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Animal Co enforcemenimpacting this case wo ven se cat. th in the bloodie E h n o d t g e u v tr es so w ld en ev o to tr as lve crimes, is proud l offidiverse idence over com oyed it. though New an anto a cers rushstate d imbe al hthe to the poliviolent crim- is bold, he is tr ed e ble ospitmost som’s decise at no cost to “California tr al th au African Am , w e m h st ce a. ea er at io , but they issue that ding carefu e it was dth e.” most diverse democracy,” said Governor n in thin the world’s ericans, His e ia C ll C o y o al School classic “Love and Happiness” by Al Green.

Kenyon p o if D er n ornia voters panics and r. Kdeserve a potential se Californians Newsom.

“All that their gnose watching. risti Krato otherslowed ly polarizica acMerry useknow she expfor ross thLittle H , the tempo on “Have Yourself a a e minoritidown v is et ec e k er n p ts ee government is working them, We look forward to in g o p th li es lifollowed arian, tells ing his focu ti spectru e 11-pound v- Conby Christmas,” k inmedia th tin“Sleigh s on fairncaeslcollaborating m are withbacour (5-kinviting to the w ued onRide.” partners ilogram) ca ptheir ild after -itand age Aappearance s and justic t to Santa and Mrs. Claus made to the 2 M cG re g uire in ai others who might partnering to bring e thbe interested n s st v is re ited the bo ngth delight of everyone in attendance. They were quickly if hmessage e sees it to bcaacross our ‘California for at All’ communities t on Frid.ay agai n, he’ll issu approached by attendees for a keepsake photo. . our state.” e a tick The final, most anticipated moment that everyone The column will be translated into six languageset for ja waited for occurred with the phenomenal, and awesome and published by over 50 ethnic media and other niche performance of Grammy-nominated Soul singer and news services. songwriter, Marsha Ambrosius. She rocked the festivities “In this information era dominated by high tech with material from her catalog of hits to the delight of the platforms, Governor Newsom is sending an important crowd. signal that government needs high touch communicaCouncilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, tors embedded in and trusted by their local communiDistrict 8, thanked the sponsors for helping to make ties,” said Regina Brown Wilson, executive director of this event possible. Councilmember Marqueece HarrisCalifornia Black Media.

Dawson presented several Community Service Awards to individuals in the community, making a difference and for their part in the betterment of the community. The first award was presented to Angeline Buenaventura, Economic Policy Manager (Convention, Tourism and Hospitality), Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Six Sev, Artist/ Entrepreneur and Christina Cooper, Film Director and ‘ ’ Producer. You should be aware of her previous projects the critically acclaimed Dear White People (2017), Never Heard (2018) and her latest release South Central Love BOSTON, MA (AP) – Boston officials are expect(2019), which can be view during Black History Month ed to consider renaming the square in a historically on BET. black neighborhood to Nubian Square.

The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 W. Martin Sadiki Kambon, chair of Nubian Square Coalition, Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90008 www. says his group’s proposal is expected to go before the baldwinhillscrenshawplaza.com Connect and stay connect Public Improvement Commission on Thursday.

Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh supports the efon Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Noelles (Ricky Richardson Photo) fort. A citywide ballot referendum on the idea failed in November, but the vote tally showed that residents in

By Ricky Richardson having a good time on this festive evening. the Roxbury neighborhood, where the name change is Contributing Writer Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! This wonderful being proposed, overwhelmingly favored it.

Los Angeles- Thousands of kids and their parents or engaging event was loaded with winter activities that Supporters say the commercial center should be reguardians converged on the upper deck of the Baldwin engaged the entire family, including sledding and named because Roxbury resident Thomas Dudley was Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The occasion was the much- snowman building with real snow. Kids enjoyed holiday a leading politician when Massachusetts legally sancanticipated Winter Wonderland, which was held on arts and crafts, face painting, along with toy giveaways tioned slavery in the 1600s.

Saturday, December 14th, 3:00pm-7pm. (while supplies last). Attendees also enjoyed a free cup of But opponents counter that slavery was also part of Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris- hot chocolate, and other tasty holiday treats. The small the ancient Nubian empire, which ruled over swaths of Dawson, District 8, partnered with the Baldwin Hills intimate venue offered many photo ops. modern-day Egypt and Sudan thousands of years ago.

Crenshaw Plaza to present their annual Winter Wonderland Roxbury is the neighborhood where a young MarDJ Mark complimented the festivities with an tin Luther King, Jr. preached and Malcolm X grew up.

Celebration. awesome soundtrack of holiday theme songs, along with It remains a center of the state’s African American com“Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson and some classic soul and R&B tunes. Radio Personality Adai munity.

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza are proud to present the Lamar, Radio Free KJLH, 102.3FM, served as Mistress of Boston has debated a number of name changes in largest annual holiday event within the Crenshaw corridor. Ceremony. recent years.

We are dedicated to giving back and celebrating here in The live performance got underway with a beautiful Last year, the Red Sox successfully petitioned to the community,” says Rachel Freeman, President & CEO, retro a cappell quintet, The Noelles, who got the crowd into change the name of a street near Fenway Park that honCapri Retail Services. the spirit of the holiday with a joyful set of classics. Their ored a former team owner who had resisted integration.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris- crowd-pleasing set featured the tunes “This Christmas,” Other groups have also been calling to rename Dawson echoes Freeman’s sentiments and states, “I love to It’s Christmas Baby; Please Come Home,” “Sleigh Ride,” Faneuil Hall, a downtown landmark built by a wealthy see our community come together. As a life-long South followed by White Christmas.” The crowd and I can only 18th-century slave owner.

Los Angeles resident, I understand the value of having hope and dream for this to occur with Winter just around events like this that spread joy and allow us to celebrate the the corner. holidays together. It’s also an opportunity for us to give back D’Anna Stewart, singer, songwriter and musician to families and children that may have never experienced and her tight band had the crowd and I vibing with her winter activities like sledding or may not receive toys for throughout her set as she performed “This Christmas,” Christmas.” (SOURCE Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza).

“I’m Searching for a Real Man,” followed by crowd favorite This upbeat event was designed to bring Winter SZA-The Weekend (remix). festivities to South Los Angeles residents and to get the R&B/Soul singer Kenyon Dixon was lit. He captivated community into the holiday spirit. I would say that the the crowd with an amazing set of original tunes “Bitter,” organizers accomplished this task easily, the proof was the got down with the blues with a holiday classic “Merry many smiles viewed, laughter heard and seeing everyone Christmas Baby,” and gave us an upbeat rendition of an Old Marsha Ambrosius (Ricky Richardson Photo) A white Nashville police officer charged with fatally shooting an armed black man from behind is appealing after a judge denied his request to draw the jury from outside the area.

In Davidson County Criminal Court on Monday, defense attorney David Raybin said his client, Officer Andrew Delke, shouldn’t have to contend with the publicity that the July 2018 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Daniel Hambrick has received.

By Stacy M. Brown People,” the 272-page book that’s already the top seller on Crump continued: Delke’s defense contends that news coverage has inNNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Amazon.com in the category of Civil Rights Law, tackles And you have these young people without fear. fluenced prospective jurors in Nashville, putting his fair Famed Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump has how environmental racism pertains to the water crisis in And this one brother specifically walked right up to the trial rights at risk. written a new book that examines the troubling history Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey.

National Guard, who has their rifle trained on him. The Judge Monte Watkins denied the motion for a difof environmental racism in America.

In the book, Crump explores how marginalized man’s face was practically touching the tip of the rifle, but ferent jury pool last month, saying the court can assem“Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored communities largely are overlooked by the institutions he just had enough at that moment. ble a jury in Nashville that will be “fair and impartial’’ in charged with protecting them.

“He said, with the rifle in his face, ‘go ahead and considering Delke’s charges.

Crump also summarizes the state of civil and shoot me with all these cameras here, because you’re Watkins on Monday allowed an appeal to move environmental rights in the U.S. going to shoot us anyway when they go away, so shoot forward. A trial date still hasn’t been set.

The defense has argued Delke followed his training As he prepared a return to Flint, Crump vowed and kill me now so the people can see how you kill us.’ and state law in shooting after seeing Hambrick had a “I thought that was riveting because I said he’s right. to avoid distractions, including a recent $100 million gun. Prosecutors have said Delke could have sought covlawsuit filed by George Zimmerman against the attorney It is important that people see how they’re killing us. But er and summoned help. They noted that Hambrick was not just with bullets in the police shooting cases, but and the parents of Trayvon Martin. shot from behind.

“The parents of Trayvon Martin and I don’t want more poignant, how they kill us every day in every city, to give any attention to this frivolous and unfounded in every state, in every courtroom in America legally with lawsuit at all. We believe attention is what he’s seeking,” these trumped-up felony convictions.”

With the book, Crump stated that he seeks to hold Crump stated.

“It’s so asinine that the actions of the killer of their a mirror to the face of all Americans and force them to teenage son will continue to devastate them over and over acknowledge the hypocrisy.

“You have to at least acknowledge the racism and again. Every year he comes up with something like the selling of the gun. It’s just horrific what this individual discrimination in the institutions of governance. If you does. We rather focus on something more important, like don’t ever admit it, we can never solve the problem,” he in Flint, and this guy is only a distraction,” Crump noted. stated.

It took about three years for Crump to write “Open KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Elected officials in Crump’s return to Flint, where he planned to hold and he called it one of the most challenging tasks Missouri’s Jackson County are adding plaques to statues rallies over two days to keep attention on the continued Season,” of the Kansas City area county’s namesake noting that water crisis, comes nearly four years after he and hip-hop he’s undertaken.

“You sit there and remember all those things that the nation’s seventh president was a slave owner and mogul Russell Simmons went house-to-house delivering have happened to black and brown people in this country, forced thousands of Native Americans off their lands. water to families throughout the city. and it just breaks your heart,” Crump stated.

The plaques that will be added to statues of Andrew “We found out that not only was there a water crisis, “Over and over again, no matter what the situation Jackson outside courthouses in downtown Kansas City but Flint was a food desert,” Crump stated. “So, we have is, for people of color, we get the most injustice,” Crump and in nearby Independence will note that “Almost two to focus on this because it’s important. We have children stated. centuries later, we hold a broader, more inclusive view of who have problems with brain development because they “You can give me any situation, and they will find a our nation,” KMBC-TV reported. were poisoned by the government wantonly.” way to make sure that marginalized people of color don’t Jackson began his term as president in 1829, almost While Crump’s new book digs deeper into the Flint get equal justice. “That’s what we have to fight against. three years after the Missouri State Legislature named crisis, it also explores racism across the country.

That’s what we’re fighting against in Flint, Newark, the county after him because he was a hero of the War In one section of “Open Season,” Crump talks about Baltimore, Washington, and other communities,” he said. of 1812. one of the incidents that inspired him to continue his Crump continued: “This statue of Jackson reminds us we are on a path work as a civil rights attorney.

“If this water crisis in Flint would have happened in that in the immortal words of Martin Luther King Jr., “When we were in Ferguson, Missouri, in the a white community, it would be a national catastrophe. bending toward justice. In turn, we must acknowledge aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown, who was shot Lightning would strike and thunder would boom. I mean the past injustices to help us create greater nation built and killed in broad daylight, there were these young Black people would go to jail. “But, because it’s a majorityupon humane policies to light our way and the way of Lives Matter activists who refused to let them sweep minority community, it’s almost as if Americans don’t humanity everywhere,” the plaques will read. know it happened. They say, ‘it doesn’t affect me, just Michael Brown’s life under the rug,” Crump stated.

“You may be entering this revered building today “The government called in the National Guard. And those black and brown people, so it doesn’t matter.’” in a pursuit of truth or justice. Your own history is still “Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored Crump explores how marginalized communities I remember being there with the media and the crowds of being written.’’ largely are overlooked by the institutions charged people and the National Guard with militarized and an People” is available at Amazon.com and other outlets. with protecting them. assault rifles,” he stated.

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Sour Grapes? Defeated Lawmaker Questions Validity of Election “I won the election fair and square!”

– Hester Jackson McCray told The Associated Press on Friday

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A one-term state lawmaker in Mississippi is contesting her narrow loss in the general election, saying she believes voting irregularities raise questions about the fairness of the election process.

Republican Ashley Henley has filed a petition asking the House of Representatives to toss out the election results and declare the seat vacant. That declaration would lead to another election.

On Nov. 5, Henley lost by 14 votes to Democrat Hester Jackson McCray, according to certified results posted to the secretary of state's website.

The women ran in House District 40, which encompasses a portion of DeSoto County in the northwestern corner of the state. DeSoto has been Mississippi's fastest-growing county for years, and it's just a stone's throw from Memphis, Tennessee.

DeSoto is a Republican stronghold. Census figures show the county's overall population is about 68% white and 29% African American, although those percentages could be different inside District 40.

McCray is poised to make history: She will be the first African American woman to hold a state legislative seat from DeSoto County.

“I won the election fair and square,” McCray told The Associated Press on Friday.

McCray has worked as a nurse and said she is now disabled and is no longer able to do that job. She campaigned on promises to improve public education and expand access to health care.

Henley taught social studies before she was elected to the House in 2015. Because rules prohibited teachers from serving in the Legislature, she left that job just before she took office. She ran with a broad promise to watch how tax dollars are spent and a narrower pledge to ensure teachers can be paid twice a month rather than once.

The 2019 election was a rematch.

In 2015, Henley defeated McCray by a wide margin in District 40. Henley received 1,173 votes to McCray's 544.

In 2019, McCray received 1,553 votes to Henley's 1,539.

McCray received campaign help this year from Democrats who saw an opportunity to flip the House seat from R to D. In a separate interview Friday, Henley told the AP that she is not accusing McCray or McCray's campaign of any sort of wrongdoing.

RuPaul & Angelou Join California’s Hall of Fame SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Drag queen and TV star RuPaul, late poet Maya Angelou and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk were among 10 people inducted Tuesday night into the California Hall of Fame.

The others were Brandi Chastain, two-time Women's World Cup soccer champion and Olympic gold medalist; astrophysicist and National Science Foundation Director France A. Cordova; writer Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston; actor and comedian George Lopez; restaurateur and chef Wolfgang Puck; winemaker Helen M. Turley and the Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr., a civil rights activist.

Hawk did a few turns on his skateboard on a half-pipe erected outside the California Museum, where the event was held.

“It's a huge honor,” Hawk said. “When I started skating a long time ago, it was the furthest thing from cool. It was not something you chose as a career.””

“I'm a very proud Californian. All my dreams were born here, they were fulfilled here,” Chastain said, noting that she used to drive two hours each way from San Jose to play for the Sacramento Storm women's soccer team.

Cordova's brother accepted her medal. She offered her thanks in a video from Antarctica, where she was preparing to head to the South Pole.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, chose the 13th class of inductees into the Hall of Fame, which started in 2006.

“We love to say about our state, 'the future happens here first. We're America's coming attraction,” the governor said, calling the inductees examples of that spirit.

RuPaul and Hawk both were born and raised in San Diego. Chastain was born in San Jose. Lopez was born in Los Angeles.

RuPaul, wearing a white suit and a sparkling brooch in place of a tie, called the event “lovely and beautiful.”

His parents emigrated to California from Louisiana and RuPaul said he was proud to continue the spirit of trailblazing that led many people to the state.

Angelou was an internationally known poet, lecturer, actor, producer and civil rights activist who lived in Cali-

Thursday, December 19, 2019

fornia at various times – she once was employed as a San Francisco cable car conductor. She died in 2014 at 86.

Her son, Guy Johnson, said that as a boy, he thought of Angelou as a troublemaker because she was always getting blackballed or fired for “speaking up when she saw unfairness and injustice around her.”

“She would take me aside and warn me about the insidious qualities of racism and prejudice and then tell me to always fight against the prison of ignorance,” he said.

Lawson, 91, was a key strategist and coordinator for peaceful civil rights protests in the 1960s, which led to his being expelled from Vanderbilt University although he later returned to teach there. Lawson moved to Los Angeles in 1974 and was pastor of Holman United Church until 1999.

Houston is best known for her “Farewell to Manzanar,” a memoir about her experiences as a young girl in a California internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II. Houston compared the racism directed against Japanese Americans to some current views on minorities.

“Today, there are all too many politicians and irresponsible media who find scapegoats to blame for the country's problems and more and more I think, those scapegoats are immigrants,” she said.

Lopez mentioned growing up during a grape boycott

by Latino farmworkers and made a reference to current immigrant labor.

“This is the greatest place politically,” he said. “This country does not run without the labor of Latinos and I would say to anybody: 'Do not bite the hand that feeds you.”'

Cordova attended high school in the Los Angeles suburb of La Puente and went on to Stanford University. She also is a one-time chancellor of the University of California, Riverside.

Puck arguably rose to success with the opening of his Southern California restaurant Spago in 1982. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Turley is an award-winning vintner and owner of Marcassin Vineyard in Sonoma County.

Democrat Hester Jackson-McCray (left) beat Republican Mississippi House District 40 Republican incumbent Rep. Ashley Henley by 14 votes after election officials counted all ballots in November. Henley is now challenging the election. Photos courtesy Hester Jackson-McCray Campaign and Mississippi House of Representatives

“My petition does not even mention the other candidate,” Henley said. “It's about the proper conducting of an election, according to law. That's the most important thing, in my opinion.”

The petition says several people voted using addresses where they no longer live; one person who owns multiple properties voted at a property that's not where the person claims to live; another person voted in District 40 despite living in a different district; and one person voted at the wrong precinct.

Henley's petition says election officials failed to get some voters' signatures. It also says two ballots marked in favor of Henley were found in an equipment bag, apparently discarded.

Henley said she is contesting the outcome because she promised her constituents she would represent them to the

best of her ability, and that includes ensuring election rules are followed.

Republican Rep. Philip Gunn is expected to easily win a third term as speaker of the Republican-majority House when the legislative session begins Jan. 7. Early in the session, he will appoint a committee to consider Henley's complaint.

Four years ago, a House committee considered two election contests, upholding the result in one race and reversing the result in the other. The race that was reversed was significant because the new outcome gave Republicans a 60% supermajority _ a margin that allows them to enact tax changes without seeking any votes from Democrats.

Republicans still have that margin, regardless of what happens with the District 40 challenge.

George P. Bush Says GOP Can’t Let ‘Racist’ Episodes Slide

By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Republican George P. Bush, the only member of the Bush dynasty still in public office, condemned Thursday recurring episodes of what he described as racist or hateful rhetoric within the Texas GOP, and ripped what he called false accusations fanned by his Hispanic heritage.

Bush, Texas' land commissioner, first denounced a white GOP state legislator who suggested “Asian” challengers on the ballot in 2020 were motivated by race. He then joined others Saturday in calling for the resignation of a Republican county chairwoman near Houston who used a racial slur in a text message about a black party organizer.

But his latest rebuke was personal: in a tweet Wednesday, Bush questioned whether critics had falsely accused him of plotting to erect a statue of Santa Anna _ the Mexican general whose troops killed Texas independence fighters at the Alamo in San Antonio in 1836 _ because his mother, Columba Bush, was born in Mexico. He called the accusation “flat out racist.”

Bush is the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, who died last year, and the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was a presidential candidate in 2016.

“I don't want to elevate the status or the identity of those that are on the extremes in this discussion that have called out people's backgrounds, called out my ethnicity, my mom's heritage,” Bush told The Associated Press. “But for those that aren't adding value by injecting hatred and racism, (they) should have no place in civil discourse.”

He didn't mention names, but appeared to be referring to a recent post on a Facebook group called “Save the Alamo.” Bush's office is overseeing a dramat-

ic overhaul of the area surrounding Texas' most-visited landmark. The project has riled some conservatives who worry the Battle of the Alamo will be sanitized by excessive political correctness.

The post offers no evidence that Bush plans to erect such a statue. A leader of the group is Rick Range, who unsuccessfully challenged Bush in last year's Republican primary and opposes the Alamo project. Range did not immediately respond Thursday to a phone call and email seeking comment.

Bush said he has “let a lot slide” from critics, adding he has reported some threatening posts on social media to state police.

“When you call (out) somebody's loyalty, patriotism or use racist or hateful rhetoric, it's just not productive. And, you know, unfortunately, it feeds into the narrative of what we've seen this past week where I've had to call out fellow Republicans,” he said.

“Regretfully, it's just, you know, occurred more often,” Bush said.

As the only Hispanic elected statewide official in Texas who isn't a judge, Bush said he has felt compelled in recent weeks to speak out. Republicans' decades-long grip on Texas weakened in 2018 and party leaders have stressed a need to connect with more minority voters.

“If you just let statements like this in 2019 slide, I think it sets a bad precedent heading into 2020,” Bush said.

Bush was first elected land commissioner in 2014.

On Monday, his 33-year-old cousin, Pierce Bush, announced his first run for public office, jumping into a crowded Republican primary race for a congressional seat in suburban Houston.

Steyer Investing in the Black Voters of SC

By MEG KINNARD Associated Press COLUMBIA, SC (AP) – In the waning weeks before South Carolina’s presidential primary, Democrat Tom Steyer is renewing his focus on the black voters who play a pivotal role in the first-in-the-South state, rolling out a proposal to improve historically black colleges and institutions.

The efforts, Steyer said Tuesday, are part of what his administration would see as a holistic approach to addressing America’s racial divides. Over a decade, he proposes allocating $125 billion in federal funds to HBCUs, establishing a board of regents and focusing on science, technology, engineering and math.

“This is the bridge to opportunity for these young people,” Steyer said, noting he sought advice from leaders at HBCUs including Clark Atlanta and South Carolina State University.

Steyer has been working to make inroads in South Carolina, home to the first primary with a significantly black electorate. The California financier and liberal activist has been endorsed by state Rep. Jerry Govan, chairman of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus. On Monday, Steyer held a roundtable with black men, similar to a recent event put on by Cory Booker. He participated Tuesday in a women’s panel at Allen University, a Columbia HBCU,

with black female authors and entrepreneurs, including musician MC Lyte.

Decreased HBCU federal funding, Steyer said, has left graduates disproportionately saddled with staggering student loans as schools increase tuition to account for the shortfall.

Asked Tuesday about voters who prefer reparations over educational funding, Steyer pushed his proposal for a race commission, calling it imperative _ particularly for non-Southerners _ to work through 400 years of American black history before payments are made.

“I think there’s a process here of understanding in this country that is necessary for that to happen,” Steyer said.

Several in the Democratic field have backed Booker’s bill, which calls for a reparations study commission. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has also said she supports issuance of reparations by the federal government. Asked about criticism that it’s time for action, not more discussion, Steyer again pointed to his HBCU plan.

“I know that there’s a simple line, which is, `cut the check.’ And what I would say is this: I know we have to get there, and the way that we get there is also very important,” Steyer said. “If you think about what I said today, about HBCUs, in terms of ‘cut the check,’ candidly, that’s a big check, compared to what people are talking about.”

Thursday, December 19, 2019

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

Links Inc. Host Awareness Day

By Darlene L. Williams and Austyn J. Williams Contributing Writers BAKERSFIELD, Calif.— Bakersfield Chapter of the Links Incorporated, Links’ Leadership STEAM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Academy hosted its 4th Annual Community Awareness Day Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Emerson Middle School.

About 80 middle and high school (STEAM) students, parents, and others met at the school for the 5-hour event.

Workshops were available to both parents and students to inform, educate, and raise awareness about the dangers

Stephany Prince, Chair of National Trends & Services Facet. (Courtesy Photo)

of Human Trafficking, facilitated by Dr. Stephany Powell; Vaping, by Mr. Fitzgerald Graves; and Cyber Safety, by Bakersfield Police Chief, Lyle Martin. Also, EMS Educational Psychologist; Gina Gordon-Lopez, presented a break-out session for parents; Helping Our Children Be Successful In School (Tools for Student Success).

The Links, Bakersfield Chapter has over 10-years of pro-active community service and raising awareness on societal issues.

“My passion is to reach out to the community and to help the underrepresented groups of people who don’t get these services, Links President, Olivia Washington said.

Allison Perkins Thomas, Bakersfield Links Incorporated (Courtesy Photo)

“We introduced arts into S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and with the arts they (the students) can design for cars, and robotics.”

Students were encouraged to stop by the exhibit faire which included the Bakersfield Police Department, SWAT

and Bomb unit, Bakersfield Fire Department, California State University Bakersfield, and Bakersfield College.

“It’s so important to let the community know what we’re actually doing; we’re not just a mouth piece” Links Bakersfield Chapter Member; Allison Perkins, said.

The Bakersfield News Observer (BNO) spoke with several STEAM students, and parents for Q and A. Q: What does the STEAM Academy mean to you?

A: (Jehvah Crompton, 13; Actis Jr. High) STEAM has given me a deeper understanding about the world around me. We help the homeless with food; so far that’s what we’ve done. As for the science part of STEAM, building pressure with matter and now focusing on rockets has inspired me to be a scientist.

A: (Khori Crompton, 11; Castle Elementary) STEAM helped me learn more about science experiments. I want to be a doctor. It looks good to help people. This program helps me build on it.

A: (Rhea McCoy, 11; McKinley Elementary) It (STEAM) has taught me things about water and air.

A: (Aniya Reynolds, 13; Washington Middle School) STEAM has helped me with my science and math.

A: (Fatimah Ahmed, 16; Bakersfield High School) I have been in STEAM since I was 7 years-old. It has made me more aware of the community. It makes students more aware of math, new programs and new perspectives.

A: (Kimberly Crompton, Parent) I like STEAM because it gives children the ability to work outside of school.

It emphasizes things from an African American perspective. The Links organization has brought many executives to these events, which give the children opportunities to see people who look like us.

Dr. Stephany Powell; 30-year LAPD veteran, and expert on human trafficking held “no punches” as she spoke to the group of high school students about the shrewd reality of human trafficking.

“It’s happening right here in Bakersfield, pimp driven prostitution, Powell said. “Girls as young as 12 to 14 years- of- age are being trafficked, and as young as age 11 for African American girls.”

“It’s important for me that I don’t see people get caught up in the game, she said.”

Powell engaged the students with activities geared at showing them just how easy it is to become a victim of sex-trafficking and the steps that can be taken to ensure ones safety. She asked the students a series of questions: · Have you ever gone to the mall alone or with a group

Dr. Stephany Powell, Human Trafficking Presenter (L), Olivia Perkins Washington, Bakersfield Links Incorporated (Center), and Chief Lyle Martin, Bakersfield Police Department (R). (Courtesy Photo)

of friends? · Have you ever started an online relationship with someone you’ve never met? · Have you ever attended a party at a friend’s house with no adult supervision? · Have you ever posted your whereabouts or plans on social media? · Have you ever accepted a ride from someone you didn’t know, including Lyft or Uber? · Have you ever been approached on social media to “hook up”, or share photos? · Have you ever responded to or met with someone regarding online advertisements or purchased items online? · Have you ever hung out with older friends that your guardians have never met?

90% of the students admitted to at least one or all of the questions that Dr. Powell asked.

“If you stood for any of these actions, she said. Chances are you could be trafficked.”

On the other hand, vaping is another area of concern and has been blamed for several deaths in Kern County, according to recent news articles.

Fitzgerald Graves, Chair for Tobacco-Free Kern; said, “Vaping is a real epidemic. I want to give parents and students tobacco prevention tool-kits today with steps to prevent the use of E-cigarettes and Vape Pens.”

The next Links STEAM Academy events will be held Jan 11 and Jan 25, 2020 at Emerson Middle School Cafeteria; 801 Fourth Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93304.

The Bakersfield Chapter of the Links Incorporated Community Awareness Day 2019 (Courtesy Photo)

DACA Beneficiaries Could Stay in the US for Years

By Pilar Marrero Letter to the Editor While hundreds of thousands of immigrants with DACA permits await the decision of the Supreme Court on the future of the program, lawyers and immigrant advocates argue that the vast majority of them have sufficient legal rights to remain in this country for several years and maybe, indefinitely.

At a Dec. 11 press briefing organized by Los Angeles County and Ethnic Media Services (EMS), experts urged immigrants protected by DACA or who once had it, but did not renew it, to get immediate advice from the county Office of Immigrant Affairs or with any local organization regarding their legal rights, possible financial aid and process to extend their status.

“It is very important that immigrants with DACA renew the program as soon as possible,” said Judith Vásquez, representative of county supervisor Hilda L. Solís.

“We know that the federal government has announced its intention to raise the cost of the DACA fee from $495 to $765 and it is best that they renew now before that happens,” Vasquez added, pointing to the fact that Los Angeles County “has more immigrants covered with DACA than any other county in the nation, around 82,000 ”.

The experts added that in the event that the Supreme Court rules to end the program, the beneficiaries may still be able to stay in this country for several years, through new permits obtained before their DACA authorization ends and by fighting each case in court individually.

“We know that 95% of immigrants with DACA do not have a pending deportation order” said Daniel Sharp, director of legal services at the Central American Resource

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

V ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 19LBCP00439 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 275 Magnolia, Los Angeles, CA 90802 Branch Name: Govenor George Deukmejian Courthouse PETITION OF: GIANNA MARTINEZ FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: GIANNA MARTINEZ for a decree changing names as follows: Present name GANESA GIANNA CISNEROS Filed a petition with this court Proposed name GANESA GIANNA MARTINEZ THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no

written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Jan 16, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: S-26 Room: 5500 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER Date: Dec 5, 2019 Michael P. Vicencia JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Elizabeth Salcido DEPUTY PETITIONER: Gianna Martinez (For minor Ganesa Gianna Cisneros) 906 Oakmere Dr Harbor City, Ca. 90710 Phone: (310) 529-0635 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 12, 19, 26, 2019, Jan 2, 2020 �������������������������������

Center (CARECEN). “That means that if the Supreme Court allows the government to continue with the elimination of DACA, the vast majority of the beneficiaries are not in imminent danger of being expelled from the country.”

Sharp explained that “you have to wait for the best and prepare for the worst”.

The attorney was referring to the fact that some DACA holders had previous orders of deportation after being placed into removal proceedings before the benefit existed. When they were approved for DACA, they were momentarily protected from being removed per that order.

But U. S. immigration authorities have the power to act immediately on an outstanding order of deportation, without further hearings or process.

But those who were never in removal have a fighting chance in the courts that are already seriously backlogged with pending cases, making their deportation a long-term prospect.

“DACA holders have the right to fight deportation and with the number of cases in immigration courts in Los Angeles, three years is the minimum that would take,” Sharp said.

Thomas A. Sáenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund), said that despite many media predictions about a possible negative outcome for DACA in the Supreme Court, “there is no way to anticipate the result, moreover, it is irresponsible to do so. ” However, he assured that even if the Supreme Court ruled against DACA (the decision should come before

June of next year), young immigrants “will not be alone, there will be thousands of people supporting them and making sure they get their rights to fight deportation by all possible means. ” MALDEF is representing 22 DACA holders from Texas in defense of the program, against a lawsuit by Texas and 6 other states that sought to dismantle the program.

The civil rights organization felt the Trump Administration, a defendant in that lawsuit, would not adequately represent the interests of DACA holders and asked the court to interview, which was allowed. That lawsuit is pending, and its resolution would depend on SCOTUS decision on the overall issue.

Support for DACA immigrants The bearers of DACA have the support of the community and of various organizations and institutions in Los Angeles.

Rigo Reyes, executive director of the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs, outlined a variety of services for DACA holders and their families. “The county has taken concrete steps to protect and support immigrants,” Reyes said.

Along with legal help, financial assistance is also available to assist those who cannot pay the immigration fees. And the county is also responsible for compliance with minimum wage laws. DACA holders have work permits and are entitled to the same working rights as other workers.

More information can be obtained by calling the Los Angeles County Immigrant Affairs Office toll free at 1-800-593-8222.

Tiffany Panlilio, DACA legal advisor for Asian American Advancing Justice (AAAJ), said that DACA holders “are scared and often have to choose between paying rent and renewing the benefit,” but that there is support for them to do it.

“We want to ensure that DACA is still standing and that in my organization we have legal support in various languages: Chinese, Thai, Tagalog and Korean,” she added, noting that one in five DACA is Asian. She invited the community to go to a trusted organization to obtain free legal advice. “It is better to know than not to know,” she said.

Francisco Rodríguez, chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, reminded the community that there are “Dream Centers” in each of the nine colleges in the system, which has more than 230,000 students.

There, young immigrants can receive legal assistance and mental health “in an environment free of hate and hostility”, he added.

“I am an immigrant and I have benefited greatly from public education,” Rodriguez said. “I invite undocumented students to enroll in our schools. I assure you that all your information is confidential, and we have taken steps to protect it.”

Meanwhile, criminal lawyer Lara Yeretsian reminded DACA beneficiaries that they have a lot to lose if they commit a crime such as driving under the influence (DUI).

“Any mistake can have serious consequences, especially for DACAs,” said Yeretsian. “Do not take risks and always consult a lawyer who understands the immigration consequences of any criminal conviction.”

Amid a Surge in Enrollment Last Week,

Covered California Extends Deadline Through Friday for Coverage for Jan. 1 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to a strong surge in enrollment, Covered California extended the deadline for consumers to sign up for health insurance that would start on Jan. 1. They will now have through Friday, Dec. 20, to sign up and have their coverage go into effect on New Year’s Day. “Covered California is still open for business and making sure consumers can have a health plan in place on Jan. 1,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Covered California is putting consumers first, making sure they have time to find the plan that best fits their needs.”

Beginning late last week, Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s enrollment period is more important than before,” Lee said.

“Sign up now and you may be eligible for new financial help that is available for the first time, and you can avoid the possibility of paying a significant penalty for not being covered.”

Governor Gavin Newsom Amplifies Message Governor Newsom took to social media this weekend to help remind all Californians they can get help paying for their health insurance. In this Twitter video, the governor used the holiday season as a way to spread the news about the first in the nation state subsidies that are available and that Californians have until the end of Friday to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

Restoring the Individual Mandate California lawmakers put two new policies in place for 2020 that were designed to encourage enrollment and lower costs.

First, they restored the individual mandate penalty that was part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from 2014 to 2018, meaning consumers who do not get covered could face a penalty when they file their 2020 taxes in the spring of 2021.

For those facing a penalty, a family of four would pay at least $2,000, and potentially more, for not having health insurance throughout 2020.

Covered California is working with the Franchise Tax Board, which will administer the penalty, to alert Californians about the new law and reduce the number of uninsured people in our state.

New State Subsidies The second new policy for 2020 is new financial help for eligible Californians that will lower the cost of their coverage. Last week, Covered California announced that nearly 500,000 people who had already signed up for coverage in 2020 will be receiving the new subsidies.

On average, consumers between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will receive $21 per household, per month on top of their federal tax credits. Meanwhile, for the first time in the nation, people who earn between 400 and 600 percent of the federal poverty level will be receiving an average of $460 per month, per household.

“California will be making history this year, becoming

the first state in the nation to make coverage more affordable for middle-income people like small-businesses owners and entrepreneurs,” Lee said. “If you have checked Covered California out before, check again, because you could be eligible for new financial help that will lower the cost of your coverage by hundreds of dollars a month.”

Getting Help Enrolling Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage into Covered California’s https:// apply.coveredca.com/lw-shopandcompare/.

Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can: • Visit www.coveredca.com.

• Get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.

• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.

• Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

California’s open-enrollment period continues through Jan. 31, 2020, but people who enroll after Dec. 20 will have their coverage start Feb. 1.

Residents of Minnesota, Rhode Island, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and the District of Columbia should visit www.HealthCare.gov to be directed to their state exchange to enroll. Enrollment in Idaho’s health exchange ends today.

A4

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Entertainment

Thursday, December 19, 2019

RISE OF SKYWALKER is almost here, but a dark side looms

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – When Disney bought Lucasfilm for more than $4 billion in 2012, there were lofty expectations of reviving “Star Wars” in spectacular hyper-speed fashion with a new trilogy that continued the story of Luke Skywalker and other beloved characters.

The space saga has been a smart investment, starting with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which in 2015 became the fastest movie to reach $1 billion. Despite the financial success, there's been a dark side _ fierce criticism of the new trilogy amplified by social media.

Some fans have attacked the story lines, which have shifted away from Skywalker toward a new generation of characters. The new films are more inclusive and feature a diverse cast and a focus on a female protagonist, Daisy Ridley's Rey, leading to volleys of racist and sexist remarks directed at the franchise's newest stars.

With “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” opening in theaters Dec. 20, director J.J. Abrams expects more backlash. Especially since the new film _ which he calls the “aftermath of Luke Skywalker and his sister Princess Leia” – is the final installment of a nine-part movie series that began 42 years ago.

“There are some people who, in this age of outrage, need to be vitriolic and hurtful, and that's not right,” said Abrams, who returns after directing “The Force Awakens.”

He co-wrote and directed “Rise of Skywalker” after handing over the reins to Rian Johnson for 2017's “The Last Jedi,” a blockbuster that received mostly positive reviews from movie critics but remains divisive among hardcore fans.

Several thousand fans signed a petition for Disney to remake “The Last Jedi,” which showed Luke Skywalker as a surly recluse disillusioned with his powers. Even Mark Hamill, who played Skywalker in five films, said it was tough for him to comprehend the story's arc and see his character's idealism fade. Johnson has said he received death threats from online trolls.

Abrams is a longtime “Star Wars” fan and understands fans are passionate. But he draws the line when comments attempt to demoralize the film's cast or production, which he says is a cultural issue, not a “Star Wars” one.

“That in no way is a “Star Wars” phenomenon,” Abrams told The Associated Press. “That is a cultural phenomenon. If you're not in the right political party, you're against us. If you're not doing exactly what they want, then you're an abomination. It's sort of par for the course in everything right now.”

Abrams said “Rise of Skywalker” is no way an apology for the previous film. The director said he's not worried about potential backlash or feeling any pressure heading into the release.

“If you're being crushed by a car and an elephant stands on the car, it's irrelevant,” he said. “Like, it doesn't matter. There's a point at which the insanity of what it means to be working on a `Star Wars' movie blinds you.

Anything past that threshold is just additional light, noise and weight. I know it's a lot. But you have to embrace and accept the responsibility that you've got. You want people to laugh and cry. That emotion can't come if you're constantly looking over your shoulder of what the studio might feel or the logistics or what the fans are saying. All you can do is the best job you can.”

“Rise of Skywalker” faces galactic expectations. The filmmakers have promised it will be the conclusion of the Skywalker saga, a lineage that traces from Darth Vader through his grandson, the powerful Dark Side enforcer Kylo Ren. “The Force Awakens” marked the first time the original trilogy's characters, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and his sister Leia, would return to the big screen, though the focus has now shifted to new characters.

Ridley said she doesn't feel the weight of expectations mostly because she's not on social media. However, she said she intends to shut her cellphone off when the film premieres.

The actress learned when she signed on to play in “The Force Awakens” that she needed to find ways to block out the noise. Ridley said it helped that she didn't know much about Star Wars before joining the franchise.

“I wasn't questioning all of these small things that mega fans pick up,” said Ridley, whose character was criticized for being unrealistically perfect. Some also questioned why Rey was able to obtain Jedi-like abilities much quicker than Luke Skywalker.

“I think if I had, I would've never gotten through the day,” she said. “I had not thought about people comparing me to anyone, then suddenly they are. I guess Rey's story is similar to Luke's, but that part never computed. ... Social media does good things. It spreads the word. But I do think in general that people are so quick to be super cruel.”

While Ridley avoided social media, her cast mate Kelly Marie Tran _ who made her debut in “The Last Jedi” as Rose Tico – deleted her Instagram photos after some took aim at her performance, her physical appearance and made

racial comments about her. She was the first Asian woman to play a leading role in a “Star Wars” film.

After she removed her posts, Tran published an essay in The New York Times about the racism she endured online. Tran said the essay was hard to write, but one of the “best things she created.”

“I don't think you know what to expect,” said Tran, who admitted she didn't know much about Star Wars before joining the franchise.

Now, Tran is well aware and told the AP she tries not “to read things or let things into my ether that are not positive.”

“What surprised me is just the depth of which people are passionate about this thing,” she said. “But I just remind myself to protect myself creatively. Do things that feel good.”

Actor John Boyega said he'll miss cashing in those “Star Wars” checks and sometimes verbally sparing with fans online. He's known for speaking his mind on Twitter.

“Sometimes you ignore, sometimes you verbally say something,” said Boyega, who plays Resistance fighter Finn and was among the first cast members to be criticized when a trailer revealed his character was a black Stormtrooper.

“Things can be quite rude,” Boyega said. “But I'm from southeast London. If you give me a spike here, I'll give you a spike back. You take what you give. That's my rule. But apart from that, it's normal. You want them to continue that dialogue, because that's the original origin of their passion.”

Jumanji Ends Frozen 2 Hot Streak to Claim Top Spot

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By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – “Jumanji: The Next Level” puts “Frozen 2” on second-place ice, while Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell” opened with one of the worst box office debuts for the director.

The Sony film starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart brought in $60.1 million in the U.S. and Canada to break a three-day record for a comedy in December for the production company. The sequel is a followup to 2017’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” which grossed $962 million worldwide.

A week before it opened in North America, Sony’s “Jumanji: The Next Level” debuted in 18 international countries where it made $52.5 million. The film was Hart’s first movie release since the actor-comedian suffered a serious back injury after his vintage muscle car he was riding in crashed in California in September.

“People were like `Another reboot’ of a well-known franchise, but the movie delivered so well on the promise of the marketing, and the whole concept of the movie just resonated with audiences,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the box office tracker Comscore. “It’s going to play well in the long haul.”

“Frozen 2” dropped to second place with $19.2 million domestically after claiming top box office spot for three straight weeks, earning $367 million since its Nov. 22 release. The animated film following the adventures of Anna and Elsa crossed the $1 billion mark globally to become Disney Animation’s third billion-dollar project along with “Frozen” and “Zootopia.” It also became Walt Disney Studio’s sixth billion-dollar release in 2019.

“Richard Jewell” landed at No. 4, bringing in $5 million. The film took aim at the media and federal investigators for what he sees as a rush to judgment after the 1996 Olympics bombing in Atlanta.

The 89-year-old Eastwood calls Jewell’s story “a great American tragedy.” The docudrama focuses on Jewell, who was initially hailed as a hero for finding a bomb at the event held at Centennial Olympic Park and clearing bystanders from the area.

One person was killed and 111 were injured when the bomb exploded.

Jewell likely helped prevent many more casualties, but within a few days was reported to be the focus of the FBI investigation, and the public quickly turned on him. He was cleared three months later after his life had been upended by the investigation and public scrutiny.

The film fell under immense scrutiny from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution which objected to the movie’s portrayal of the late journalist Kathy Scruggs, who seemingly sleeps with an FBI agent.

Olivia Wilde, who plays Scruggs, posted a series of tweets on Thursday that she does not believe the real-life journalist “traded sex for tips” despite the insinuation in the movie.

Despite the low numbers, Dergarabedian believes “Richard Jewell” could build a larger audience over time.

“If history tells us anything, movies like this generally are a slow burn at this time of the year,” he said. “But also, let’s think about this too. Because it’s Clint Eastwood, there’s always a certain level of expectation placed on any movie. Often those expectations are overblown a bit. Given the subject matter, it’s aimed at a mature audience. I don’t know if you could expect like `Richard Jewell’ to open $20-$30 million. It’s what you should expect from an adult drama.”

Eastwood’s drug smuggling drama “The Mule” debuted with more than $17.2 million late last year.

Along with “Richard Jewell,” Paramount’s “Black Christmas” put up sub-par debut numbers to open at No. 5. The 1974 slasher film remake from Universal pulled in only $4.42 million.

“It’s a very crowded marketplace right now,” Dergarabedian said. “Obviously, `Jumanji’ had so much broadbased appeal that it cut into everybody’s audiences.”

The Rian Johnson-directed “Knives Out” continues to lean on strong social media buzz to land at No. 3, bringing in $9.2 million. The well-reviewed, innovative whodunit film starring Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris Evans has earned back its budget last week, and now has grossed $78 million.

Next weekend, the box office is expected to be significantly busier with the release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” “Cats” and the expanded release of “Bombshell,” starring Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie.

“Uncut Gems,” starring Adam Sandler, will also expand nationwide next week, but opened in a select five theaters Friday to earn more than $525,000. The thriller focuses on a charismatic New York jeweler, played by Sandler, who is looking for the next big score in a series of high-stake bets.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.

Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Jumanji: The Next Level,” $60.1 million ($85.7 million international).

2. “Frozen 2,” $19.1 million ($55.7 million international).

3. “Knives Out,” $9.2 million ($13.6 million international).

4. “Richard Jewell,” $5 million.

5. “Black Christmas,” $4.42 million ($3.1 million international) 6. “Ford v Ferrari,” $4.1 million ($5.1 million international).

7. “Queen & Slim,” $3.6 million.

8. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” $3.3 million.

9. “Dark Waters,” $2 million.

10. “21 Bridges,” $1.1 million ($1.4 million international).

Thursday, December 19, 2019

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5

Sports

More LA Chargers Players Participate in ’ the NFLs My Cause, My Cleats Campaign

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com We’ve all heard the saying, wear your heart on your sleeve. Instead of wearing their heart on their sleeve, NFL players are wearing their hearts on their feet, in Weeks 14 and 15 of this NFL Season. In support of the My Cause, My Cleats campaign this season, several players will be wearing specially designed cleats promoting off the field causes which are near and dear to their hearts. This article will highlight the multiple Chargers players and the foundations that they have chosen to support.

Justin JonesIn support of his team mentor Thomas Davis, Justin Jones chose to support the Thomas Davis Foundation as he participated in the NFL My Cause, My Cleats campaign. The mission of the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation is to Educate. Empower. Defend. Our foundation is built on these principles and strives to encourage students to develop the essential life and social skills that will make them leaders of tomorrow as told by their website https://www.defendingdreams.org/. Listen to Justin give high praise to Davis and his reasoning for supporting his teammate’s foundation by clicking the following link, https://youtu.be/SzrxTrQTa9k Hunter HenryAfter hearing about the cause in high school through his church. The Los Angeles Chargers Tight End decided to partner with the International justice mission to give recognition to the Human Trafficking situation during the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign this season.

More information about this worthy cause can be found at https://www.ijm.org/our-work. You can hear the passion in Hunter’s voice as he speaks about this particular cause when you click on the link below https://youtu.be/ nZFngpz1NPE Isaac RochelleAs social media has become such an integral part of our everyday lives. Los Angeles Chargers Defensive End Isaac Rochelle began to remind others that there’s nothing more critical than human interaction. His aim to increase

Social Media Awareness is the cause he chose to highlight during the NF’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign. More information about his cause can be found at https:// www.seeyouonsunday.com/ as he sheds more light on this issue during his conversation last week. By clicking on the attached link, you can hear Rochelle speak about the benefits a focus on Social Awareness impacts us all https:// youtu.be/LycMGs7rEo4 Mike WilliamsAs many of you know, Cancer has had an adverse impact on citizens of the United States and around the world. Just about everyone knows someone or knows of someone that had succumbed to this harsh decease. Los Angeles Chargers Wide Receiver Mike Williams is no different. During our brief interview last week, Williams describes why he choose Cancer Awareness as his focus during the NFL My Cause, My Cleats campaign. Click on the link below to hear him explain why he has chosen to bring awareness to this particular campaign, https://youtu. be/oJDHM6znZug As mentioned previously, there are nearly 25 players on the Chargers who have to choose to participate in the My Cause, My Cleats initiative over the past couple weeks. My intentions were to highlight the athletes and the particular cause that they feel passionately about. I commend each of the men I’ve spoken too and that have chosen to bring awareness to these specific causes. In the meantime, you can visit https://www.nfl.com/mycausemycleats to see what other players around the league have chosen to support.

Please let us know your thoughts on the NFL My Cause, My Cleats campaign by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports. com or by sharing your thoughts with me on Twitter @ whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement. Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms, Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Justin Jones (Shoes representing Thomas Davis Foundation).

Marvin Miller Gets to the Baseball Hall of Fame… But No Curt Flood

By Bill Fletcher, Jr. NNPA Newswire Contributor When it was announced on December 8th that the late Marvin Miller, the first executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), had finally been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame I let out a yell of glee! Finally, an individual who did so much for baseball and knocked down so many walls has been recognized.

Transforming an organization—the MLBPA—that was barely functioning into one of the most important labor unions in the USA was no small feat. And opening the door to free agency, which he and his leadership team mastered through brilliant strategy, fundamentally changed baseball.

What was missing in all the excitement was the recognition of the first ‘soldier’ out of the foxhole who, in an act of great courage and sacrifice, laid the foundation for the victory that Miller was able to bring about. Of course, I am referencing the late Curt Flood.

Curt Flood, an African American outfielder for the Professional baseball player Curt Flood, (Photo: St. St. Louis Cardinals, was faced with a forced trade to the Philadelphia Phillies. This was in the late 1960s when Louis Cardinals / Wikimedia Commons)

baseball players were de facto owned by their teams (due to the “reserve clause”). Flood refused the trade and went to Marvin Miller seeking support. Miller and other leaders of the MLBPA asked Flood some tough questions, including whether he was truly ready for the risks associated with taking such a stand. Flood convinced Miller, as well as player leaders such as Roberto Clemente (Pittsburgh Pirates), that he was ready. And he then received their full support.

Flood fought a multi-year court battle, ultimately ending in the Supreme Court, trying to end the reserve clause and institute free agency (the ability of a player, after a specific period of time, to offer his services to the highest bidder). He was ultimately defeated in one of the strangest US Supreme Court decisions ever recorded. Flood was exiled from baseball; went into a tailspin; but, with the help of his second wife, actress Judy Pace and other key friends, was able to reestablish his life. He passed away in 1997.

Flood’s case, though going down in defeat, shook up the baseball world and discredited the reserve clause

system. It laid the foundation for the strategy employed by Miller a few years later to crack the system and introduce free agency. It is as a result of the courage of Flood and the strategy of Miller that Major League players were able to gain the incredible salary improvements seen over the last four decades.

I have, for quite a long time, felt that both Miller and Flood should have been admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both of them, in different and related ways, changed baseball as an industry. Miller’s induction was a great victory, hands down. Flood, however, was the first soldier out of the foxhole; a Rosa Parks-like figure in baseball who knew that though the odds were stacked against him, he was prepared to stand firm.

How could that not merit being admitted into the Hall of Fame?

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and the former president of TransAfrica Forum.

Trojans Pittman Named Walter Camp All-American

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was recently named Walter Camp All-American 2nd team. He and two other So Cal players have received one of the most prestigious honors college football. It’s the 130th year of the oldest All-American Team founded by Camp “The Farther of American Football” in 1890.

During the 2019 campaign he had five 100 yard receiving games including a 10 catch 232 yards against Utah. Pittman finished the year with a team high 95 catches for 1,222 yards and 11 touchdowns (The ladder ranks him 3rd and 6th nationally). He had two thirteen catch games vs Arizona State and UCLA. Pittman also finished runnerup to JaMarr Chase of LSU for the Biletnikoff Award.

The 6-4 sr. from Woodlands Hills (Oaks Christian) helped lead the Trojans to an 8-4 record and a Holiday Bowl appearance.

Pittman Is expected to go in the NFL draft, but will play in the game stating on social media, “Just in case y’all wondering, I am playing in the bowl game.”

Pittman is joined on the 2nd team by Ohio States O-Lineman Wyatt Davis of Bellflower (St. John Bosco) and Boise State’s LB Curtis Weaver from Long Beach (St. Anthony’s). Davis helped lead the Buckeyes to a 13-0 record and had an averages of over 500 yards per game, 272 in the air, and 220 on the ground. After red shirting his freshman season, Davis stepped in for the senior Demetrius Knox.

He played so well he never left the spot.

In 2018 when Knox went down. O-Line coach Greg Studrawa saw Davis excel. “He goes into the Big 10 Championship Game not only blocks but dominates people,” said Studrawa. “His biggest asset now is his physicality.”

While playing locally he was the Los Angeles Times Trinity League Lineman the Year. Scouts, Rivals, and 247 sports all had him as the number one guard in the country. He helped lead the Braves to 13-2 season and a CIF Championship. The 6-4, 315 pound Davis has great Michael Pittman Jr-WCFF All-American. (Courtesy mobility as he played basketball also.

Photo) Boise State’s Weaver was named first team Defensive lineman along with Chase Young of Ohio State. Weaver West Conference record for sacks. a graduate of St Anthony’s in Long Beach. The 6-3, 265 Weaver has racked off a multitude of honors pounder finished the season with 50 tackles 30 of them including MWC Defensive Player of the Year. He also is solo and that includes 13.5 sacks. He also set the Mountain a three time All-Mountain West First Team (2017-2019)

Wyatt Davis-OSU -WCFF All-American. (Courtesy Photo)

Curtis Weaver Boise State -WCFF All-American.

(Courtesy Photo)

member. He has excelled in the classroom being named to the MWC All–Academic West in 2017. He is joined on the first team by Chase Young of Ohio State. They will be taking on Washington in the Las Vegas Bowl.

They all will be honored Jan 18th, 2020 at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut by the Walter Camp Foundation non-profit organization.

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LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Local

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Group Home Operator Sues State for Revoking License

By Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media About two years ago, Calvin Dubois, Executive Director of First Step Group Homes (FSGH) in San Bernardino County, says he made the right call when he subdued and held down an enraged child in his care.

The 17-year-old boy was armed with a six-inch knife outside of the home, according to Dubois.

Video of the June 5, 2017 incident details how Dubois, who is African American, overpowered and held the child down in the front yard of the Rialto home that houses high risk, hard-to-place boys.

Dubois, 33, says his move “saved the child’s life.”

“Calm down, calm down,” Dubois repeated to the boy, who is also Black, in a measured voice after pinning the teen’s wrists to the ground as he held him down, the video footage shows.

But the state of California sees it differently.

The Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) argues that Dubois “verbally taunted” and engaged in behavior that “violated the personal rights of the child.” Last month, CDSS revoked FSGH’s license and dismantled the group home, leading to the displacement of 12 foster children in Dubois’ care.

“The state doesn’t understand the importance of intervening in these situations with Black and Brown kids before the police get involved,” Dubois said. “As if Black kids aren’t being killed everyday.”

Dubois was referencing the scores of recent shootings of Black boys and men by police officers around the country and in California. In many of those cases, the officers suspected the victims were armed and dangerous, as in the case of Joseph Mann, a 51-year-old Black Sacramento man who two police officers shot more than a dozen times and killed. Mann was wielding a 4-inch knife.

Now, the African American-owned-and-operated FSGH has filed a discrimination lawsuit against CDSS. “I was told that I should have closed the door and left him outside, but if he kills himself or gets killed by police, that’s on me,” Dubois said, noting his disagreement with the action the CDSS told him he should have taken.

Neither Dubois nor the child suffered any serious injury during the confrontation.

George Jones, the attorney representing Dubois, said his client’s case reflects a broader pattern of discrimination against Black men working with the state social services system. He also praised FSGH and Dubois’ relationship with the foster youth.

“He’s like their big brother. They think he walks on water,” Jones said.

On Dec. 2, community members and activists assembled at the San Bernardino County Counsel building to support Dubois and FSGH, holding up signs that read “Protect Foster Care Youth” and “Keep People in Power Accountable.”

The Rev. Shane Harris, a social justice activist, spoke in strong support of Dubois at the event, saying, “African Americans have to go through harsher processes with licenses for childcare services. This is where California has failed.”

“The bottom line is that Calvin was trying to protect that child and he’s being punished for it,” Harris said. “He saved this boy’s life and that is exactly the kind of leadership we need.”

Dubois’ main focus is bringing the displaced boys back home, as many of them had become settled into the

San Bernardino County neighborhood, he says.

“They tried to hurt me, and they did. But they also hurt 12 boys who weren’t at fault. Boys who had girlfriends, jobs and lives here who now have no choice where they’re moved to,” Dubois said. “How inhumane is that?”

In an email to California Black Media, Scott Murray, Deputy Director of Public Affairs and Outreach Programs at the CDSS, said “the department cannot comment on litigation.”

However, Murray shared the court order and decision which states, “Constraint is only to be used as a last resort,” according to the “Program Plan.”

“Manual restraints are never approved for use for the purpose of punishment or discipline; harassment or humiliation, or to prevent an individual from leaving the facility, except when the individual is running away and this poses an immediate danger to the individual, among other things,” the document reads.

Since the incident, Dubois’ has been engaged in a battle with the CDSS. According to his timeline of events, his removal came after the CCLD cleared him of his “deficiency” in August of 2018.

But CDSS is defending its right to revoke Dubois’ license.

“The fact that a deficiency has been cleared, however, does not eliminate the authority of the department to seek revocation or suspension of a license, or to seek exclusion of a person, under applicable law,” CDSS states.

Jones expressed dissatisfaction with the process CDSS used to shut down FSGH and revoke Dubois’ license, referring to the agency’s administrative hearings as “kangaroo courts.”

“There were two days of testimonies but [CDSS] won’t give us the transcripts, which means we can’t appeal their decision,” said Jones.

In October, Gov. Newsom signed AB 175, also known as the Foster Care Rights Act, into law. The bill introduced

by California Legislative Black Caucus member Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), revises the rights of children in the care of the state. It makes provisions for foster kids to receive culturally competent care and takes other measures to reduce police intervention, which have led to high rates of kids in foster care crossing over into the juvenile delinquency system.

In an open letter to members of the San Bernardino County community, Dubois claimed that CDSS did not take issue with the way FSGH operates but instead with him being at the helm.“Seeing that the issue was with me, I even offered to step down as executive director so that the boys wouldn’t be disrupted. CCLD denied my offer,” Dubois said.

At the rally, Harris called on Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino) and Gov. Gavin Newsom to investigate the state’s handling of FSGH and Dubois.

As for Dubois, he remains committed to seeing the case through and changing the way, he says, the system operates, especially when it comes to African-American caregivers.

“My team and I will continue to fight until things are turned around, First Step Group Homes’ name is cleared, and all 12 of our boys are back home,” Dubois said. “We are demanding that the State of California look at the systemic way people are being destroyed without due process.”

Press conference for the First Step Group Home in front of the of San Bernardino County building December 2, 2019. (CBM Photo)

Becky G (Ricky Richardson Photo)