid needs a beatdown. Let me take him around the corner, I’ll bring him right back,” Martinez said in the recording.

Pres. Joe Biden and Sen. Alex Padilla have called for the resignation of all four people heard on the tape.

Since the recording of the October 2021 closed door meeting was leaked, leaders across the political and social spectrum, including Pres. Joe Biden and Sen. Alex Padilla have called for the resignation of all four people heard on the tape.

Herrera resigned on Monday. Martinez took a leave of absence on Tuesday, Oct. 11, before the regular scheduled City Council meeting, then resigned on Wednesday. De Leon and Cedillo appeared at the Tuesday meeting, but after drawing the ire of the agitated public, they withdrew

from the chamber.

When the meeting finally started, one by one, members of the public, including Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), who was adopted, delivered impassioned speeches demanding the resignation of the three councilmembers.

The Council meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Friday were cancelled because protesters have promised to return to disrupt proceedings until DeLeon and Cedillo resign.

On Friday, Assemblymember Bryan told California Black Media (CBM) “I’m inspired by the solidarity we’ve seen across communities, across race, class, geography and even political boundaries. We’ve got city elected officials, state elected officials, county elected officials all the way up to the Senator for California, Sen. Padilla and the President of the United States have not only chosen to engage in this conversation, but to call for justice in these resignations, call for accountability in his resignation.

New Poll: Black Voters Overwhelmingly Support Student Debt Forgiveness

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Despite lawsuits from Republicans and other opponents, President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan appears a hit with Black voters. HIT Strategies, which bills itself as the only millennial and minority-owned public opinion research company,

found that the approval ratings for both Biden and Congressional Democrats increased by 79% to 82%, respectively, after the loan forgiveness announcement.Researchers show 56% of Black voters believe Biden has made progress on issues affecting Black voters, an increase of 12 points since July.

Fielded via an online opt-in panel from September 15-

19 (with a margin of error of +/-3.1%), the survey revealed that 86% of Black voters supported President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan, including 60% who “strongly supported” the policy.

“President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan represents another promise fulfilled on one of the most critical economic priorities for Black voters,” Terrance Woodbury, a founding partner at HIT Strategies, said in a statement.

“Now, the President must message this plan directly to voters and continue to illustrate how his policies are improving the economic well-being of Black America,” Woodbury stated.

An estimated 165,900 borrowers from the District of Columbia are eligible for student debt relief under President Joe Biden’s recent loan forgiveness plan, including 60,300 Pell Grant recipients.

In Virginia, 965,100 borrowers are eligible for relief, including 566,500 Pell Grant recipients. In Maryland, 747,100 enjoy eligibility, including 419,400 Pell Grant recipients.

State-by-state data released last month by the U.S. Department of Education estimated that more than 40 million borrowers nationwide could benefit from the student debt relief plan, and nearly 20 million might see their remaining balance discharged.

In August, Biden announced his plan to forgive borrowers up to $10,000 in debt relief and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

“The Biden Administration’s student debt relief plan will help borrowers and families recover from the pandemic and prepare to resume student loan payments in January 2023,” administration officials stated.

They said about 90% of relief dollars would go to those earning less than $75,000 per year – and no relief would go to any individual or household in the top 5% ofincomes in the United States.

Officials said by targeting relief to borrowers with the highest economic need, the administration’s actions are also likely to help narrow the racial wealth gap.

The White House noted that nearly 71% of Black undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients, and 65% of Latino undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients.

SpaceX Ferries Astronauts Back to Earth After Half-year Away

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) _ Four astronauts returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule Friday, ending their nearly six-month space station mission with a splashdown in the Atlantic off Florida.

Wet and windy weather across Florida delayed their homecoming. SpaceX and NASA finally gave the all-clear on Friday, and the three Americans and one Italian departed the International Space Station, their residence since April.

The capsule parachuted into the ocean, just off Jacksonville, Florida, about five hours later. It carried NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to complete a long-term spaceflight, and the European Space Agency’s Samantha Cristoforetti. SpaceX delivered their replacements last week.

Before checking out, the astronauts said they couldn’t wait to have a cold drink with ice, eat some pizza and ice cream, take a shower, revel in nature and, of course, reunite with their families. NASA planned to hustle them to Houston once they were off SpaceX’s recovery ship and back on solid ground.

“Getting the first few hugs when we get back is really going to be awesome,’’ Hines told reporters earlier in the week.

Remaining aboard the space station are three Americans, three Russians and one Japanese.

Migrants Rescued from Boat Off Florida Coast No Food and Water

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) – Almost 100 people, mostly from Haiti, who were rescued from an overcrowded boat off the Florida coast had no food or water for two days, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

A Coast Guard helicopter spotted the 96 Haitians, as well as a passenger each from Uganda and the Bahamas, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Boca Raton, Florida, last week. They were transferred to Bahamian authorities on Sunday.

The passengers told Coast Guard crew members that they had been at sea for a week and lacked food and water during the last two days. The 40-foot cabin cruiser was overloaded with 53 men, 35 woman and 10 children, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

No one was injured.

“Smugglers do not care whether you live or die,” said Capt. Robert Kinsey of the Coast Guard’s District Seven, citing the lack of sustenance and the overloaded vessel. “These people are lucky to be alive.’’

4 Hurt in Shooting Outside Atlanta University Library

ATLANTA (AP) _ Four people were hurt, including three students, in a shooting during Clark Atlanta University’s homecoming outside a campus library early Sunday, authorities said.

A large group of people were listening to a DJ near Atlanta University Center’s Robert W. Woodruff Library around 12:30 a.m. when officers on patrol in the area heard gunshots, Atlanta police said.

A preliminary investigation found three students and another person were injured when shots were fired from a vehicle, Clark Atlanta University said.

Atlanta police said multiple people were shot. One of the victims was grazed and refused medical attention. Three others were taken to a hospital, though they were conscious and alert.

Clark Atlanta is part of Atlanta University Center’s consortium of historically Black colleges.

Former President Obama, Michelle Obama in Chicago to Vote

CHICAGO (AP) – Former President Barack Obama is about to hit the campaign trail ahead of the Nov. 8 election, but he came home Monday with the former first lady to vote.

The two came to Chicago to vote in the city where Michelle Obama was born and raised and where the former president began his political career, first working as a community organizer before he was elected as a state senator, a U.S. senator and ultimately, president. They arrived at the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite in downtown Chicago shortly after 12:30 p.m. They chatted with poll workers, shook hands, voted and then left.

The former president said he missed the old punch-style ballots, joking that they were a way to “get out some aggression, some frustrations.’’

The former president is scheduled to be in Atlanta on Oct. 28 to campaign on behalf of Stacey Abrams, the Democrat running for governor of Georgia against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. After that, he plans to campaign in Michigan and Wisconsin on behalf of Democrats running for governor, senator and down the ballot.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan speaks at public comment on the leaked audio at the October 6 Los Angeles City council meeting.(Photo By Maxim Elramsisy, CBM)

Dr. Diandra “Dee” Bremond member of the Black Los Angeles Young Black Democrats wears shirt I’m with the Blacks at October 6, 2022  city council meeting.

Continued

President Joe Biden. (Photo: Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz via Wikimedia Commons).

L.A. City Council Members Won’t Resign Racist Comments Caught on a Tape

“I’m inspired by that, and I think it shows a lot of potential for the future,” he continued. “But I’m also a little bit frustrated and still kind of healing from the fact that de Leon and Cedillo have refused to accept accountability, and the idea that they would show up to that council meeting [Tuesday] I think was a display of complete disregard for the people and a bit of arrogance quite frankly.”

Council member Bonin tested positive for COVID, so next week’s Tuesday and Wednesday meetings will be held in an online format.

Acting Council President Mitch O’Farrell’s (District 13) office said in a statement to CBM, “It would not be appropriate for Council members De León and Cedillo to attend regardless of the meeting format. Their failure to resign cannot indefinitely interfere with the council’s ability to conduct the people’s business. They need to do the right thing and resign.”

In addition to the outrage about the racist comments in the conversation, the release of the tapes has drawn scrutiny to the redistricting process itself. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday that the California Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the Los Angeles City Council

Redistricting Process.

“It seems like it’s way too political process here in the city of Los Angeles and it should be more independent and as Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee, it’s something that I want to look at, to see if there’s a role for the state to increase the fairness and the efficacy and the impartiality of this process,” Bryan told CBM.

A spokesperson for O’Farrell told CBM, “Councilmember O’Farrell has introduced a major charter reform measure, that would go before the voters, with the intention of expanding the number of city council districts, thereby increasing representation. If that were to pass, there would be an associated special redistricting that would need to take place.

On Tuesday’s Council agenda is an item about forming an independent redistricting commission for the city. O’Farrell is very eager to discuss and vote on this item.”

“De León’s and Cedillo’s refusal to resign is another deep wound they’re inflicting on us all. Let Los Angeles heal. Resign today,” Bonin tweeted.

City Councilmembers De León and Cedilla did not respond to CBM’s requests for comments.

Spencer Overton Stepping Down as President of the Joint Center

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

After nearly a decade leading the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Spencer Overton will step down next spring.

The organization announced that Overton, 54, would leave and rejoin the George Washington University Law School faculty.

“It has been one of the richest experiences of my life to lead the Joint Center during this critical period in its history,” Overton stated in a news release.

“When I started, we faced significant challenges. It is gratifying to have worked together with so many great people to overcome those obstacles and set the Joint Center

on a trajectory toward a bright future.”

Overton helped to lead the Joint Center through what officials called an era of incredible transformation and growth.

Known for well-researched reports exposing racial discrimination and inequities, the Joint Center has released such studies as the state of Black students in community colleges, improving training evaluation data to brighten the future of Black workers, and racial diversity among Senate Committee top staff.

The center earned its reputation as “America’s Black think tank.”

Many have leaned upon the Joint Center for its compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the “full freedom of Black people in America.”

appointments, workforce policy, economic policy, and tech policy.

“The Joint Center and Black communities will forever be indebted to Spencer Overton for his amazing leadership over the ten years he served on the board and then as President,” The Joint Center’s Board of Directors Chairman Paul Thornell stated.

“He kept the doors open when shuttering the organization was definitely one option. Indeed, that was no small feat, and one performed with great humility, creativity, and persistence over the years.”

Thornell said Overton had effectively been the founder of the new organization, one with a rich history and now – primarily because of him – “an amazing future grounded in convening and content.”

“The Board so appreciates his contributions and his vision for the important mission work only the Joint Center can deliver,” Thornell asserted.

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Ellen Coley

Credo - The Black Press believes that

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when it accounts to every person, regardless of race,

Under Overton’s leadership, the Joint Center regained fiscal health and eventually grew its total net assets to over $11 million, officials said in a news release.

Overton restructured the organization and built programs that focused on the future of Black communities, including racial diversity in congressional staff and federal

“It also is critical to recognize the vital leadership of Barbara Johnson, who was the Board chair for most of Spencer’s time as president. They were fantastic partners in charting a new path for the Joint Center.”

Student Debt Forgiveness

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Moreover, HIT Strategies said Biden’s plan should help Democrats in the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

Researchers found that the number of Black voters who say they will vote in the midterm elections increased from 79% to 82% since last month.

Further, the number of Black voters who believe their vote has the power to effect change on the issues that matterto them increased from 64% to 67% since last month.

“During the campaign, President Biden promised to provide student debt relief,” administration officials said.

President Biden Announces

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Fix to Family Glitch in Obamacare Subsidies

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

With an estimated 5.1 million people falling into the so-called family glitch – primarily children and women –the Biden administration has issued a rule that makes it easier for those with employer-sponsored health plans to get Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The rule, which comes from the Internal Revenue Service, fixes the glitch that prevented family members from receiving Obamacare subsidies if a household member had access to employer-sponsored healthcare coverage that meets specific requirements identified in the law.

Obamacare required that employer plans be affordable for employees. Unfortunately, it didn’t offer that same protection for family members.

“Health care should be a right, not a privilege. But for many Americans caught in the so-called family glitch, the peace of mind that health insurance brings has remained out of reach,” President Joe Biden offered in a statement.

“Because of this glitch, employer-based health insurance has been considered ‘affordable’ if the coverage is affordable for the employee even if it is not for their family members – making those family members ineligible for Affordable Care Act subsidies even though they need them to afford quality coverage.”

In April, the president announced a proposal to fix what the administration called a regulatory flaw.

Beginning in November, families can sign up to take advantage of the change.

The White House said about 1 million Americans would either gain coverage or see their insurance becomemore affordable because of the new rule.

“This marks the most significant administrative action since the law was first put into place,” Biden asserted.

“It builds on our progress so far, which has brought the rate of uninsured Americans to a record-low eight percent. My administration will continue working every day to lower costs and expand quality, affordable health coverage to all Americans.”

The Urban Institute estimated that eliminating the family glitch would decrease employer spending by roughly $2 billion annually.

“Changing the family glitch would lower health care premiums for hundreds of thousands of affected families without undermining employer coverage,” researchers atthe Urban Institute found.

“There would be a modest increase in health coverage, but the biggest effect would be to improve affordability. There would be a small increase in federal government spending and a tiny increase in state spending that would be at least partially offset by additional tax revenue.”

Protecting and strengthening implementation of the Affordable Care Act remains key to increasing access to quality, affordable health care,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote in a statement.

“Today’s action resolves a flaw in prior ACA regulations to bring more affordable coverage to about one million Americans. Our goal is simple: leave no one behind and give everyone the peace of mind that comes with health insurance,” Becerra stated.

He continued:

“Under President Biden’s leadership, our nation’s uninsured rate is at an all-time low, and Affordable Care Act enrollment is at an all-time high. This is not by accident. We are meeting people where they are to tell them about their healthcare options through unprecedented outreach efforts. And through landmark legislation like the

The rule, which comes from the Internal Revenue Service, fixes the glitch that prevented family members from receiving Obamacare subsidies if a household member had access to employersponsored healthcare coverage that meets specific requirements identified in the law.

The organization announced that Overton, 54, would leave and rejoin the George Washington University Law School faculty.

American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, we have offered the lowest ACA premium rates in history. Our work to expand coverage and lower healthcare costs for American families never stops.

“Whether you’re part of a family previously affected by this glitch, or an individual buying insurance on the marketplace, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring you have access to the healthcare you deserve.”

City council members Gill Cedillo and Kevin de Leon sat in City Hall chambers on October 6 before leaving city hall because of angry community members that would not let the city council meeting begin until they left the chambers.(Photo By Maxim Elramsisy, CBM)

“The Biden Administration is following through on that promise and providing families breathing room as they prepare to start re-paying loans after the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.”

Entertainment

Film-Till - For Whoopi Goldberg, ‘Till’ Release Comes After Long Wait

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ When Whoopi Goldberg was invited to help produce an Emmett Till project, the actor thought she knew everything about the Black teenager's 1955 kidnapping and lynching _ until she learned the untold stories about how his mother handled the horrific aftermath.

After Goldberg dove deep into Till's backstory, she and her production teammates Barbara Broccoli and Fred Zollo eagerly pitched movie ideas to several major studios. All eventually turned them down. It became discouraging at times, but after more than two decades of trying to get the project green lit, Hollywood finally took notice following George Floyd's death in 2020.

Goldberg said that's when MGM's Orion Pictures stepped up to financially support the development of “Till,'' which opens in theaters Friday and includes some of the behind-the-scenes details about Mamie Till-Mobley's monumental decision to expose the brutality of her son's death to educate people.

“People kind of hopped up and said, `Wait a minute, this is not okay with any of us,''' Goldberg recalled after the killing of Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes. She said

Floyd's death struck a chord throughout the U.S. the same way Till's lynching created public uproar 60-plus years ago.

“Corporations started to pay attention,'' said Goldberg, who added that she's been pushing a Till project for over 20 years - which was long enough for her to go from being a “young woman with a kid'' to now a grandmother. “Orion said 'Listen, we do want to tell this story. We want to help you tell this story. We've been waiting a long time.''

Goldberg said several directors were interviewed, but they were easily won over by Chinonye Chukwu _ who wanted to primarily focus her film on Till's mother. The new movie follows the true and untold story of TillMobley, whose decision to publicize her 14-year-old son's brutal death for whistling at a white woman in Mississippi helped spark the civil rights movement.

“Without Mamie, the world wouldn't know who Emmett Till was, and she is the heartbeat of the story,'' said the director, who called Till-Mobley a “warrior for justice'' while she combatted racism, sexism and misogyny in wake of her son's killing.

Chukwu said she had unconditional support from Goldberg, who said the director was an obvious fit.

“(Goldberg) constantly communicated her unwavering belief in my artistry and my abilities to be able to tell this story in a way that it needed to be told,'' said Chukwu,

who directed the 2019 drama “Clemency'' starring Alfre Woodard. “That kind of support made me feel so seen as an artist, as a human being, and as a Black woman. I will never forget that kind of support.''

Chukwu co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Reilly and Keith Beauchamp _ a filmmaker best known for his extensive research behind Till's abduction. His 2005 documentary “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till'' played a major role in the U.S. Department of Justice's decision to reopen the Till investigation.

Beauchamp became friends with Till-Mobley, who was a mentor to him before she died in 2003. His work laid the foundation for Chukwu, who called Beauchamp a “treasure trove'' of information and research in telling her cinematic story.

“It was incredible for myself to learn more about who she was as a person,'' she said. “The many aspects of her life _ with her girlfriends, with her man, with her church, at work, with her mother and a community of people who were so critical to her world. I learned so much about that. I knew audiences will learn a lot about that too along with the other people involved in the story.''

Chukwu felt the need to focus on Till-Mobley's emotional journey, but she wanted to also explore how Till's death impacted his other family members, like his

young cousins who witnessed his kidnapping. She made an effort to recreate “real character driven moments'' in twoperson scenes.

“I just wanted to add more layers to the complexity of their relationships and the positions that they were in, in the story and in the world,'' she said. “It was great to unpack that, those layers and emotional subtext with the actors as well.''

Danielle Deadwyler, who stars as Till-Mobley, applauded Chukwu's storytelling along with Beauchamp's ability to “access the truth.'' She commended Goldberg and other producers for staying diligent.

“This is something Mamie wanted done since around 1955. It's about her seeking to tell this story,” Deadwyler said. “The work that Chinoye and I did together in preparing through rigorous research of visual and academic, in just giving ourselves over to this grave task, that's what this experience has been and what we hope to share.''

Goldberg, who portrays Till's grandmother Alma Carthan, said she's open to the idea of exploring more films that deal with racial struggles.

“I will produce as many things as we can get made,'' she said. “You know, Black people go in and out of popularity, so you got to hit while the iron is hot.''

Renowned Pianist Fats Domino has Street Renamed in His Honor

By CHEVEL JOHNSON Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ The New Orleans street where one of the founders of rock `n’ roll spent most of his life is being renamed in his honor.

A community-wide Second line and Musical Celebration begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the longtime home of Antoine “Fats’’ Domino on Caffin Avenue, which will now be known as Antoine “Fats’’ Domino Avenue. Led by the Stooges Brass Band, the second line will proceed down the renamed street to Oliver Bush Park, where musical tributes to Domino will occur.

Domino sold more than 110 million records, with hits including “Blueberry Hill,’’ ?Ain’t That a Shame’’ _ originally titled “Ain’t It A Shame’’_ and other standards of rock `n’ roll. Saturday’s free celebration will feature performances by Kermit Ruffin, Al “Carnival Time’’ Johnson, Al “Little Fats’’ Jackson and Domino’s grandson, Antoine Domino Jr.

Rev. Willie Calhoun, who has lived in the Lower 9 his whole life and is one of the celebration’s organizers, said the

recognition for Domino is a long-time coming.

“Fats never left the city and he’s never really been celebrated, even though he chose to stay in New Orleans and to raise his family in the Lower 9,” Calhoun said. “He had a choice to live anywhere he wanted and he made the choice to live right here.

“I think this event will help bring some life and recognition to the neighborhood. The Lower 9 has gotten so much negative press, we wanted to bring people back to the area and show them the reason why Fats stayed. He stayed because this is a valuable and viable community.”

Domino died Oct. 24, 2017, of natural causes at the age of 89. He survived the massive flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, but had to be rescued by boat from his home, where he tried to ride out the storm. Storm surge flood waters poured into the Lower 9th Ward, knocking many homes off their foundations. A large barge was swept by flood waters into the neighborhood, leveling homes beneath it. The area was flooded again by Hurricane Rita a month later.

Features

Black Republicans Running for Congress Hope their Campaigns Lead to More Black Votes For the GOP

Solomon O. Smith California Black Media

The Republican Party has found it hard to convince Black Californians to join them. But for Black Republican candidates running for Congress in California, it’s about running winning campaigns, which means getting voters to accept the Republican Party platform.

What that platform is, however, depends on which Republican you ask.

Republican Joe Collins III is hoping that the second time is a charm. A 13-year Navy veteran, who spent his early years in South Central LA, Collins ran against Maxine Waters for her Congressional seat in 2020. Now he is running against Ted Lui to represent California’s 36th Congressional district after making it onto the November 8 ballot with 14% of the vote — well behind Lui’s 66%.

Collins sees the race as a referendum on both parties. He asserts that the Democratic party, which has controlled much of California for the last few decades, has failed Black constituents. He believes the ideologies of the Republican party are more in line with traditional African American values, but the party needs to reach out.

“We don’t have a lot of people that are Black that are in the Republican Party speaking to the everyday stuff of Black America, it just doesn’t happen,” says Collins.

Craig De Luz, a longtime Republican advisor in California, explains that more is needed than just trying to get African Americans to register as Republicans. It is about getting them to see the Republican platform as aligned with their own values. DeLuz, and other Black Republicans are trying to reframe their political positions to correspond with those values.

For DeLuz and Collins how a person votes at the end of the day is what is important.

The idea that neither party has performed well for its members is a distinct part of the pitch that Black Republicans are trying to make. Pastor Brian Hawkins’ website express his views upfront in the motto, “We the People vs the Establishment.”

Hawkins is the Republican on the November ballot in the race to represent California’s 25th Congressional district. He advanced through his primaries with 16.4% of the vote and will face Democrat Raul Ruiz who received 56.4%, according to Ballotpedia.

Hawkins served on the Jacinto city council. He also served time in prison during his youth. According to Hawkins, he chose to turn his ten years in prison into an

opportunity to change his life. He created mentorship programs to help other inmates. His unique background echoes many of the issues facing some Black Americans. A lifelong Republican, he joined the party based on the positions it held during the mid-1980’s, “not so much where the party is right now.”

The current Republican party is difficult for Hawkins to explain. He admits that he has occasionally supported Democrats because he votes with the platform and not necessarily the party. In 2016 he voted for Hilary Clinton.

“Even as a pastor, when we did precincts at our church, I never encouraged anyone to vote any particular party. I encourage people to vote with what speaks to their issues,” says Hawkins. “And, you know, both parties can be off from issues that are concerning the everyday person. I voted for Democrats in the last election, and I have never just said, ‘Hey, I’m going red all the way down my ticket.’”

Hawkins admits that there are some in the Republican party that adhere to what he describes as “anger and

Justin Fairfax Clearing His Name

#MeToo Scandal with Help

Others

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

For the past four years, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax said his accusers had avoided investigations into their sordid claims. It has forced Fairfax, his wife, and his children to live with the indignity of  him being labeled a sex offender. With an active FBI investigation into Old Dominion political figures that reportedly have uncovered some nefarious payouts by Fairfax’s rivals to the women, the one-time Lt. Governor and would-be governor believes all of this has finally cleared his name. “There are some real truth-tellers who cut through the political sensationalism and what is the truth,” Fairfax said during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s live morning news program, Let It Be Known.

“I would be the only African American governor in the United States today,” Fairfax demanded, had it not been for what now appears false allegations. “This resulted in large part because they wanted to smear me. We have a 400-year history of Black males being falsely accused. Once people find out that it’s not true, it’s extremely difficult to get the politicians and the journalists to admit they were wrong.” In 2019, during the Virginia gubernatorial campaign, two women alleged that Fairfax sexually assaulted them. The allegations suspiciously arrived when racist photos of then-Gov. Ralph Northam, seeking reelection in the race against Fairfax, surfaced. Old photos showed Northam in blackface or wearing Ku Klux Klan garb. “Within three minutes, Terry McAuliffe called for me to resign as lieutenant governor,” Fairfax noted. “Talk about due process. There was a retroactive fabrication, and so many people connected to this. The scandals involving Northam and Fairfax paved the way for McAuliffe to run for governor, losing to Glenn Youngkin in the 2021 race. “Terry ran again, and so many involved need to be held accountable. This smear campaign has been going on for nearly four years,” Fairfax stated. “It’s really cruel what’s been done.” Fairfax has maintained his innocence and repeatedly called for a criminal investigation. He filed a defamation lawsuit against CBS News for the network’s interviews with his accusers, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Wilson. Though a judge ultimately threw out the suit, Fairfax noted numerous inconsistencies. For example, he’s alleged that McAuliffe and Richmond, Virginia, Mayor

Levar Stoney were chiefly responsible for orchestrating his demise. Reportedly, investigators are homing in on Stoney and McAuliffe, both rivals of Fairfax. “Had Fairfax ascended to governor in 2019, replacing Northam, he would have been the prohibitive favorite for the nomination in 2021, cutting out McAuliffe and Stoney,” political writers for The Intercept determined. “One of the things liars tend to do is change or modify their stories, and Justin never changed,” said Journalist Lauren Burke, who worked on Fairfax’s campaign. “The other thing you don’t see is someone in trouble asking for police involvement. That never happens,” Burke continued. “Anyone sitting with the FBI with no attorney present stands out. It also stands out that the people making the allegations disappear when prosecutors get involved. Then the FBI gets involved, and one of the attorneys for the accuser gets angry. If your client is the victim of a crime, you should want law enforcement involved.” Burke, who championed and stood by Fairfax from the beginning, finally has company. Sophia Nelson, a journalist and former House Republican Congressional Committee counsel wrote an editorial this month apologizing to Fairfax. Nelson acknowledged Fairfax as a “young, well-educated Black man with a lovely wife and beautiful children, all by his late 30s.” “A former federal prosecutor with a spotless personal and ethical record and a great future ahead. Until the bottom fell out,” Nelson penned. She continued: “He became a target for the #MeToo movement. But evidence recently emerged that Fairfax might have been the victim of a coordinated smear campaign.” “Thankfully, I was among the journalists who reviewed the new information, and I was stunned by what I learned,” Nelson wrote. “As a Black woman who was a victim of sexual assault as a young girl, I had immediate empathy for the women who accused Fairfax. After all, we should believe women when they share their stories. Right? Of course, but looking back now at how hard I was on Fairfax, I think I was wrong. I think we all were.” Fairfax said he’s grateful to Nelson, Roland Martin, and the Black Press for not rushing to judgment. “I’m very grateful to Sophia, and I thanked her for her courage, integrity, and willingness to tell the truth, which has been missing for three and a half years,” Fairfax said. “This will come down in history as one of the greatest scandals in politics in the history of Virginia and our nation.”

racism.” He has even encountered voters who were concerned that his long beard would make him look “too Muslim.” Hawkins thinks this is holding his party back and that those who pretend not to see it are “just fooling themselves.”

Hawkins describes discussing Trump as sad because it makes the party about one person. He thinks Trump should not run in 2024 and that there should be more space made for new leadership with different perspectives like himself. He wants to look beyond this to what he thinks the party can be.

“I really kind of have a hard time getting behind him [Trump] because I really want to see this country move forward. We want to see people get uplifted and get access to equal opportunities,” said Hawkins. “You know, things like that, it just irritates me.”

Tamika Hamilton is a mother and wife to Ray Hamilton, a police officer. She spent 14-years active service in the U.S. Airforce and is currently an Air Force Reservist. She is running as a Republican against Ami Bera

to represent California’s 6th Congressional District.

Hamilton says her candidacy is more about policy than party. If she is elected, it’s possible she would be the only Republican Black woman in Congress, and the second in history after Mia Love, who served Utah’s 4th district from 2015 to 2019.

Like Hawkins and Collins, Hamilton is trying to defeat an incumbent Democrat in what is considered to be a safe Democratic district.

Her strong Christian values are imbedded in her platform and in a 2020 Good Morning America profile she talked about what being a Republican means to her.

“Republicans offer a space for you to uphold the values that this country was founded upon,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton, Hawkins and Collins all describe themselves as favoring platform over party, but they are devotedly Republican. They all see personal connection as a way to bridge the gap between the Black community and the Republican party.

November 8 is election day.

Tamika Hamilton, an Air Force veteran, is running for the U.S. House California District 6 seat (Courtesy Photo)

Pastor Brian E. Hawkins, a contender for the U.S. House California District 25 (Courtesy Photo)

Joe Collins III, who is running for California Congressional seat 36 (Courtesy Photo)

Features

Biden and Bass Tout Local Jobs Created from Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

Maxim Elramsisy California Black Media

On Thursday, October 13 President Joe Biden and Congresswoman and mayoral candidate Karen Bass visited the site of the future Metro Purple Line stop at the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles and spoke about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Joining Biden and Bass were Sen. Alex Padilla, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Reps. Maxine Waters, Nanette Barragan Ted Lieu, and Brad Sherman.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest longterm investment in infrastructure in the nation’s history. It provides $550 billion per year through 2026 for updating transportation including improving public safety and climate resilience. Grants can be awarded to projects across a broad swath of infrastructure including maritime, aviation, highways, and railroads.

“A law that’s going to deliver clean air; safer water systems, eliminating lead pipes; electric grid to deliver clean energy; high-speed Internet; electric charging stations all across America; the power to fleet — to take care of the fleets of new electric vehicles,” said President Biden. “It’s the most significant investment America has made in our infrastructure — literally, not figuratively — since the Interstate Highway System built by Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

Section 25019(a) of the law allows recipients of grants to “implement a local or other geographical or economic hiring preference relating to the use of labor for construction of a project funded by the grant, including pre-hire agreements, subject to any applicable State and local laws, policies, and procedures.”

“The local hire provision that we passed and that

the President signed into law, allows local transportation agencies like L.A. Metro to prioritize the hiring of local Angelenos for projects that are taking place in their own backyard,” said Bass.

The Purple line extension runs from Koreatown, through Beverly Hills and Century City, to the Westwood VA hospital.

“A trip from Koreatown to the VA campus, which now takes over an hour on a bus — sometimes longer than that — it’s going to shrink to 25 minutes on rail,” said Biden. “Plus, this project is a job creator. More than 100,000 workers — union workers — more than 100,000 workers— hard at work on the entire Purple Line extension, all three sections.”

Other projects benefiting from the Infrastructure Law include the electrification of Los Angeles’ bus fleet by 2030, upgrading the electrical grid and internet, increasing lanes at the Port of Los Angeles, upgrades to Los Angeles International Airport, replacing lead pipes and expanding water recycling.

More than 350 projects have already been announced across California. Many of the projects in Los Angeles are targeted to be complete by the time the city hosts the 2028 Olympics.

President Biden pointed out that Republicans “who voted against the Infrastructure Bill, called me and the bill “socialist” and then attacked — all Democrats who passed it — “socialist,” “radical spending,” “rushed,” and “irresponsible.” “Well, now they’re quietly and privately sending letters to my administration asking for money. They’re talking about how important projects are in their districts and for all Americans. Well, guess what? I’m going to give them the money because it’s not about them, it’s about the people they represent.”

Thousands of California Students to

Earn Cash for Community Service

On Oct. 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, educational leaders, community organizations, and the California Volunteers Commission administered the service oath to the first #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Fellows.

Over 3,200 student fellows during the 2022-2023 academic year will receive up to $10,000 for completing

a year of community service. College Corps is a statewide paid service program that provides meaningful work to college students that helps, them graduate on time with less debt while benefiting the local community.

The oath is a solemn promise to perform voluntary work with the intention of helping people and improving communities.

“Part of the California way is giving back to help uplift others, and that is a core principle of the #CaliforniansForAll

College Corps,” Newsom stated. “College Corps is about restoring the social contract between the government and its citizens. This public investment builds upon California Volunteers’ army of service members, which is larger than the Peace Corps and exemplifies the spirit and idealism I see in young people across California.”

The oath was taken in front of Newsom at the California Natural Resources Agency Building in downtown Sacramento, a few blocks from the State Capitol.

Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was in attendance.

Over the next four years, College Corps will engage 13,000 California undergraduates to make a positive difference in their communities. This service and career development program will help build a diverse class of leaders set to transform California for the better.

Funding was made possible by the efforts of Newsom and the Legislature. The program is the first opportunity for Assembly Bill (AB) 540 CA Dream Act students to earn support for college in a state service program.

“I decided to apply because I am pursuing a career in education, and #CaliforniansForAll College Corps is a way for me to earn as I learn,” said Tia Rowe, a College Corps Fellow from Sacramento State University. “I’m looking forward to working in my community and playing an active role in bringing people together.”

Rowe, along with other College Corps fellows, will take part in community service projects across the state. Fryday said College Corps is an opportunity to “begin a life of service” to benefit the masses. The program is a

collaboration of over 600 community organizations, including 46 partnering colleges and universities across the state.

The objective is to address issues pertaining to climate change, tutoring and mentoring, low-income students, and distributing meals to those facing food insecurity. Once the fellows finish their assignments, they stand to receive $7,000 for 450 hours of community service. An additional $3,000 is provided as an education award.

“You and I are going to be part of a movement toward change,” Rowe said before the oath was administered in the auditorium of the California Natural Resources Agency Building. “We’re going into our own communities and playing an active role in building them up.”

College Corps represents the first and largest statelevel investment in a college service program in the country, with $146 million earmarked for up to 6,500 students over the next two years. About 80% of fellows are students of color, 58 % are first-generation college students, 68% are Pell-Grant eligible, and 500 fellows are AB 540 Dream Act.

A virtual briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media was held on Oct. 11 featuring Fryday, President and CEO of FIND Food Bank Debbie S. Espinosa, and student fellows. The discussion centered around the vision that inspired the program, how it works, who is eligible, how to apply, and where students will do their community service.

“This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community,” Fryday stated.

President Joe Biden stands with Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA)  October 13, 2022 at a press conference on Bipartisan Infrastructure bill (Photo By Maxiam Elram, CBM)

Sacramento State University College Corps students swearing in ceremony October 7, 2022 (Photo: Antonio R. Harvey, CBM)

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

Bivalent COVID Booster Eligibility

Extended to Children Aged 5 and Older

Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media

State officials have announced eligibility for the updated Moderna COVID-19 booster and the PfizerBioNTech booster has been expanded.

Now children 6 years old and older who have received their initial series of vaccinations can receive the updated Moderna bivalent booster. Children 5 years old and older are approved to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster two months after their most recent injection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these reformulated single dose boosters are referred to as “bivalent” because they are meant to defend against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants which currently make up about 80% of the cases in the United States.

California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, and Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón made this announcement on Thursday Oct. 13 as experts are predicting that there will be an uptick in COVID-19 cases during the upcoming holiday season.

The decision to approve the use of bivalent boosters is in line with recommendations the CDC has made to the public and it is supported by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

“Given the anticipated burden of COVID-19 infections and related illnesses this fall/winter season, the

Workgroup believes that the benefits of bivalent booster doses that more closely match currently circulating SARSCoV-2 variants will sustain protection against COVID19-related hospitalizations and deaths in young children and substantially outweigh any potential risks,” Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup Chair Arthur Reingold, MD, said in a statement addressed to the governors of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State.

Medical experts warn that cooler weather will bring a surge of COVID-19 cases at the same time that cases of the flu could make a return this fall and winter. Doctors are promoting flu shots to keep hospital admissions down as health systems grapple with surging COVID cases.

According to the CDC and official California state estimates, the national 14-day-average for COVID-19 hospitalizations is currently 6,496 while the state average is about 1,818.

According to the state, the number of COVID-19 deaths averaged about 19 per day.

About 72.3% of Californians have received the primary series of vaccinations. 58.6% the state’s population have received the primary series and the booster. Only 37.5% of children 5-11 have received the primary series of vaccinations.

Eligible Californians can speak with their doctor, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255 for more information to make a vaccine or booster appointment.

(Shutterstock Photo)

Chargers Get Extra ‘Bolt’ from Hopkins

By Earl Heath

Contributing Sports Writer

It was a sigh of courage and will as place kicker Dustin Hopkins kicked a 39 yard field goal giving the Chargers a 19-16 overtime win over Denver at So-Fi Stadium. on Monday Night Football.  Hopkins. who missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury, aggravated that injury on his first extra point of the night he wore a special medical gadget on the side line then pro ceeded to go 4-for-4 on field goals, including the 39-yarder to give the Chargers’ their first and final lead. He was clear ly in pain, but he delivered.

“Before every kick you knew it was going to feel like something was stabbing you with a knife, ”said Hopkins. ”It was like ok let’s go do this, I was praying too. I was like Lord just be with me. I was just committed to dealing with the pain afterwards” He made kicks from 37, 31, and 35 yards.

Neither team enjoyed much success with the ball in their hands under the lights, with Justin Herbert scat tershot while throwing nearly 60 times and Russell Wil son struggling to connect downfield after arguably his best opening to a game with Denver. In the end, however, the Chargers (4-2) got the best of the Broncos with a fumble recovery on a muffed punt late in overtime that allowed Los Angeles the ball deep in Denver territory. Hopkins sealed the deal, hitting a 39-yard walk-off field goal that

California Roll Call

By Earl Heath

Contributing Sports Writer

California has several talented High School foot ball players. This is how some of them fared last week end for colleges around the country.

Chase McGrath (Mater Dei) made a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 6 Tennessee a 52-49 victory over No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.

As soon as the kick knuckle-balled through the up rights, some of the more than 100,000

Fans stormed the field to join the field party as the Volunteers (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) ended a

15-game drought to the Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1).

Bru McCoy (Mater Dei) had 2 catches for 38 yards. On the year the Junior has 389 total yards.

Zevi Eckhaaus (Culver City High) connected on 21 of 35 for 301 yards and one touchdown as Bryant University fell to Charleston Southern 24-23. Eckhas

Bryce Young (Mater Dei) completed 35 of 52 pass es for 455 yards and 2 touchdowns As Alabama fell to Tennessee for the first time in 15 years. It was the reign ing Heisman Trophy winners first game back since a shoulder injury sidelined him.

gave the home team the win.

Both teams entered the prime-time affair with major question marks. Denver (2-4) had struggled mightily to establish offensive rhythm despite the much-anticipated Wilson-Hackett team-up, losing star running back Javon te Williams to a season-ending injury in Week 4. Wilson started hot going 10-for-10, at the outset.He finished the game going just 5 of 28 for 188 yards and one TD.

The Chargers, meanwhile, were inconsistent on de defensive showing despite Staley hailing from that side of the ball. Their efforts were improved against Denver, even with pass rusher Joey Bosa sidelined due to injury and J.C. Jackson benched at halftime after surrendering several deep shots from Wilson.

Justin Herbert realized  Hopkins was struggling with pain got the team close on the last series, though the quar terback was altogether more erratic and indecisive than usual, working on an apparently conservative game plan and without several key starters, like  receiver Keenan Allen and center Corey Linsley. Austin Ekeler, though bottled up for much of the night, at least served as a steady outlet, logging 10 catches to help move the ball with several check downs.

Herbert finished the night completed the game going 37 of 57 passing for 238 yards and one interception. Eckler had a tough 38 yards on 38 carries.

The team host Seattle Sunday at So-Fi.

Trojans Fall Short in Shootout

Trojan Wire Courtesy Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer

The USC offense did it all, but the final minute against conference power Utah. They came out of the gate scoring Travis Dye ran it in from an eight yards out just two mi nutes in completing a 5-play, 75-yard drive on the first time they touched the ball. This was the sixth time in seven games they scored on the possession.

That was the start of what later in the game beca me a shoot-out with the Utah prevailing 43-42 in front of 53,609 at Rice Eccles Stadium.  The Trojans (6-1, 4-1) jumped out to a 28-7 lead.   Caleb Williams threw three first-half touchdowns. The sophomore QB went 35–of 42 for 381 yards and rushed for 57 yards on 8 carries.

“I’m going to be honest, I hate losing. I really, real ly, really, I hate it, simply,” said the athletic Williams. “So, yeah, I had a little emotion.”

His counterpart Cameron Rising connected on 29 of 43 passes for 415 yards, ran for three touchdowns and ran up the middle for a go-ahead two-point conversion with 48seconds left for the #20 ranked Utes.

Rising also became the first became the first Utah QB to throw for 400 yards since Brian Johnson had 417 against San Diego State in 2005. It was the first time since 2017 the Trojan defense allowed a 400 yard passing day againstthem.

Dalton Kincaid became more visible for people that play on  Sundays. The Seniorhad 16 catches for 234 yards, the most for a Ute since Carl Harry had 255 yards in 1988

The Trojans had 12 penalties for 93 yards. Some hel ped UTAH convert 6 of 13 third downs (46%).

The Utes (5-2,3-1) dedicated the game to Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, former players who died within a year of each other. In the locker room after the game, the team presented the game ball to the fallen players’ mothers in a poignant moment. Both players wore jersey number 22.

“We wanted to make sure we represented 22 well,” Ri sing said as the Utes had hand-painted portraits of Jordanand Lowe on their black helmets.

Jordan Addison, the Biletnikoff Award winner a year ago at Pittsburgh as the nation’s top receiver, had 7 catches for 106 yards but hurt his ankle late in the third quarter and left the game.

Dye who had 11 carries for 76 yards on the night has a pretty good team out-look. “I feel this is going to fuel the fire a lot,” said the Oregon transfer. “Just seeing the guys in the locker room now no body’s head is down” ADD USC: Addison and Eric Gentry appear to have light inju ries. They are “day to day” according to head coach Riley. Addison leads the Trojans in receiving (catches 39) and re ceiving yards. Gentry leads the team in Tackles with 57.  NEXT: The Trojans have a bye then head to Arizona Oct.29th

Rams Get Needed Win Before Bye

The Rams got a must win as they knocked off the Car olina Panthers 24-10 in front of 71,430 at SoFi Stadium

After trailing 10- at halftime he defending Super Bowl champs, quarterback Matthew Stafford and the offense re bounded in a big way in the second half, They outscored the visiting Carolina 17-0 in the second half.   Stafford completed an efficient 26 of 33 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown with one interception, and lead ing the team on back-to-back scoring drives to blow the game wide open.

Cooper Kupp was once again Stafford’s favorite target on Sunday, catching seven passes on eight targets for 80 yards, while Allen Robinson had easily his best game as a Ram, catching five passes on six targets for 63 yards of his own.

While the offense did find new life in the second half, it was the defense that stole the show for Los Angeles, holding star running back Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers to just 203 yards of total offense for the game, including 110 yards in the passing game.

They were also able to hold McCaffrey, arguably the NFL’s best running back, to only 69 yards on 13 carries, though he did have a big impact in the passing game, catching seven passes for 89 yards.

Following the win, the Rams will regroup with an up coming bye. they will stay at SoFi Stadium for one more week, when they host their NFC West Division rival San Francisco 49ers.

Los Angeles will be looking for revenge from an em barrassing Week 4 loss in San Francisco, where the 49ers won easily 24-9 in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football.

“We will try to look at our team and refocus during our bye week,” said head coach Sean McVay.

Chase McGrath of Newport Beach kicked the game winning field goal to be Alabama 52-49 (Photo: Tennessee Athletics)

(Photo: Denver Broncos v Los Angeles Chargers / Harry How/GettyImages)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

By Earl Heath

Contributing Sports Writer

and the most catches and yards receiving for a Utah tightend.

Eric Gentry led the team in tackles, the 6-6 sophomore had a season high with 9, 8 of them solo. Jaylin Smith, Max Williams, Shane Lee and Ralen Goforth all had seven each.

Black Women Leaders: Newsom Is Turning His Back on Karen Bass for Mayor

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC (BWOPA-PAC), California Black Women’s Collective PAC and Black women leaders throughout the state are calling out Gov. Gavin Newsom for not endorsing Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA-37) for Los Angeles Mayor.

The individuals and organizations said in a letter that they had “watched Governor Newsom issue his support to local and statewide candidates for this upcoming November general election,” but he has not indicated he would be supporting Bass.

“Black Women went all in to support Governor Newsom during the recall with Congressmember Bass leading the way.  We showed up and came out while other groups stayed home. We also led the charge to pull together

our allies that rallied counterparts throughout California for Women Against the Recall.  And yet...we haven’t seen much change in his actions,” the Oct. 16 letter stated.

In August 2021, Bass, members of the group calling itself Women Against the Recall (WAR), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-37), held a news conference to openly support Newsom in the recall election held Sept. 14, 2021.

Newsom survived the political action and many Black women in the state are asking him to acknowledge their assistance.

“He stated that he supports Black Women, but his administration doesn’t demonstrate that he wants us at his decision-making table.  He selectively supports Black women candidates even when they have overwhelming support from the party leaders and our community like in the case of Congressmember Bass,” the coalition stated.

Gov. Newsom has not endorsed any candidate running for mayor of Los Angeles in the November election, but he recently lent support to a Democrat running for State Senator.

On Oct. 8, Angelique Ashby announced in a written statement that Newsom endorsed her candidacy for State Senate District 8. Ashby currently represents Sacramento City Council District 1 and serves as Vice Mayor of the City of Sacramento.

“Angelique will be the first woman elected to the State Senate from the Sacramento region in more than two decades; she’ll bring years of experience advocating for women – especially their right to privacy, the ability tomake their own healthcare decisions and the fundamental right to an abortion,” Newsom said in a statement released by Ashby. “We need Angelique’s energy, perspective, and results-driven leadership in the State Senate. Please join me in supporting her.”

Senate District 8 includes the cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove, and most of Sacramento County. She is facing former California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) for the seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento). Pan is leaving the office dueto term limits.

“Governor Newsom has been on the frontlines of many righteous fights,” said Ashby. “I look forward to fighting alongside him in the Capitol. It is an honor to earn the support of someone who shares the same passion I have for serving our communities,” Ashby said.

Others who have endorsed Ashby include the California Democratic Legislative Women’s Caucus and State Senators Dr. Pan, Steve Glazer, Bob Hertzberg, Sydney Kamlager, and Susan Rubio. On the Assembly side of the house, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Rebecca BauerKahan, Cristina Garcia, Blanca Rubio, and Jim Cooper are endorsing her.

Educator and community organizer Lola SmallwoodCuevas (D-Los Angeles) is a Black candidate running for Senate District 28 against fellow Democrat and Black civil

and Vice President Kamala Harris in an Aug. 2 joint statement.

Bass is facing billionaire and Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso in a runoff election in November. As the mayoral race gets closer to the election, some Bass supporters are baffled by Newsom’s reluctance to announce an endorsement in her favor.

A poll released by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) conducted in September had Bass ahead of Caruso 34% to 31%. Bass was leading her adversary by 12% during the summer.

The California Black Women’s Collective, Black Women Organized for Political Action, Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee, and allies inked an “open letter” stating their allegiance to U.S. Congressmember Karen Bass and all Black women.

The Black women’s groups released the letter of support after Bass’ Baldwin Vista home was broken into in mid-September. Two people have been arrested, but the incident raised concerns about Bass’ safety, they say.

“Black women are more likely to be victims of crimes than our female counterparts, according to The Status of Black Women in the United States report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research,” the open letter stated. “Protecting ourselves is a matter of survival. Yet, when we are the victim of crimes, our calls for help are often ignored and even questioned by those who are charged with protecting and serving the community.”

rights attorney Cheryl C. Turner. Smallwood-Cuevas says that, “Newsom has made his call on this race.” He is endorsing her.

But Newsom has been quiet on the Democrat versus Democrat Los Angeles mayoral race. Bass, who is running to be the first Black Woman Mayor of the second largest city in the country, was endorsed by President Joe Biden

Considering their support for Newsom in the past, the Black women’s organizations stated in their letter that choosing Bass “should be an easy choice” for the governor. They also said that it is “unacceptable to ask for our support but then turn your back on us when it matters the most.”

“(Bass) has demonstrated that she is the best one who will focus on bringing the state’s largest city together and move it forward for everyone,” the letter stated. “Which side of history do you want to be on, Governor?”

Popular StrategistDemocratic ImploresBlack Voters ‘You Make the Difference’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The 2022 midterm elections are just a few weeks away, and both sides of the aisle have long acknowledged it’s the most consequential in years.

Each of the seats in Congress is up, and 35 U.S. Senate chairs could flip.

Further, 36 governors’ races will occur, as would several down-ballot battles for posts like attorney general and state legislatures.

Polling suggests that while Democrats have emerged as favorites to at least hold its slim Senate majority, the GOP could sweep the U.S. House, where it takes 218 seats to win control of that chamber.

Also, Republicans need just a net gain of one seat to turn control of the Senate, where polling suggests that at least ten contests are tossups.

“When you think about what’s at stake, it’s very clear in terms of the GOP candidates who emerged,” longtime Democratic Strategist Karen Finney said during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s live morning news program, Let It Be Known.

“That tells you a lot about their agenda if they win.”

Finney, a CNN political commentator, served as senior advisor to Stacey Abrams during the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race.

She also served as senior advisor for communications and political outreach and senior spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016.

Finney also counts as the first and only African American spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, where she helped lead the DNC’s communications and media strategy for Howard Dean’s “50 State Strategy,” rebranding the Democratic Party, and the successful 2006 Congressional elections and DNC communications efforts during 2008 presidential campaign.

“We turned out in record numbers in 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, and not only defeated Trump, but we also took back the House and the Senate,” Finney insisted.

“Democrats have been working hard to keep their promises, the promises made to voters and the things voters said they wanted.”

She also mentioned the progress Democrats have made under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Finney wondered why Biden’s approval ratings have sunk despite keeping his campaign promises and moving the needle forward, particularly for Black America.

“We’ve got the infrastructure bill down. We got COVID Relief done,” Finney stated.

“So, we got vaccines. We’re getting kids back in school, getting people back to work. We got our first Black female Supreme Court Justice, so promises are being kept.”

Finney said messaging is paramount and agreed it hadn’t been a strength for Democrats.

“There’s more that needs to get done, and the thing standing in our way is we got to elect more Democrats,”

she insisted.

“I think it’s vital that we remind voters, particularly Black voters, that they have the power and the opportunity to help make sure we take control of the Senate.

“In that way, we can keep getting done the things that voters have told us they want. Things like lowering the cost of prescription drugs and protecting Obamacare, passing criminal justice reform, codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade, and protecting our voting rights once and for all.”

Finney added that part of her mission is to ensure Black voters know they’re different in these all-important elections.

“We have to help turnout and give Democrats the clear majority in the Senate so that we can continue to do the things that we all came out in record numbers and voted for in 2020,” she stated.

“I think part of the message that’s also important and things we have to talk about is that Democrats and President Biden had been working hard to keep their promises, and there’s more to do, and we need more Democrats in the Senate.”

Polling suggests that while Democrats have emerged as favorites to at least hold its slim Senate majority, the GOP could sweep the U.S. House, where it takes 218 seats to win control of that chamber.