Valley's News Observer 4.22.21 4C

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Five Years After His Death, New Music Arrives from Prince

Bill Aims to End Homelessness and Make Housing a Basic Human Right

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News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 36 Number 23

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Free!

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Blue Wall Dented as Minneapolis Jury Verdict Shows a EXPLAINER: Can

Black Life Mattered

During the more than two-week trial, the defense called seven witnesses while prosecutors brought 38 people to the stand, including EMT workers, forensic experts, law enforcement officers, and individuals who watched as Chauvin ignored Floyd’s pleas that he could not breathe. By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
 Black Lives Matter. George Floyd’s life mattered. A mixed-race jury in Minneapolis returned a guilty verdict against former police officer Derek Chauvin on Tuesday, April 20, potentially sending the ex-cop to prison for the rest of his life. The panel, which included six Whites and six Black or multiracial individuals, also sent the kind of message that activists, community leaders, and a myriad of Black people the world over has attempted to get across to American law enforcement: Black Lives Matter. “Count one… guilty. Count two… guilty… Count three… guilty,” announced Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill. Chauvin was convicted on charges of second-and thirddegree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd pleaded for his life and his mother as Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes last May. Floyd’s death led to protests worldwide and the rallying cry that “Black Lives Matter” finally gained momentum in spaces where it largely had been ignored. President Joe Biden watched the verdict reading from the

The three other police officers involved in Floyd’s death are scheduled to be tried together In August. They face charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.

White House and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of emergency, closing schools and sending out hundreds of additional National Guard troops to the Minneapolis area. Law enforcement officials and city leaders in the District of Columbia, New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and other major cities canceled vacations and leave in preparation for potential unrest. Hennepin County public employees were ordered to go home early, and thousands of people gathered around the courthouse in anticipation of the verdicts. Officials installed a new steel gate and concrete barriers near and around police headquarters in Minneapolis. Nearby businesses boarded up windows and added additional door locks. The jury’s decision gave most reasons to breathe a sigh of relief that the family of a Black victim of police violence finally

received justice. As a result of the guilty verdicts, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill could sentence the 45-year-old Chauvin to more than 40 years in prison. During the more than two-week trial, the defense called seven witnesses while prosecutors brought 38 people to the stand, including EMT workers, forensic experts, law enforcement officers, and individuals who watched as Chauvin ignored Floyd’s pleas that he could not breathe. During closing arguments, Chauvin’s defense attempted to pin Floyd’s death on drugs and pre-existing heart conditions, prosecution witness Dr. Martin Tobin strongly refuted that testimony. He called not plausible the defense medical expert Dr. David Fowler’s idea that carbon monoxide from vehicle exhaust also helped to cause Floyd’s death. “I believe it is not reliable,” Dr. Tobin asserted. The three other police officers involved in Floyd’s death are scheduled to be tried together In August. They face charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. Judge Cahill told the jury that he would sequester them during deliberations. “Plan for long, and hope for short,” Judge Cahill said. But that proved far from prophetic as the panel came back after spending one night sequestered in a hotel where they deliberated for about four hours on Monday. Jurors returned on Tuesday, and at about 2 p.m., they reached a unanimous decision on each count after about six more hours of discussion. “For the rest of the country, this will be a historic decision,” Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, told reporters. “But for the family, this is a personal, personal issue. An issue that is deeply personal for every single member.”

I Just Want My Baby Home Says Distraught Mom of Unarmed Black Man Killed by Police By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
 Katie Wright, the mother of the 20-year-old African American man shot and killed by police a short distance from a Minneapolis courtroom where former cop Derek Chauvin stands trial for the murder of George Floyd, is searching for answers. Wright, and a frustrated community that still has not wrapped its head around Floyd’s very avoidable murder, said there was no reason for officers to shoot Daunte Wright, Sr. “My son was 20-years-old,” Katie Wright reminded journalists and community members, just hours after her son’s fatal police encounter. “He got pulled over for having air fresheners in the car that I just gave him,” she forcefully explained. “All he did was have air fresheners in the car, and they told him to get out of the car.” Brooklyn Center police officials claimed officers pulled Wright over for a traffic violation. The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. in the 6300 block of Orchard Avenue in Brooklyn Center. Police officials said Wright, the father of a one-yearold son, had an outstanding warrant. When they attempted to arrest him, Wright retreated inside his vehicle. “One officer discharged their firearm, striking the

driver, and the vehicle traveled several blocks before striking into another vehicle,” authorities wrote in a statement, which failed to address why police shot the unarmed Wright. A female passenger in Wright’s vehicle reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries. “People in the Twin Cities, especially young Black people, are outraged by the police killing of Daunte Wright,” Mel Reeves, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder editor, declared. The Spokesman-Recorder, one of the 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies represented by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), has continued to cover the trial of Chauvin, who faces multiple counts of murder in the death of Floyd last May. “Wright was unarmed, and there is no apparent or logical reason why Brooklyn Center police would have shot him during a traffic stop,” Reeves remarked. Al McFarlane of Insight News also expressed concern about the latest incident. Insight News also is a member of the NNPA. McFarlane said his newspaper is monitoring the matter and he also plans to discuss it on his “Conversations with Al McFarlane” radio program that airs at 1 p.m. daily in the Twin Cities. Katie Wright said as officers pulled her son over, he

Martine and Reggie Ellis enjoying their season seats at So-Fi Stadium at the “RAMS HOUSE PREMIERE” (Photo: Earl Heath)

Carson High Alum. She’s also a solid team member of West Shores Realty, one of the most prestigious real estate companies in the greater Los Angeles Area. The Ellis’s like so many others have been craving to attend a live game for several months, now as they sat in their seats and watched as the Oculus 4 sided Video Board played music while showing games highlights from last season. Ram Cheerleaders were also doing routines. “Were excited to welcome our Season Ticket Members to SoFi Stadium so they can experience firsthand the iconic building that Stan Kroenke envisioned for our fans, our teams and our city,” said Rams COO Kevin Demoff. “It’s a Stadium designed for them and Los Angeles and we cannot wait to see them bring the Rams House to life” Times were staggered beginning at 9:00 AM as seat holders received complimentary tickets online. By days end approximately 35 thousand fans had visited the stadium and were permitted to stay for an hour. All guest were required to wear mask and stay as close to the section where their seats were located to help with social distancing. “Ain’t nothing like being at a Rams game,” said Tony Deleon of Pico Rivera. He’s been a fan since the seventies. He has purchased seven season seats for himself and family. “We supported them before they even moved to Anaheim.” Deleon was wearing an Aaron Donald 99 jersey surrounded by his family taking in the sounds of the stadium. “This place is great and I’m really happy about being able to the finance the seats,” he added. We as a country are coming off a pandemic many people were out of work and some just starting back to work. The Rams understand this and they have created financing plans to assist fans who wanted to purchase season seats. “We want everyone to be able to come to the Stadium. It’s built for all fans no matter what background or where they’re from,” stated Demoff. “Some people have been waiting for three years to actually get in the place.”

By DENISE LAVOIE Associated Press The mother of a 20-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by Minnesota police this week says it all started when police pulled her son over for having air fresheners hanging from his rearview mirror. How, some might ask, can air fresheners be the basis for a traffic stop? The answer: Minnesota is one of a number of states with laws that prohibit drivers from hanging objects from their rearview mirrors on the grounds that the items could obstruct their view. The laws have led to vehement complaints from civil rights advocates who say police can use them as a pretext for stopping Black motorists. Daunte Wright was pulled over Sunday by police in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. Police said he was stopped for having expired car registration tags, but Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, said he called her just before he was shot and said he’d been pulled over because of the air fresheners hanging from his rearview mirror. Police tried to arrest Wright after realizing he was wanted on an outstanding warrant. In the ensuing scuffle, Officer Kim Potter shot him. The city’s police chief, who resigned Tuesday, said he believed Potter meant to fire her Taser, not her gun. Potter, who also resigned, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. HOW MANY STATES PROHIBIT DRIVERS FROM HANGING OBJECTS FROM THEIR MIRRORS AND WINDSHIELDS? At least five other states _ California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas and Illinois _ have such laws, but the total number is unclear. The National Conference of State Legislatures does not track such legislation. The American Civil Liberties Union, which has sharply criticized such traffic stops, was unsure how many states allow them. Minnesota’s law does not specifically mention air fresheners, but says a person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle with “any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield,” with certain exceptions, including sun visors, rearview mirrors and electronic toll collection devices. In Virginia, it is still illegal to hang objects in a way that could obstruct a driver’s view, but last year state legislators changed the law so that police can no longer stop a vehicle solely for that offense. Under the new law, police must have another primary reason to first stop a driver. Brad Haywood, executive director of Justice Forward Virginia, an advocacy organization for criminal justice reform, said as a public defender, he’s represented dozens of people who have been pulled over for having items dangling from their rearview mirrors, including air fresheners and rosary beads. “I do not remember in my career as a defense attorney representing someone stopped for an obstructed view who was white,” he said. “It’s just been Black and brown people.” WHAT DO POLICE SAY ABOUT THESE LAWS?

Katie Wright said as officers pulled her son over, he called her. “I heard someone say ‘Daunte, don’t run,’” she recalled.

called her. “I heard someone say ‘Daunte, don’t run,’” she recalled. Wright said her son’s girlfriend answered the phone

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Ram Fans Finally Visit Their House By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer There were screams of joy and smiling faces, many with raised arms as Ram fans entered So-Fi Stadium for the first time. They are the die-hards that live with every down of the team. They are the nurse, the construction worker, the real estate person, the businessman and women. Because of COVID-19 they were all cheated out of a chance to cheer on the Rams live in Their House. The “RAMS HOUSE.” Los Angeles was one of the California teams not allowed to have people in the stands last season. “I thought I was going to lose my mind,” said Reggie Ellis. “I understood the reason why but I was still pissed.” He and his wife Martine have been Ram fans for more than fifty-years. He’s a graduate of nearby Washington Prep and she’s a

Cops Stop Drivers for Hanging Air Fresheners?

Police say traffic stops for minor violations have helped them solve more serious crimes, including drug trafficking, illegal firearms possession and shootings. They often cite the case of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, who was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper for driving without a license plate about 90 minutes after the 1995 explosion that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. Joe Gamaldi, a police sergeant in Houston who is the national vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he would be “hard-pressed” to find a police officer he’s worked with who has stopped a motorist simply for having air fresheners dangling from the rearview mirror. But he said traffic stops for minor violations can lead to police finding evidence of other crimes. “There are times where we simply stop someone because they have a taillight out and then that leads to an investigation of drugs, guns _ and that gun is about to be used in a drive-by shooting _ and because we are able to stop that car, we are able to prevent that,” he said. “If you don’t want someone stopped for an air freshener or even a (motor vehicle) equipment issue, you need to go to your legislature and have the law changed,” he said. ARE THERE OTHER CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STOPPED FOR AIR FRESHENERS?

Tony Deleon center wearing 99 has purchased seven season seats for his family. Deleon from Pico Rivera has been a Ram fan since the 1970’s. (Photo: Earl Heath)

Located at Hollywood Park in the City of Inglewood. So-Fi Stadium part of a 300-acre sports and entertainment destination. It is literally “The house that Kroenke built” seats 70,000 but is expandable to 100,000 or more with 260 luxury suites and more than 13,000 premium seats. It is the largest Stadium in the NFL and the first indoor outdoor stadium. It is set to host Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022. That will be followed by the College Football National Championship game in 2023. Demoff summed it up best: “I’ve walked through this building hundreds of times without fans and now to see how it’s going to be. We miss the fans and looking at some of the faces today, they can see this is where they belong. “

In Arizona, La Paz County Sheriff’s Deputy Eli Max was fired about five months after he pulled over a 22-year-old Black man in September 2019 for having an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. The Phoenix News Times first reported the encounter between the sheriff’s deputy and Phillip Colbert. In a video recorded by Colbert and later posted on YouTube, Max can be heard telling Colbert he pulled him over because of a small pine tree air freshener. Max asks Colbert repeatedly whether he smokes marijuana, and whether he has any cocaine or heroin. Colbert was not arrested and did not receive a ticket. In Bakersfield, California, the city agreed to a $60,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by a Black man who alleged he was arrested in 2017 when he refused to answer questions after police stopped the car he was riding in for trivial reasons, including air fresheners hanging from the rearview mirror. The lawsuit said the man was jailed for 12 hours but was never charged with a crime. The city made no admission of liability. In Chicago, police pulled over two Black men in September 2018 for having an air freshener hanging from a rearview mirror. Officers found weapons in the vehicle, and charged the men with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The men argued that the evidence should be suppressed because the air freshener was not sufficient probable cause for the traffic stop. A federal appeals court found that the stop was lawful, saying police had reasonable suspicion to suspect that the tree-shaped air freshener obstructed the driver’s view in violation of the city municipal code.


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