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. 27 Volume 34 Number Thursday, May 16, 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 politi cal L so White. He have been H M g to ister he init st sa in gued that nCg his murder trial, id he saw solve the eft F meone’– g should im s pet w la h is te ially thougc WASHINGTON Congresswoman Maxine en p r o p an te o R ro eb th F 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 Waters ey in front of issued honoring nurses place to(CA-43) named Dia plicating the pro McGauirstatement neighbor C 10-year-old daughand and wife Dougesansfully ar- ban re- 43rd that DNA id during the campally ensure justicein na Roper ca secutions’ cl e says wDistrict California’s Congressional and across elonging to ter Jessica an hristopher th d is h ev ai e P en se g an eg id m ai n rv en h e g im . m y e ed fo “N s, ce al g rw ,” ot ouWeek a wom- but testing her former ot only is Hughes. Po d was igger n help d with b t to ch theit country in this caca boyfriend ar thanNurses lice foundan 11-year-old inal. She turned proven in recognition Animal CofobNational a hAmerican se wouldlacow enforcement so2019, ouse cat. eck, h who was aloody clothing the eviden the bloodie E n d v tr which was created in 1993 by the es en o to tr lv l o o th an e y ffi m cr o ed v ce u an io ce over to e imes, d it. rs rushnursing imal hospand ed th the police,lent crim- is bold, he is treagdh Newsom’s decisioat no cost toNurses ital,elevate traumtoa.celebrate the statAssociation African Am where the e.” n in the Cprofession: but they issue that ing carefull it was diagenbleedin ericans, His Stacy M. Brown C o y osed w Dr. Kristi K panics and case watching. alifornia voters acro on a potentially poper“Happy NNPA Newswire Correspondent rauweek other mino National toer all of the sh se, a vet He is keep e expectsNurses olarizing ss the politi rities liv- C in th ar in e ia ca g 1 Although the number of people in prisons and jails n l 1 h spec -pou43rd is focus on phenomenal California’s District , and tells the ne back inin ontinued trum are nurses nd (5-k to th ilogram)are fairness an on page A e wildthe in America has slightly declined, numbers released on the million more aftecountry. cat to be d jufour r it regaiNurses 2 McGuacross st ic e ir n e s strenthe visitindustry, Thursday, April 25, by the Bureau of Justice Statistics still the unsung heroes health that ifofhethe ed the boproviding gth. se b cat on Frid it agpatients show that nearly 1.5 million individuals were in prison by ain, he’llin communities highest quality of care toestheir ay. H sue a tickand the end of 2017. around the world. In recognition of the islifesaving et for jayw The statistics also note that the U.S. continues to lock tireless efforts of the women and men who make up up more people than any other nation. And, despite a the nursing profession, it is imperative that we support narrowing disparity between incarcerated black and white policies that increase pay for nurses and make nursing women, females have emerged as the new face of mass education more accessible and affordable for those who incarceration. are interested in nursing careers. This week, and every Probation is often “I don’t think this should be much of a surprise as week, let us continue to show our sincere gratitude and billed as an alternative to two of the main for-profit prison companies were founded appreciation to all of our nurses, who are truly superb incarceration, but instead around the same time,” said Ron Stefanski, whose website in their specialty areas, tender in the care that they it is frequently set with prisoninsight.com, works to hold prisons accountable for provide, and deserving of our utmost respect.”apper unrealistic conditions the treatment of current, former and future inmates. Kodak Black Arrested that undermine its goal “When these for-profit companies were created, they of keeping people from found a way to generate revenue off of inmates and this MIAMI (AP) – Officials say Florida rapper Kodak being locked up, she wrote led to a huge influx of prisoners, both male and female,” Black was arrested on federal and state weapons charges for the Prison Policy Stefanski said. just before he was to perform at a hip-hop festival. Initiative. For example, In 2000, black women were incarcerated at six times The U.S. Marshals office says in a news release probation often comes the rate of white women, but in 2017, black women were that the 21-year-old Black was taken into custody with steep fees, which, like imprisoned at less than double the rate of white women, Saturday at the Rolling Loud Music Festival at Hard bail, women are in the according to the latest information. Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The statement didn’t worst position to afford. The number of white women in prison has increased elaborate. by more than 40 percent since 2000 while the number of Authorities say Black will make an initial appearance in Miami federal court Monday. Court records don’t list Continued on page A3 a lawyer for him. His real name is Bill Kapri. Photo: Courtesy The Marshall Project/PBS The rapper has been arrested numerous times previously, including last month on drug and weapons charges as he crossed from Canada into the U.S. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Miami-Dade County police were also involved in the most recent arrest.
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STROKE
Awareness Month
By Roger Caldwell NNPA Newswire Contributor May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and it is very significant to me, because I am a stroke survivor. As a stroke survivor, I consider myself to be a miracle. One of my goals in life is to educate Americans (particularly Black men), that 80% of strokes can be prevented with knowledge and education. Strokes have the potential to be a silent killer, and nearly 85% of all strokes that occur show no warning signs. Although there are no major warning signs, there are risk factors, diseases, and health issues, which make an
individual more susceptible to having a stroke. High blood pressure (hypertension) is the number one cause in the country for a stroke and it can be regulated with medicine, a proper diet, monitoring your blood pressure and a healthy lifestyle. “Healthcare in one of the wealthiest countries on the face of this earth is not a primary focus or concern. In this society, many people are not interested in improving their health. They prefer to take a chance and hope that
Learn Your Numbers
Know your numbers, take your medication, educate your children, and adult family members, and talk about your health. Visit a physician on a regular basis. Take control of your health, your life depends on it. Remember at any age a person can have a stroke, but as you get older you are more susceptible to having a stroke. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)
Continued on page A3
Unite Malawi and African Diaspora By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent On May 21, 2019 the national elections in Malawi will mark a quarter of a century of multi-party democracy in this developing sub-Saharan African nation. Prior to that, most published reports in the western news media negatively defined the nation as a democratic “dictatorship.” When all of the votes are counted this month, Rev. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, a top contender for the presidency, hopes to unify and provide strategic progressive leadership for this landlocked African nation of nearly 19 million citizens. “We are winding up what’s been a wonderful campaign by going all over this country and talking to people,” Dr. Chakwera told NNPA Newswire in an exclusive interview where he also noted the global importance of the America’s Black Press. “We have a message of super high-five servant leadership that’s uniting this country and making sure everyone prospers alongside everyone else,” Dr. Chakwera said. A longtime religious leader who has played a prominent role in helping to change the selfperceptions of his countrymen, Dr. Chakwera said that the past history of corruption in Africa is ending through more democracy and participation by all the people of Africa
“That’s when things came to a head. I had thought about serving the nation in many ways and I thought what I was already doing was sufficient,” Dr. Chakwera said.
for a better more sustainable economic, social and political future. “We need to follow the rule of law because a whole lot of impunity is going on, and for Malawians everywhere, we promise to start building a new Malawi at the end of this month,” he said. Prior to running for the presidency, Dr. Chakwera helmed the Malawi Assemblies of God for more than 25 years – a position that he was democratically elected to seven consecutive times. A renowned author, mentor and administrator,
Dr. Chakwera also chaired the Board for Pan African Theological Seminary; All Nations Theological Seminary, and he has served as board member for Global University in Springfield, Missouri. Born on April 5, 1955, Dr. Chakwera once chaired the Association for Pentecostal Theological Education in Africa and he served as a member for the Public Universities Working Committee of Malawi. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chancellor College of the University of Malawi and a Bachelor of Continued on page A3
Observer Interactive Video
Dennis Rodman Accused of Stealing
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) – The owner of a Southern California yoga studio is accusing Dennis Rodman of helping three people steal more than $3,500 in merchandise from his business. Ali Shah says security cameras captured the former NBA star walking into Vibes Hot Yoga in Newport Beach on Tuesday with his alleged accomplices. Shah said the four worked together to distract an employee so they could steal clothes and a 400-pound (181-kilogram) amethyst crystal from the front desk. Shah said Rodman returned Wednesday and tried to distract a different employee while a female companion grabbed clothes that were on display. Police told the Los Angeles Times they were investigating the matter and no one has been arrested. Rodman told TMZ that the studio’s owner offered him the clothes as gifts in exchange for moving the crystal.
Officer Called Black Men Racist Slur
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) – A Maryland police officer was recorded using a racist slur to refer to several detained black men. News outlets report Montgomery County police are investigating the Thursday incident, which was livestreamed on Instagram by one of the men. Police were called to a Silver Spring McDonald’s on Thursday morning for a report of trespassing. Responding officers questioned the black men and searched their belongings. The department released body camera video Thursday. One man calls the officers the slur, and a blond white officer uses the slur to refer back to the men. The man says the woman probably wouldn’t use the slur if she wasn’t wearing her badge. The officer says she’s just repeating the man’s words. Acting police Chief Russ Hamill says mimicking another person’s language is no excuse.
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Senator Kamala Harris of California announced her 2020 presidential bid on the campus of Howard University, surrounded by her friends and family. Howard University NewsVision’s Maya Reese has more on this national story. (Download “Observer Interactive” to see the story here)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Facebook is raising how much it pays U.S. contractors who do some of its most taxing work, including watching violent and other objectionable material for possible removal from the service. Facebook will pay at least $18 an hour for these jobs. Those in New York City, Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area will get $22 per hour. Facebook didn’t immediately respond to inquiries on what it was paying them before. The content review jobs are psychologically taxing. Facebook has been criticized for not paying the workers enough and not providing enough support. Facebook said Monday it’s adding tools for content moderators to have graphic images blurred out or shown in black and white before they see it. The company says it’s looking into “similar standards’’ outside the U.S.