w inmate ged inciden Cooper’s m’s decision cou Flori t was making ouda Today reports thca Hills famil1985 conviction inld lead to the overtu t. e y th rn A an e u in th k d g il o ling of a ru their 11-y ri Enough Of of has the Your Lovtie”es say the o Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino an d agree s. Th cal watcher s say, to de case Both the C ivide alifornia an and more th d nited S past appeals an a dozen lower U tates suprem courts hav . e rejected Ce courts “I take no p ooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g terest. N igh-profile case that said in his execu uilt or intiv York Times has drawn Sen. Kamew internatioen order ’ co 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer lum alaGet nistby app for free downloading Harthe N ris an ic have all ca1. h o las Kristof, al ind reality T Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your for Google U itlled from orV The App .S starApple re-testingPlay forensic tech . using curren Kim Kardashian SUL n o tablet or smartphone. lo g y. t, more sen The AStore gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P CLU and o sitive groups hav th er m attress befboroke into a Louisiaonlice h a deeper in e also urged Califuoman rights and soci ho News ouretl officers arrested haim ves gation rnia state o al et into Cooper . fficials to lajustice s Gov. Newtiso sp q u o k o es te m Mel E unch ’s convictio m’s order F tion issued stes in ThSuulphur officers saan n . ri d b ay y e w fo rs x d rmer Gov. pan test four costume. ThJeremie Moran wal ay re rry Brownds previous direcking th ey had rece lowed analpyieces of crime scenJe in so D n looking in ec e em st ev an orange s to perform DN idence. Brown’s ber to to homes.ived calls abou E to A stes prosecutors wel; and the han re-testing on a tanorder al- bo proached bsays Moran ran in dle dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; a hom R In this new used in theand sheath of a hat y ch en arges incluut was discovered to chet Joshua Ryen, the ’s home with a tota murders. investigatio hiding. ding resistin of hair from tr y, l v n w m o ic , f o ti et an 1 g u th m h 4 n al s will lo an 3 e victims’ h s’ d on his th poss sion button Co ands, bloyost and wearinofficer, roat. He w8-year-old son, suffsterab wounds. ing in the San B k at strand tack. In Louisiaes oper’s atto d samplesoan g as the only tigators pla er s ed n n rn a, th ar a ey a e d in sl in p al as N er p le o h o ublic can b son convicatemas gations Co County are survivor of Angeles Co nted at the scene rman Hile mainta d a green le After Coopers’s o e D do p n th se er .A o m e t n ’s .’s o su tenced to atst. Exceptio atto rprised abo o ce. Man three ye vestigation unty Superior Couof the crime. A reins inves- al gally stayed in a h jail break, investig ns are allow ut racial biaffi y of themrneys are making ab h o li d . ay ators found so say they tired Los ouse next rt judge wil se ed s s o like Hallow for religiou do fo , e il- complaints and discriminatio frequently compla ut their l oversee th Coo er, 61 een and M It’s unclea in about are handled n in the w e in- family’s station uwnd evidence in theoRr to the victims. hTh , has main ar years. Hispla r if g an M m g ay . o ag en y ta ey Ju p ra en o th ro t. in n has a ladwi Gras st last mon n that tied ’s home and eir cases or secutor Mic For some, G by Gov. N wyers hope the resu ed his innocence th u C yer w n , in o h d a o ae er o p th S v. Bernardino help prove ewsom, which cou lts of the re-testin over the oinf g in the case is beinNewsom’s order toerbto the murders. e on socipalressure for makinlgSelyem, who is Wan h g cr ld it g ro th th m e, o u m ad ta rd ei d e ed resigned et e an k r client’s in er Observer en NA te m rders Jo Newspapers . His insult him. 26 Volume 34 Number Thursday, May 9, 2019 ismSouthern st- chelle Obama,iaU shua Ryenwith dof nocence eanseveral months, wed ay. The lonDCalifornia porters ofuGroup s targeteddforacist and commen ill th an e ,S d finally ex th su ts B . d e rm R la In 1985, a rv fa R ep ck er iv y m en . o F sh il M r ir s y, ooting victi ey are disap st axine Water and Hughes onerate friends an San Diego on four co pointed w s and an uLnady Mi“Unfortun ith the gov all across the statdesup- Los Thomas R. Parkmer. named 26 and an unts of murder. ACt ounty jury convicte at er , Angeles offi el say n a former d ep ce cord - incluescaped prison inmthe time of his arre d Cooper nfor justice in this cay,seover time it seemosr’s decision. , u b ty el head of the ieves This guy is o District st, he was e victims’ d FBI’s in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim innocent,” Cooper. Attorney Jamatters less and leth esire “The evidence “Prior DN ries and the ania – did ss h in e ,” so al to S n an ld re A w n as A B th d er o not help his te er e p n n Cooper, form rape of a m st la so N ar th in n ew n d te e g icl sa d, he was stand.” th aimed ou case. inor erly named in 1958 framed, thYork Times. ld exoneratat Mr. Cooper sougidh in a statement. What has k per’s guilw e cops lied e him have t, agreed to t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep t a th fe all confirm e case goin deral appel and nsylvania. was born Y et ed g la p During his , he was adopted an te er M an su W ec co r. dC as e argum ution and re hen he was urt CooLAKE FOR ents based six monies and allegiv iew the ca’ssedecision in 2004 toooper alive - is and he spenchildhood, his par d renamed Kevin ations of ev Gov. Newvso o re EST n as en is recoverin w stay his exC t co o it o a ts n h n o ab g fl p p m o er ic le h id o juvenile det o ysically abu ti . gat d part of ad q en m re n u D ’s g ce es sc g after bei,nCalif. (AP) – Offici N d te ti ie ta ec A o n st m n ti is ite s p fi io ab st er c en y se n o o in o ev in o rs d ti n le u to als g g id o g struck by u t sc h ro , n centers. In sed nail C co th ence. im k p raisin ence living ad in South a mental low another a police ca g California Governmes early in the al ooper. Theremethods and storiee in several attack, and to ern Californ ro u L n ag te d Californiah. ealth facility in Pen1982, Cooper esca es u rm o o in n e h in r f a ave high ex weapons sworn te thre ped nsylvania b the Orange Beach Police Offi ia. ere used investip tationws.hose supporters onofththe progressive cer Thomas efore movinfrom coulde attackers who werestimony, Joshua Rywen Duri County Reg the “DNA teec e political L so White. He have been H Mc g to ister he init st sa in gued that nCg his murder trial, id he saw solve the eft F meone’s pet when g should im la is te iaisn’t p r lly thoug o p an te o R ro eb th F MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Kentucky Derby p st ic m y se u . e er en ifi . ed rt 1 cu ca ed killed husb 9 h ia Ryen, their t ca . to er te d th se rs ar C co ly at h te su an m ia ta th d cc d fin ng sa ke plaonly ey front of named Dia plicating the pro ce tospectacle the There’sinalso cGfirst neighbor C 10-year-old daughand and wife Dougesansfully ar- ban re- thon M uire weekend that DNA id during the campally ensure justicthe na Roper ca secutions’ cl says whenMay. elonging to ter Jessica an e is100 hristopher d ev ai e P se g an eg id m ai n rv en h e g im . m the Mile Garage Sale. y e ed fo “N s, ce al g rw ,” ot out to ch a wom- but testing her former ot only is Hughes. Po d was bigger n help d with b in this caca boyfriend ar ec thanalong lice foundan 11-year-old inal. She turned provannual Animshopping a houboth en tobargain al Controevent se wouldlacow enforcement solviteThe who was aloody clothing se cat.the k, h the eviden the bloodie E d v es en tr l o o th an y ffi m cr o ed v ce u an iolent crim ce over to e im d g it. rs at im h es ru is n N , al Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the Mississippi River o sh b ew h co o ed ospital, ld, som st to the stat the police, the bleedin trauma. African Am ere it wasThe e. but they issue thathe is treading carefu’sll decision in the C ” ericans, His has been happening for more than twowhdecades. diagsale California o nose y o p o D er n panics and r. a ca K p se w ri o voters across tentiallyfollows atching. H sti Kraufrom Highwaysh35 in Wisconsin Fountain City to d w other mino se p e , o a e ex la v th is ri p et ec zi e k er ng Highway p rities liv- C eeping his ariaWing e 11-p n, llstothe and 61tsinthMinnesota from in Red back into ectrum ar ontinued focus on ofalitical spPrescott ne the wild afoteund (5-kilogramte on page A irness Winona. and justicee r 2 McGuire v it regains st ) cat to be is re it n th ed g th at thea bconvention Pat Mutter, executive . if he seesdirector obcat on Fand it again, of riday. H he’says visitors bureau in Winona, Minnesota, the ll issu e asale tickdraws for jayw people from around the country. It is sponsored byet the Mississippi Valley Partners, which runs a website that lists the sales, addresses and brief description of inventory. Lake City, Minnesota, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Larson says the sale also benefits local restaurants and convenience stores.
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Groovin’ at Obama Blvd. Naming Ceremony/Street Festival
Bobcat Re cover GarageA Sale fteron Being Hit Mississippi PolicRiver e Car Spans 100 Miles in 2 States
LA Prosecutors Say Pair Ran Visa Fraud Scheme Council President Herb Wesson, Congresswomen Karen Bass and other Elected Officials. (courtesy photo)
President Barack Obama Boulevard Naming Sign Unveiling. (courtesy photo)
By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Los Angeles- Saturday, May 4, 2019 is one for the history books. A massive, multi-cultural, diverse crowd gathered on Rodeo Road where Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard intersects, for a day long music festival and President Barack Obama Naming Ceremony. Ain’t no party like a west coast party! Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson was joined by Los Angeles Urban League President and CEO Matthew Lawson and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to officially unveil Obama Boulevard in honor of America’s 44th President of the United States of America. This day consisted of a free day long music and street festival. It was a pleasure to view a sea of people wearing President Obama gear-buttons, caps, scarves, t-shirts, sweatshirts etc. Multi-generation of family members were present for this historic occasion. People from all walks of life, races and cultures were in attendance. Singer Randy Newman got it right when he penned the tune “I Love L.A.” The location selected for the ceremony is where Obama Boulevard will intersect with Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in one of Los Angeles’ most iconic Black neighborhoods-creating one of the most significant African-American points of interest in the country. Los Angeles City Officials gave residents and the world another reason to LOVE L.A! This was a picture-perfect day, neither too hot nor cold, just pleasant with a slight breeze. As I sat down to write, the lyrics for “Groovin” by War sibilated throughout my mind. Sibilate, that’s a word that you don’t hear often. The gates to the celebrations opened at 12 noon. DJ QwestCoast provided the musical soundtrack for the festivities. Radio Personality Kevin Nash served as Master of Ceremony. Katalyst Collective is a ten-piece band from Inglewood, California, who opened the show with a set of Continued on page A3
Black Women In California Say Democratic Party Takes Their Vote and Voice for Granted By Manny Otiko and Tanu Henry California Black Media Black women voters across the state have begun to organize themselves to express dissatisfaction with the California Democratic Party (CDP) and some of its members for overlooking issues that are important to them and taking recent actions that do not advance their interests. They plan to share those grievances with fellow Democrats and officials of the party at the state CPD annual convention May 29 - June 2 in San Francisco.
Tina McKinnor former operations director of the California Democratic Party. (CBM courtesy photo)
Activists have also organized a number of other events, including a rally and march on the State Capitol on June 22 to speak about some of their concerns and celebrate Black womanhood as they consolidate their political presence and power in the state. This Wednesday, another group of African-American women Democrats, Black Woman Organized for Political Action – Political Action Committee (BWOPA-PAC), the oldest and largest Black political fundraising and advocacy organization in the state, will hold a “Legislative Learning Day” in Sacramento. That event is designed to teach Black women to lobby their legislators on issues that are relevant to them. “When someone takes you for granted over and over again, it’s time to seriously reevaluate the relationship,” says Elika Bernard, the executive director of the Sacramentobased non-profit Black Women United. Bernard made the statement in an editorial she shared with California Black Media. “In the case of the California Democratic Party,” Bernard continued, “ it’s time for Black women to rethink our loyalty and commitment.” The view Bernard is expressing is not new. It articulates a widespread sense among Black women Democrats – who are becoming one of the most powerful voting blocs in the country - that the Democratic party relies on their support during elections but rarely rewards or reciprocates it. During the last election, 94 percent of Black Women voted for Hilary Clinton. Black women are also largely credited for electing Democrat Doug Jones over his Republican rival in a special election for the US Senate last year in Alabama, one of the reddest Red states in terms of its GOP majority and tendency to consistently vote for Republicans. According to APVoteCast, a political polling service, Black women votes were responsible for the majority of the Democratic Party wins during the last national midterm elections. “While the Democratic Party has talked a good game about making space for Black women in leadership, we’ve seen time and time again that these words ring hollow,” said
Dezie Woods-Jones, a Democratic party activist, former vice mayor of Oakland and state president of BWOPAPAC. Critiquing her party, Bernard cites the way some California Democrats are treatingKimberly Ellis, an African-American woman and progressive Democrat from Richmond, California. She is on the verge of becoming chair of the CDP if she wins the election at the state convention later this month. In 2017, Ellis lost the election for chair by a thin margin to now embattled former chair Eric Baumann, who resigned last year after allegations of sexual harassment by two staffers. Ellis has picked up key endorsements from a wide range of progressive and moderate groups, including the Silicon Valley Democratic Club and BWOPA-PAC. California US Reps. Jackie Speier (D-CA 14th District), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA 11th District) and Ro Khanna (D -CA 17th District) have all thrown their support behind her. But when the executive board of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC) voted to endorse Ellis at their April meeting, Bernard says, that decision was rejected and overturned by its membership. “Immediately questions of the approval threshold were brought up and the rules changed from a simple majority to ⅔ majority vote,” Bernard told CBM. Then, there’s the case of Tina McKinnor, another African-American Democrat and former operations director of the CDP. Late last year, the acting chair of the CDPAlexandra Gallardo-Rooker, who took over after Bauman resigned, fired her. McKinnor has now filed a lawsuit against the CDP alleging discrimination because she is Black and retaliation because she helped another colleague file a sexual harassment compliant against Bauman. In the filing papers obtained by CBM, McKinnor accuses Bauman of taking job responsibilities from her, Continued on page A3
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Los Angeles County prosecutors say two people bilked seven Chinese nationals out of $1.5 million in an immigration fraud scheme. The district attorney’s office said Monday the victims were promised visas in return for investments in one of five restaurants owned by one of the defendants. Prosecutors say the defendants are not attorneys or registered immigration consultants. Thirty-four-year-old Nianfei Bu of West Covina faces 12 counts of grand theft by fraud involving the Chinese nationals. Thirty-seven-year-old Hourong Zhang of Rowland Heights is charged with eight counts of grand theft by fraud. Bu is also charged with four counts of grand theft for allegedly not paying wages to employees hired to help contact potential investors. The defendants could not be immediately reached for comment because they remained jailed pending arraignment.
Man Badly Injured After Falling into Hawaii Volcano
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii (AP) – A man was seriously injured after crossing a safety barrier and falling into a Hawaii volcano crater, authorities said. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park rangers and Hawaii Island fire crews rescued the man Wednesday night after he fell 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 meters) at Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater on the Big Island, The Honolulu StarAdvertiser reported Thursday. A military helicopter airlifted the man in critical condition to Hilo Medical Center. The man, who was not named and is in his 30s, climbed over a metal railing at the Steaming Bluff overlook before falling from a 300-foot (91-meter) cliff. A visitor reported the fall around 6:30 p.m., park officials said. The man was found more than two hours later seriously injured on a narrow ledge about 70 feet (21 meters) from the edge. Emergency personnel completed a “high-angle extrication using ropes and stokes litter,’’ officials said. “Visitors should never cross safety barriers, especially around dangerous and destabilized cliff edges,’’ Chief Ranger John Broward said in a statement.
Dodgers Playing Better
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Dodgers are 7-3 in the last 10 starts (At press time). They have scored at least 7 runs three times or more in that span. They also have won 3 of the last 5 series including a sweep of the Pittsburg Pirates. They are winning at home and playing .500 (10-10) on the road, which is usually a success for a divisional title. Cody Bellinger is continuing to lead the league in batting 403 and slugging 848. Rookie Alex Verdogo is close behind.
John Singleton to be Laid to Rest
LOS ANGELES (AP) – A representative for John Singleton says the director will be laid to rest in a small, private ceremony on Monday in Los Angeles. The representative says Singleton’s family is planning a public memorial for a later date. No further details were released. The “Boyz N the Hood’’ director died Monday at age 51, days after suffering a stroke. Singleton became the youngest best director Oscar nominee for the film. He was also nominated for writing its screenplay. Singleton went on to direct numerous other films, including “Poetic Justice’’ and an installment in the “Fast and Furious’’ franchise, as well as several television episodes. The director has been praised by contemporaries for blazing a trail for black filmmakers.